You may have time on a show as an actor, but without power over the story, you may come across issues with the project. In an interview with GQ, Narcos: Mexico star Diego Calva has spoken about his issues with the Netflix series.
Diego Calva played the drug lord Arturo Bertrán Leyva for six episodes of the third season of Narcos: Mexico. The actor spoke about how “grateful” he was for the opportunity as it was a “great show,” but that did not take the sting out of his issues with the series. Much of his issues stemmed from the inaccuracy of the portrayal of Mexico and its focus on “narco culture.” He admits some pieces get it right, but much of it is built on “lies, too.”
“There’s a moment in your career as an actor that you really can’t choose your roles. You are just grateful that you’re having a job, and Narcos is a great show. But in my case, it’s a little hard because the way they put the story of my country, I don’t agree at all.”
Narcos: Mexico star Diego Calva looks back on his time on the Netflix series
When it comes to the portrayal of his country, he said it does not “need more narco culture” and “making these guys heroes.” By the time he got to see the finished product of what he had filmed, he had thought it was “too raw.”
Things are going to turn around away from drug lords and cartels this December for the actor. He will star in Whiplash and La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s next movie, Babylon. He will star with huge Hollywood names like Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde, Tobey Maguire, and Eric Roberts. The film hits theaters on December 23.
When looking ahead, Narcos: Mexico star Diego Calva has his wishes for what he wants to do in the future. For him, is “dream” is to take a “part” in the “Latin America cinema” scene. Although he has his worries that directors won’t call him, his career trajectory is looking good as he comes off Babylon.