What Sofia Gutierrez Means To Me

Sofia Gutierrez had a very different creation story. Sofia started out as a police detective in a horror story, facing a killer crow-like creature. I was approached by a streaming media company who liked the visual development of the horror story, but asked if it could be turned into a family-friendly adventure series.

Take a bloody, violent character and turn him into Baby Yoda?!?!

Sure, why not? What I ended up with was a backstory about the crow creature going from the antagonist to the protagonist. And Sofia Gutierrez went from the police detective to the crow's friend. In the end, we could not agree on a price for the series, including production expenses, and the series was put on the shelf (and will return as a horror property!).

However, the character of a young Sofia stuck with me. Several of her personality traits were based on my wife, who is also Colombian and Gutierrez is her maiden name.

And, Sofia's backpack is based on my wife, Maria, always seems to have what is needed at any moment in her bag. Even where my wife works now, if you need a band-aid, aspiring, a small screw driver, or a wet wipe, just find Maria and she will reach into her bag and find it.

Then there is Sofia's ability to see what other people miss. This is another trait inspired by my wife. Even conversations are based on real-life events. The conversation between Sofia and David regarding head-less people was similar to one my wife and I had.

There is another reason Sofia Gutierrez, Teen Detective has become so important to me. Raising Hispanic children, I wanted there to be a character that young Latinas can look to for inspiration. One who is a strong role model. Role models that say, "I can be anything I want to." Someone who can stand up for herself and, who may stand less than five feet but no one looks down on.

One who proudly says, "Sofia Gutierrez is on the case!"