‘Sesame Street’ adds new Hispanic character

Twenty-six year-old Ismael Cruz will become the new addition to “Sesame Street” playing a character named Armando or “Mando” for short. Armando is from Brooklyn and loves social media and writing short stories.

The addition of Armando will expand the already extensive Hispanic cast on the show, which includes Maria and Luis, who joined the show in 1971 as human characters, and Rosita, the turquoise monster who joined the cast in 1993.

“Sesame Street” directors hope to reflect the population changes in the U.S. by adding Armando’s character since Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the country. The show also features African-American, Asian, and American Indian characters.