The 5 major differences between 'Selena: The Series' and the 1997 biopic starring Jennifer Lopez

Christian Serratos plays Selena on the new Netflix series (left), while Jennifer Lopez portrayed the singer in the 1997 biopic "Selena."Michael Lavine/Netflix and Warner Bros.

• "Selena: The Series," which premieres December 4 on Netflix, focuses on the life of late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
• But the new show isn't the only retelling of Quintanilla-Pérez's story — a 1997 biopic, released shortly after her murder, also aims to shed light on the singer's background.
• Even though both the show and the movie focus on Quintanilla-Pérez's life, there are some key differences between the two.
• On the show, for example, the Quintanilla family's economic hardships are explored more in depth.
• And Christian Serratos, who plays the singer on the Netflix series, is of Mexican descent, whereas Jennifer Lopez, who played Selena in the biopic, has Puerto Rican heritage.

Fans of late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez are likely familiar with the 1997 biopic "Selena," starring Jennifer Lopez.

The film follows Quintanilla-Pérez as she grows from an ambitious young girl to a Tejano superstar.

But the new Netflix show "Selena: The Series," which premieres Friday on the streaming service, will also take an in-depth look at Quintanilla-Pérez's life, in addition to her untimely death, with Christian Serratos playing the singer.

While both the movie and the new show share the honor of retelling Quintanilla-Pérez's story, as well as have the support of the Quintanilla family, there are several key differences between the two.

Here are the major ways in which "Selena: The Series" differs from the 1997 film.