Alec and Hilaria Baldwin are inviting cameras into their home for an upcoming reality series on TLC, but the announcement has brought Hilaria’s infamous Spanish accent scandal back into the spotlight, as well as renewed attention on Alec’s ongoing involuntary manslaughter case.
The actor and his wife, who have seven children under 10 together, revealed plans for the show titled “The Baldwins” in a video posted to Instagram Tuesday. It’s set to premiere in 2025.
“We’re inviting you into our home to experience the ups and downs, the good, the bad, the wild and the crazy,” Alec said in the clip, which showed the chaotic reality of wrangling their large brood.
While the premise piqued interest among some fans eager for an inside look at the Baldwin family life, many took the opportunity to mock Hilaria over her 2020 controversy. The yoga instructor, born Hillary Hayword-Thomas in Boston, initially portrayed herself as being from Spain before admitting to falsely embracing that identity.
Comments poured in questioning whether Hilaria would use a Spanish or Boston accent on the show and making jabs like “How you say? Cucumber?” – referencing her infamous “brain fart” moment failing to summon the English word during a TV interview.
The scandal first erupted in late 2020 after a social media thread accused Hilaria of faking a Spanish accent and background. Her former classmates alleged she grew up in the Boston area, contradicting her claim to not have moved to the U.S. until after college. An old talent agency bio also falsely listed her birthplace as Mallorca, Spain.
After a public apology, Hilaria explained she spent time in Spain growing up and was raised bilingual, but should have been more clear about being born in Boston. She dropped her frequently fluctuating Spanish accent afterwards.
But a larger cloud hangs over the Baldwins with Alec’s legal troubles surrounding the fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust in 2021. The actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after a prop gun he was holding discharged on set in New Mexico.
While confirming plans for their family reality show, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin did not address the manslaughter case that could potentially carry jail time if he is convicted at trial set for this month, July. The 30 Rock star has maintained he did not pull the trigger on the firearm he believed was “cold” or unloaded.