Prior to her role in Fox's "Rosewood" as Detective Annalise Villa, Jaina Lee Ortiz was a professional salsa dancer for more than a decade.

Ortiz, 28, was inspired to improve her acting chops in college and studied the Meisner acting technique for years before moving in Los Angeles, Fox News Latino wrote. Wednesday night's premiere of "Rosewood" showcased Ortiz's professional acting debut, where she stars alongside Morris Chestnut as private pathologist Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr.

"I always wanted to play a role with so much range like [Det. Annalise] Villa," she told Fox News Latino. "She's strong. She's smart. She's tough, and she's sexy. She's your leading lady. And she's Latina. It's always been my dream."

Ortiz continued, "She can be feisty. She's got an attitude. She's impatient, but she's loyal and she's smart. I love her. I have so much respect for her. She's like my alter ego."

Fox's new medical procedural drama centers on "an eternal optimist who just happens to be the best private pathologist in all of Miami," series creator Todd Harthan said, adding that he "exudes charm" and "sincerity and warmth" at the same time, Variety reported. Along with Ortiz's Villa, they will uncover hidden clues and assist the Miami PD in solving the city's most tricky cases.

"[Rosewood] is charming and smart and super optimistic - which really gets on her nerves," Ortiz told Fox News Latino of her co-star's character. "But together they solve crimes in Miami. They are complete opposite people, but they realize they need each other to get the job done."

Speaking about the new show, Ortiz said that it's not the "typical cookie-cutter procedural" because it has the "character-driven" elements of a serial series, the news outlet noted. She added, "It's all about the relationships, and it's less about solving the crimes."

As for how she prepared for her role, Ortiz said that she consulted a lot with her dad, who is a New York Police Department detective. Ortiz also said that being one of the increasing numbers of Latina actresses on TV is "empowering" and "refreshing," Fox News Latino reported.

"I didn't see Latinas on TV growing up," she said, as quoted by Fox News Latino. "When people see me on TV they can go, 'Wait, that's me. I can relate. I can do that.' And it's amazing,' We [Latinas] are smart, successful people ... We are not what people think we are."

"Rosewood," which is executive produced by Harthan, Wyck Godfrey, and Marty Bowen, also stars Gabrielle Dennis, Anna Konkle, Lorraine Toussaint, and Domenick Lombardozzi, Variety listed. The show airs on Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.