Tanya Saracho

Tanya Saracho is a celebrated Mexican-American playwright and television writer whose work explores themes of identity, language, class, and Latinx culture with depth, humor, and authenticity. Born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, and raised on the U.S.-Mexico border in McAllen, Texas, Saracho has long drawn inspiration from her bicultural upbringing. She began her artistic career in Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene, where she co-founded Teatro Luna, the first all-Latina theatre company in the United States, dedicated to amplifying Latina voices and stories.

Saracho’s early work as a playwright garnered national attention for its fresh perspective and lyrical language. Her plays—including Mala Hierba, Fade, Enfrascada, and El Nogalar—often blend Spanglish dialogue, layered female characters, and critiques of class and privilege within the Latinx community. El Nogalar, a reimagining of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard set in northern Mexico during the drug war, exemplifies her talent for combining classical influences with contemporary social issues.

Transitioning to television, Saracho quickly made a name for herself as a staff writer on shows such as Devious Maids, Looking, Girls, and How to Get Away with Murder. In 2018, she broke new ground as the creator and showrunner of Starz’s Vida—a groundbreaking series centered on two Mexican-American sisters navigating identity, gentrification, and family secrets in East Los Angeles. Vida received critical acclaim and was celebrated for its all-Latinx writers’ room, queer representation, and cultural authenticity.

Saracho is also a prominent advocate for equity and inclusion in Hollywood. She co-founded the Untitled Latinx Project, an initiative aimed at increasing Latinx representation in film and television, and frequently speaks on issues of diversity, access, and systemic change in the entertainment industry. Her commitment to mentorship and structural transformation has made her a leading voice in the movement for industry reform.

Tanya Saracho’s work—on both stage and screen—has expanded the landscape of American storytelling. With a unique voice that bridges cultures and a deep commitment to community, she continues to shape narratives that challenge stereotypes, celebrate complexity, and center underrepresented experiences. Whether writing for the stage or leading a TV series, Saracho brings truth, beauty, and urgency to everything she creates.