'Brooklyn' aims to look like America.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Author: Elber, Lynn
• Date: 21 January 2015

Byline: Lynn Elber

Stephanie Beatriz was preparing for her second-round audition for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' when she heard that another Latina actress, Melissa Fumero, had won a role in the Fox sitcom. Beatriz's heart sank.

"I thought, 'That's it. The network is not going to allow there to be two Latinas in one show,' '' Beatriz said. "I was so used to, 'There's only room for one.' ''

Beatriz was wrong. The "Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' cast includes both of the actresses, along with two African-Americans and five whites.

Making sure "Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' reflected the melting-pot world it's drawn from was key for Daniel J. Goor and Michael Schur. The veteran writers and producers, whose credits include "Parks and Recreation,'' were mulling a joint project when they quickly settled on a New York-based police comedy.

"Police deal with people of all types: races, genders, sexualities, which allows for an...