"Mando," Sesame Street's New Bilingual Neighbor, Debuts
“I even get fan mail from parents telling me how important my character is, representing the Latino community.”
Mando, a new bilingual Sesame Street character debuted Thursday morning, giving kids across the U.S. a bit of added diversity on the seminal children's show.

AP
The actor playing Mando is Ismael Cruz Córdova, 26, who came to New York City from Puerto Rico seven years ago, according to NBC Latino.

AP
“I even get fan mail from parents telling me how important my character is, representing the Latino community,” Cruz Córdova said.

AP
Tony-winning composer and actor in Broadway’s critically acclaimed In the Heights, Lin Manuel, wrote the music for the new season featuring Mando.
Hey Sesame Street fans: I wrote the music for this tune for the new season: http://t.co/Jugedu1Qyl
Lin-Manuel Miranda
@Lin_Manuel
Hey Sesame Street fans: I wrote the music for this tune for the new season: http://t.co/Jugedu1Qyl