Interview with Rafael Cebrián from Apple’s “Acapulco”

Rafael Cebrián gives life to Hector in Apple’s first Spanish- and English-language comedy series Acapulco. Rafael, who is known for his more dramatic roles on television, has a much more lighthearted role in Acapulco. He plays one of the cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco where he meets the show’s protagonist Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon). In an interview with Rafael Cebrián, we discuss the importance of the different types of representation surrounding Latinx storytelling, as well as his roots in comedy.

Rafael Cebrián Interview

Acapulco

The show stars Eugenio Derbez and Enrique Arrizon, and is a prequel to the 2017 film How to be a Latin Lover. However, you don’t need to have seen the original film to get the feeling for the show. It tells the story of Máximo Gallardo (Enrique Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco. The series, which is told in both Spanish and English, takes place in 1984, with Derbez narrating and playing the present-day version of the main character, Máximo Gallardo. The ensemble cast starring alongside Derbez includes Enrique Arrizon, Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco, and Carlos Corona.

There’s two things we love about Héctor (@cebrianrafael): his Spanish accent and his self confidence. #Acapulco https://t.co/2r82OvueoQ

Hay dos cosas que nos encantan de Héctor (@cebrianrafael): su acento español y su autoestima. #Acapulco pic.twitter.com/LvrsmwbROX

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) November 18, 2021

Acapulco is all-around feel-good television. It had a smile on my face the whole time, and it was hard not to fall in love with all of the characters. The thing that I enjoyed most about the show is that all of the characters are complex. They all have their good moments and their bad ones.

Acapulco airs weekly on AppleTV+.

For more Acapulco coverage check out:

If you enjoyed “Ted Lasso,” you’ll love “Acapulco” on Apple TV+

Monica

Monica leads the team at Temple of Geek as Editor-In-Chief at Temple of Geek and Executive Producer on all Temple of Geek Projects. She's a passionate enthusiast of all things geek, with a particular fondness for sci-fi gems like Doctor Who, The Expanse, Star Wars, and Star Trek. As the creator of Portrait of a Fangirl, she has found that the Fangirl community is one of the most fullfilling aspects of fandom. She has been with Temple of Geek since 2017 and has led the team since 2020.