Luis Fernandez just finished recording The Favorite 1922a period series that has marked a before and after in his career. But, beyond the challenges of playing a man at the beginning of the 20th century, it has been the relationship with his co-stars, especially with Verónica Sánchez, with whom he fell in love during the recordings, which has made this project even more special. In this talk, Luis shares with us what it has been like to work together, the complicity they have created on the set and how his life has changed, both professionally and personally, after this filming. About to turn 40 and, between laughter and reflections, he tells us how, like his character, he has had to learn to evolve and adapt.
© Getty ImagesWe see you very changed, with a new image
Luis Fernández (LF): In keeping with the hair, I have built my quinqui look around that. I’ve been growing it out since we finished filming in August.
They say that a new look indicates the beginning of a new life…
LF: Well, I turn 40 on December 31st.
Does reaching that number make you dizzy?
LF: None. I think I’m in the best moment of my life.
© Getty ImagesWhy do you feel this way?
LF: I don’t know, but I notice it.
It will be maturity…
LF: Sure, it could be. I have matured and that is what I notice.
You are already at that point where, maybe you don’t know what you want, but you know what you don’t want.
LF: That’s right, that also gives you a little maturity.
Are you going to celebrate it differently?
LF: Well, I had planned to do something special, but the days go by and in the end I haven’t done anything. I’ll do something.
© Luis Miguel GonzálezWhat has he given you The Favorite 1922?
LF: The truth is, it has given me a lot of joy. It had been many years since I had worked so happily and with such good spirits. Because there are times when filming is very hard, things happen, there is tension… but in this one we have all shared the same thing and we have worked very happily. With the entire team there has been a general good vibe from day one. Furthermore, it has placed me in a place where I had never been: a period protagonist, an opportunity that had never been given to me.
How have you prepared for this role?
LF: The suit helps a lot. Well, I was just filming another series and it caught me a little… I overlapped the two series. I created the character with Verónica (Sánchez) and with Javier Pulidowho is the director. During rehearsals, I went up and down from Bilbao. We have built Julio with the help of the costumes: my voice changed when he came in dressed like him, he already looked like that, like a gentleman from the time. (laughs)
© Luis Miguel González / MediasetWhat do you like most about July?
LF: What I like most about him is that he is a different guy from the rest of the men of 1922. He tries not to let people notice it, but he is different: he is more modern, he is a little cowardly and I like that, yes .
Why is it like this?
LF: Coward, because you will see that things happen and he is a bit the one who does not show his face.
© South International Series FestivalWhat are you like in real life? Are you a coward and do not show your face or are you a brave man?
LF: No. I’m not a coward.
What have you taken from Julio and what have you left about yourself to the character?
LF: I have left Julio with freshness, which he needed because, if not, everything would have been very serious. And from him, I have taken the joy of having been transported to 1922 and of having been able to make many dreams I had come true.
© South International Series FestivalWhat has it been like working with your co-stars?
LF: Wonderful. With Andrea Duro I did Three meters above the skybut we had not met again. It has been great, honestly, with them and with the rest of the colleagues, because here we are six or seven main actors, but there are a lot, there are more characters that are important. I have enjoyed it very much. Verónica is a machine, she is one of the best actresses I have ever worked with in my life, and one of the best colleagues as well. She is super generous, but only not with me, but with everyone. It has been super nice to be able to share with everyone and we have created a very nice bond. Vero has done a lot. Logically, she is the protagonist and, in the end, the one who takes the reins of everything and carries it on her backpack, but I think we have all been involved and we have all made it happen this way.
The good atmosphere is such that the five protagonists had a WhatsApp group and, when you found out, you asked to be added
LF: The excuse they gave me for not including me was that I had arrived late. I saw it logical that there was a general WhatsApp group.
And… is there movement in that chat?
LF: Of course, if there are five women in the group, there is movement all the time. (laughs)
© South International Series FestivalWhen you spend so much time immersed in a period film, does it feel strange to return to the present day? Do you see things differently?
LF: The hair, that gel is horror, but nothing. (Laughs) When you leave there, you leave Julio parked. In the series you will see that they talk about everyday things that already existed. Now, another thing is that they were treated or seen in one way or another. On filming everything is very careful, and, in fact, the kitchens really work. I’ll tell you how I experienced the first day of filming: I arrived, I had a sequence with Verónica from chapter one, in which she shows me some food and I could only think about how much I was sweating, with the shirt, the suspenders, the American… Little by little I have been taking things away because if not, I couldn’t continue. (laughs)
What anecdote can you tell us about the recordings?
LF: I think I fell once. I just don’t remember well because so many months ago… For example, I had tendonitis in my knee for two months and you won’t notice it.
© RTVEThe filming of The Favorite 1922 you were combining it with that of Scar, right?
LF: Yes. They are two completely opposite series. That’s why I am very happy and I think that, professionally, I have been growing, I have also matured in that.
© South International Series FestivalHow did you experience carrying two such different fictions at the same time? It shouldn’t have been easy.
LF: I’m telling you, the first two weeks I was hallucinating. But, in the end, whether you like it or not, it is our job and this project undoubtedly had to be done by me.
© Getty ImagesAnd, after so much work, you are currently on vacation.
LF: Yes, I’m on a hiatus right now, hence the long hair. I invest my time in the countryside, in my dogs and in being calm.
Do you live in the country? Now there are many actors who are going there.
LF: Well, they’re leaving, I’m from there. I was born in the Tetuán neighborhood, but I have been in Colmenarejo for 40 years. Before I had a garden and chickens, this year I didn’t have time and I haven’t planted anything. But I have friends who give me eggs and vegetables, because they do have them. The last thing I have done now was 30 kilos of olives; I went to Jaén, to a friend’s farm, and I was collecting them by hand.
© Getty ImagesWe have talked about cooking and gardening, do you see yourself in MasterChef Celebrity?
LF: If it wasn’t the way it is, I win. I don’t know if this can be said, but my colleagues say things about it… I wouldn’t win it, but I cook well, I carry myself well. Or so they say, although it is ugly to say it. My specialty is paella, rice with ribs, stews… I like to cook in general.
Wouldn’t you go to MasterChef Because it is a reality show?
LF: I don’t know if I would go. Honestly, I prefer to cook for you.