Imagen Announces Dailyn Rodriguez as Recipient of the Norman Lear Writer’s Award

LOS ANGELES – July 24, 2025 – The Imagen Foundation proudly announces Dailyn Rodriguez as the 2025 recipient of the organization’s Norman Lear Writer’s Award. Named in honor of the legendary television producer and Imagen co-founder, the award recognizes outstanding creative talent of Latino descent who have excelled in television or film and advanced authentic cultural representation.

Rodriguez, an award-winning writer, producer, and showrunner, is best known for her compelling work on “Ugly Betty,” “The Glades,” “The Night Shift,” “Queen of the South,” and most recently as executive producer and co-showrunner of Netflix’s hit legal drama “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, the series was created by David E. Kelley and developed for Television by Ted Humphrey and has recently wrapped production on its fourth season, with Rodriguez stepping behind the camera to direct an episode.

“Thank you to the Imagen Foundation for this incredible honor,” said Dailyn Rodriguez. “I’m proud to receive an award that bears the name of Norman Lear, a writer whose work has shaped so much of what I believe storytelling can do. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to uplift Latino voices and create space for underrepresented communities, both on screen and behind the scenes.”

A trailblazer for Latin representation in the entertainment industry, Rodriguez rose through the ranks after being selected for the Walt Disney Studios Writing Fellowship. She went on to write for acclaimed series such as ABC’s “George Lopez” and “Ugly Betty,” FOX’s “Lie to Me,” and A&E’s “The Glades.” Her work on “Ugly Betty” earned her a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding New Series.

“From breaking barriers in Hollywood to crafting unforgettable stories, Dailyn Rodriguez embodies the spirit and excellence of the Norman Lear Writer’s Award,” said Helen Hernandez, President and Founder of the Imagen Foundation. “Her creative vision and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of Latino storytellers.”

Rodriguez’s powerful storytelling is deeply rooted in her lived experience as a first-generation Cuban American raised in Washington Heights, New York. Her narratives are informed by themes of family, loyalty, identity and cultural resilience – complexities that have defined her work and resonated with diverse audiences.

As co-showrunner, executive producer, and writer of USA Network’s “Queen of the South,” Rodriguez redefined the crime drama genre by placing a Latina protagonist at its center. Her leadership brought nuance and depth to the adaptation of the Spanish-language telenovela “La Reina del Sur,” telling a story of female empowerment against a traditionally male-dominated backdrop.

In addition to her creative work, Rodriguez is a board member of the Writers Guild of America West. She played a key role during the 2023 WGA strike, championing fair treatment, equity, and inclusion for writers across the industry. She is also an active mentor, advocating for broader opportunities and greater access for emerging voices in television.

With this award, Rodriguez joins a prestigious group of past honorees including Peter Murrieta, Gloria Calderón Kellett, John Leguizamo, Lisa Loomer, Fred Armisen, Ligiah Villalobos, and Luisa Leschin.

About the Imagen Foundation

The Imagen Awards program (pronounced ee-mah-hen) At the suggestion of veteran television producer Norman Lear to encourage the accurate and meaningful portrayals of Latinos in media helped form the Imagen Foundation. The organization expanded its initiatives to serve as a bridge between the Latino community and the entertainment industry with the goal to provide access, education and career resources to both emerging and established talent.

For more information about the Imagen Foundation and event details, visit Imagen.org or follow on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

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