IN CONVERSATION WITH ERNESTO ALTERIO

Ernesto Alterio is starring in Amazon Prime’s series ‘Su Majestad’, which premiered on 27th February. Later this year, we’ll also be seeing him in ‘Todos los lados de la cama’, set for reléase this July.

coat VAUTRAIT
pants PALOMO SPAIN
shoes COS

Ernesto, you studied at the Escuela de Arte Dramático and worked closely with Cristina Rota and Daniel Sánchez. How did your formal training influence your approach to acting, especially when you first started in the industry?

I think that if someone is interested in acting, training and acting schools are a good starting point. I’ve had many wonderful teachers and I’ve learned great acting tools and concepts from them.  I also believe that there’s not only one truth and it’s interesting to explore many diferente points of view.

You also co-founded the theatre company Animalario. Can you share some insights into what the creative process was like working with such an influential group, and how it helped shape your career?

That was a very exciting moment in my life. We were in our early twenties and we were hungry for art. We ourselves wrote and directed a play called ‘Animalario’. From the very first moment that we performed it on stage, we felt a strong connection with the audience. It was magical. I still can feel that spark.

You are starring in ‘Su Majestad’ on Amazon Prime. What can you share with us about this project and your role in it? 

It’s a satirical comedy that tells the story of Pilar, a rebelious spanish princess and future Queen of Spain who is suddenly forced to lead the institution after a huge scandal involving her father, the King. 

I had so much fun playing the role of Guillermo, her secretary and the one in charge of putting her on the right path. It has just been released worldwide.

coat VAUTRAIT
pants PALOMO SPAIN
shoes COS

Later this year, we’ll also be seeing you in ‘Los dos lados de la cama’. What can we epect from this project when it releases this Summer? 

It’s the third sequel from the film called ‘Los dos lados de la cama’, a musical comedy that was a blockbuster hit in 2001. In this third part, we see the same characters years after, dealing with sentimental issues and problems with their children, but always singing and dancing.

You’ve been nominated and awarded for your exceptional performances. What drives you to continue evolving as an actor, and what kinds of roles or projects do you hope to explore in the futuro?. 

What keeps me going is the desire to continue growing as an actor and enjoying the challenges that may come my way. And I hope to continue developing my carrer internationally with beautifully complex and challenging characters.

Looking back at your career, are there any moments or roles that stand out as particularly defining or transformative for you? 

I think that where I have experienced a greater growth as an actor is in theatre. There I feel that I have the territory and the time to explore the particular nuances of a character in depth.

coat VAUTRAIT

left
suit COS
tie ELIE SAAB
shirt ARMANI

right
suit PALOMO SPAIN
tie and shirt ARMANI

As an actor with an interest in painting, who are your biggest artistic influences? Is there a particular artist or director whose work has inspired or motivated your own?                         

I have always felt a great curiosity about art. From the very first time I went to Florence, when I was 11 years old, I was very impressed by the artists of the Italian Renessance. I also have a crush on the English acting tradition and my favorite film director is Federico Fellini.

You  have exhibited your work in Madrid. How does your passion for art influence your acting, or do you see parallels between both forms of expression?

Painting and acting have the same staring point, which is the white page. Then I go from one to another like in some kind of dance where both territoiries enrich each other.

Besides acting and painting, what are your biggest passions in life?

I play the piano and exploring musical language is an everyday activity for me.

What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects, both as an actor and an artist?

I’ll be on stage with ‘Viejos Tiempos’ by Harold Pinter in Teatro La Abadia from 13th March. It’s a very interesting piece. Hope to see you there.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography MAJO VALIDO by GUILLE R PALANCA
styling SERGI PADIAL by PAULA SÁNCHEZ
hair and makeup SERGIO ÁLVAREZ GONZÁLEZ
production JUAN MARTI
production assistance AVGUSTINA AGRONINA