María Bernardeau stood in front of a camera for the first time at only twelve years old. He did it in Cuéntame, the series that his father, producer Miguel Ángel Bernardeau, co-created, and that his mother, Ana Duato, co-starred in. Precisely, she played a very young Mercedes Alcántara, the same character that her mother popularized. Now that he has just turned 20, María faces the most decisive job of her careerwith one of the key characters of the new version of the series Physics or Chemistry, which has a completely renewed cast. “We have already finished the recordings. We are looking forward to it being released”María told us about her work in Atresmedia fiction. “Everyone is going to feel super identified. It is a youth series and also for the family. It is for everyone”he added in the recent premiere of What are you waiting for?.
While waiting for the return of Physics or Chemistry On the small screen – scheduled for the end of the year or the beginning of 2025 – María confessed to us the advice her family gives her and how her mother is, who maintains her innocence in the face of the tax crimes she is accused of. It should be noted that it has just been learned that they have been reduced, from 32 to 16, the years in prison that the Prosecutor’s Office asks of Duato for the ‘Nummaria Case’.
© INMA FLORES—Tell us about your character in the new version of Physics or Chemistry.
—Carlota is a girl marked by the stereotype of being the posh and popular one at Zurbarán—the institute of fiction—. But it is much more. She is very influenced by social networks and what others say. Throughout the series, he goes through very difficult phases and learnings.
—What do you think they thought of you to play a posh?
—She’s not just a dick. It’s much more. She is a strong aunt, who overcomes situations with great courage.
—The original series Physics or Chemistry It was transgressive. It addressed all kinds of topics and contained risqué scenes. Have you had to shoot one like that?
—We also talk about super-current topics. We have all had to record scenes that are a little more sexual, but they are just another scene, as if they were action scenes. In addition, we have been lucky to have an intimacy coordinator and she has helped us a lot.
—Are you afraid to do scenes like that and have your parents see them?
—I don’t have any qualms, really.. In the end, they are natural scenes that we all go through.
© ATRESMEDIA—You are part of a family of actors, headed by your mother and continued by your brother, Miguel. Which of the two do you ask for advice?
—They both give me a lot of advice. They are a great example for me.
—For example, one that your mother gave you?
—It’s a lot to learn. In the end, I believe that mothers leave their children so that we can learn from our mistakes, and that each one can follow their own path. My brother doesn’t give me much advice, but I do learn a lot by observing him, seeing how he works on a daily basis.
—What do you admire about both of them?
—From my mother, her strength. It has a unique strength. From my brother, his perseverance in his work and the effort he always puts into everything.
Art in the veins
—In addition to being an actress, you are studying Fine Arts and you design. I understand that the idea of devoting yourself to acting was always there, but did you really always see yourself as an actress?
—Yes, always. Being an actress was the path I wanted to follow, but I really like studying and, for that reason, I chose a career in Fine Arts and Fashion. I’m doing things to learn and not stop being active.
—In recent months, there has been a lot of talk in Hollywood about the nepo babies. What do you think?
-I don’t know what a nepo baby…
—Let’s say he is a ‘son of’ who accesses jobs more easily because he is family to who he is.
—Actually, no one agrees for that reason. Each one makes their own way. In a castingyou are one more.
© @mariabernardeau—Do you mean that you can have opportunities, but you have to take advantage of them?
-Clear. I am very proud of the family I have. Also, I think art also runs a bit in the veins.
—Finally, how is your mother feeling these days?
—Very good, really. My mother is an example of a citizen and an example of a brave woman. He has many ovaries of fighting for justice, which is not easy at all. Not everyone does it.
—Some other of your classmates have accepted the situation, but your mother has decided to fight to prove her innocence.
—She is an example and has had the courage to fight for justice, which I already told you is not an easy thing.