One of the nice surprises about the Netflix “reimagining” of “One Day at a Time” was the writers’ decision to define the show’s main character, Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado), beyond the confining boundaries of most sitcom moms.
In one scene, for instance, she confesses to her mother (Rita Moreno) that she misses physical contact with the opposite sex.
“That was one of the audition scenes,” says Machado, who, at 44, is already a TV veteran (including roles on “Six Feet Under” and “ER,” among many others). “That’s what made me love the show. I said: ‘Look at this scene. I’m going to give them real emotion.’”
As in the original Norman Lear sitcom, Penelope is the single mom of two children — but she also reflects societal changes not in place when “One Day at a Time” first aired (1975-84). Penelope was in the military, serving in Afghanistan, and, once she’s stateside, experiences a mild form of PTSD.
“They had planned to make the ex-husband a vet, then they decided to make Penelope a vet as well,” says Machado, who lives in Silver Lake, an LA neighborhood adjacent to Echo Park (where the series is set). Machado met with a veteran, Priscilla, who talked about her experiences while serving and afterward, parts of which were worked into the show’s narrative.
“When she got back, it was a little overwhelming for her,” Machado says. “In the army, everything was taken care of. Civilian life could be difficult. Veterans have to wait months, years to see someone at the VA. They protect us but they can’t get in to see a doctor.”
As smoothly as the show deals with topical issues, it also explores cultural ones. In the premiere, Penelope and her daughter Elena (Isabella Gomez) argue about the relevance of the quinceanera, a rite-of-passage party for 15-year-old Latin girls. Machado has fond memories of her own quinceanera, which took place in northwest Chicago where she grew up. After her stepfather refused to pay for the party, Machado hit up her relatives and raised the money herself. “It was very tacky, but to be honest, it’s all about the big white dress and the party,” she says. “I had 14 girls [in my party] that walked with me. I looked like a child bride.”
That’s as close as Machado has come to getting married herself. She says she has a full social life, some of which consists of socializing with her old friend, “Six Feet Under” co-star Freddy Rodriguez, and his wife, Elsie. “She had dinner with my wife two weeks ago,” says Rodriguez, who co-stars on the hit CBS series “Bull” and has known Machado since they were teenagers. “I’m like the third leg in that relationship. They Face-Timed me and said ‘Look what you’re missing,’ while I’m putting in 15-hour days.
“Tina and I are two Puerto Rican success stories from Chicago,” says Rodriguez. “Our families were always living close to each other. When we had to do a [script] reading for ‘Six Feet Under,’ it was obvious we had the most chemistry because we had a history.”
Machado’s future includes a small arc on The CW’s “Jane the Virgin,” and she remains optimistic that “One Day At a Time” will be renewed.
“I’m proud of the work,” she says. “We have a pretty good chance.”
“One Day at a Time” Streams on Netflix