A spinoff of On My Block, titled Freeridge, has been ordered at Netflix. Created by the trio of Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft, On My Block debuted in March 2018. The series began by following young friends Monse, Ruby, Jamal, and Cesar. These four smart and streetwise teenagers moved from personal triumph to pain, all while dealing with the responsibilities of high school in the rough inner-city area of Freeridge. The show’s cast includes Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, and Julio Macias.
On My Block season 4, set to make its Netflix premiere on Monday, October 4, will be the show’s last outing. Consisting of ten episodes, season 4 features a two-year time jump. After the core characters have each gone their separate ways, a new secret is uncovered and the protagonists discover that they will have to stick together rather than run from their past in order to survive. While that sounds like a potentially fitting end to the teen drama's narrative, the series’ inner-city setting will continue to be explored in the form of a spinoff.
According to Variety, Netflix has signed off on a spinoff of On My Block. With the title of Freeridge, the spinoff will unfold in a different side of the titular fictitious town. It will focus on a new group of friends who "may or may not have unleashed a deadly curse," helping to kick off an unforgettable adventure. On My Block writer Jamie Uyeshiro will serve as showrunner on the new show, along with the original’s co-creators Gonzalez and Halft. On My Block co-creator Iungerich will be involved with the project as an executive producer.
While it hasn’t possessed the same name recognition as Stranger Things and The Witcher, which count as two of the most popular Netflix original shows, On My Block has been a hit with both audiences and critics. Reviewers, in particular, have praised the teen drama for its focus on the struggles of underrepresented characters and communities. The show has also been praised for its ability to tackle serious subjects, such as violence and PTSD, without veering into "preachy" territory. At a time when teen dramas, such as Riverdale, center mostly on white characters and downplay their daily hardships in favor of heightened tawdry storylines, the approach of On My Block is especially notable.
Still, perhaps the biggest sign of the series’ success is that Netflix has decided to move forward with a spinoff. While the streaming service, like others, does not release its viewership numbers, Netflix has nonetheless gained a reputation for canceling shows. Fans can only assume, in the absence of viewership numbers, that those shows haven’t found a big enough audience. However, on the opposite side of that coin, the fact that the On My Block universe is growing with a spinoff speaks to the strong fandom it has built with its extremely engaging storyline and relatable characters.
Source: Deadline
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