How ‘The Studio’ Producer Frida Perez Went From Seth Rogen’s Assistant to Making Emmy History
As final-round Emmy voting approaches, Apple TV+’s The Studio has emerged as a serious contender, after tying the all-time nomination record for a comedy series with 22 nominations and becoming the most-nominated freshman comedy in Emmy history.
The workplace satire’s success could mark several historic milestones, particularly for Dominican-American producer Frida Perez, who stands on the cusp of making Emmy history.
If “The Studio” wins outstanding comedy series, Perez would become the first Latina to take home a trophy in that category and only the second Latino ever to win as a producer in any top series race in Emmy history. Currently, only Cuban American Celia D. Costas holds that honor for HBO’s “Angels in America” in 2004.
Perez, 29, has already made history as the first Latina nominated for outstanding writing in a comedy series for the pilot episode “The Promotion,” which she shares with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory.
“I think about my parents, honestly, because they came to America in the ’80s, and they were born in the D.R.,” Perez tells Variety, paying tribute as a child of immigrants. “They’re both public school teachers in the South Bronx. I’m so proud of where I’m from. And I hope I won’t be the last one.”
The Bronx native’s path to Hollywood began without industry connections. After graduating from Brown University, she worked her way up from Seth Rogen’s assistant to co-creator and executive producer of “The Studio.”
“I started as his assistant,” Perez explains. “Because of that, you’re just talking all day, every day. I was on set with him all the time, and we got to know each other, and he began to trust me.”
Perez’s rise exemplifies the critical importance of allyship in creating meaningful change within Hollywood’s power structures. Rogen, an established producer and star, could have easily maintained traditional hiring practices, but instead recognized Perez’s talent and elevated her to co-creator status. This type of backing from industry leaders proves essential for breaking down barriers that have historically excluded underrepresented voices from decision-making roles. “When he gave me the ‘creator’ credit, everybody I talked to was like, ‘Oh my God, he did not have to do that,’” Perez says. “Most people, if it’s your first writing gig, producing gig, would be like, ‘Oh, thanks, have fun — staff writer.’” She emphasized Rogen’s generosity in recognizing her contributions: “I think he wouldn’t have given it to me if I didn’t work as hard as I did, but it is so nice, and there are so many things in the pilot that I was like, ‘Yes, I was a huge part of that.’”
Latina representation in Emmy’s top categories remains scarce. In the comedy series category, Perez joins a select group that includes Selena Gomez, a four-time nominee for Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” and, now, the most-nominated Latino producer in Emmy history. Other trailblazers include Salma Hayek, nominated for ABC’s “Ugly Betty” in 2007, and Carla González Vargas, recognized for Netflix’s “Wednesday” in 2023.
The inadequate representation extends across categories. Only three Latinos are nominated for acting this year: Pedro Pascal for “The Last of Us” in lead drama actor, Liza Colón-Zayas from “The Bear” in supporting comedy actress, and Colman Domingo in supporting comedy actor for “The Four Seasons.”
Perez’s achievements come at a time when Hollywood continues its reckoning with equity and inclusion. Despite comprising roughly 20% of the U.S. population, Latinos remain dramatically underrepresented in key creative roles.
Barinholtz and Rogen with Martin Scorsese in a scene from “The Studio”
Courtesy of Apple TV+
“The Studio,” which lampoons the inner workings of Hollywood through the story of executives at fictional Continental Studios, stars Emmy nominees Rogen, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara and Ike Barinholtz, along with guest stars Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Anthony Mackie, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard and Zoë Kravitz.
One of the most memorable moments during “The Studio’s” production came when legendary director Martin Scorsese, now an Emmy acting nominee for guest comedy actor, filmed his appearance. Perez described the atmosphere on set as electric, with the entire crew treating the occasion with special reverence. “It was like the President came to set,” Perez says, laughing at the comparison. “Everybody got dressed up a little nice. Everybody’s laughing. Everyone took a shower. Everyone got it together because literally everybody on that set has grown up with his movies.”
The experience proved both thrilling and nerve-racking for the production team, with Perez noting how the crew wanted to ensure they didn’t disappoint one of cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers.
Looking ahead to Season 2, Perez teased expanded ambitions: “We want to make it better. We’re constantly raising the bar, and we don’t want to disappoint people a second time around. So we’re just going to try to do crazy storylines, crazy locations, more glam, more stars.”
Should “The Studio” triumph on Emmy night, it would mark Apple TV+’s third win in the comedy category, following “Ted Lasso’s” back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022. Moreover, it would demonstrate that Latino-led productions represent mainstream, award-worthy content that resonates with broad audiences, without having to be “specifically about Latinos.”
Win or lose, Perez’s nominations are a seismic jolt to the system and a reminder that the future of TV won’t be written solely by the usual “studio” suspects — pun intended.
The 77th Emmy Awards will be hosted by Nate Bargatze and broadcast live Sunday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, as well as stream live and on demand via select packages on Paramount+.
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