The Spanish Actor opens up about giving humanity to his character, confronting fan reactions, and how the Culpables trilogy challenged him as an actor.
By Olive Walton
Meet Gabriel Guevara, the breakout star of Amazon Prime Video’s hit film trilogy Culpables. Guevara shot to fame following the massive success of the first installment, Culpa Mía (My Fault), which launched the series to become the #1 most-streamed Spanish-language franchise on the platform. Culpables quickly became a global phenomenon, with international audiences captivated, and even a UK remake currently in the works due to the original’s success.
Guevara takes the spotlight as Nick, a conflicted, soft-hearted bad boy who finds himself falling for his newly acquainted stepsister. In the final instalment of the trilogy, Culpa Nuestra (Our Fault), which premiered on October 16th, Nick and Noah reunite after years apart. But things have changed, and it’s clear they can’t return to how things once were. This final chapter tests whether their love can endure, or if, ultimately, they’re better off apart.
Now firmly in the spotlight, Guevara is more than just a rising actor – he’s part of a new wave of Spanish talent and has become a cultural reference point for a new generation, with a following that continues to grow both in Spain and internationally. As the star of a global hit trilogy and the ambassador of Rabanne’s 1 Million, the young Spanish actor could easily sit back and enjoy the moment. Instead, he’s focused and intentional, aiming to “work internationally, and take on roles that allow [him] to show new sides of [himself] as an actor.”
In conversation with Imagine, Guevara opens up about bringing humanity to his character, navigating intense fan reactions, and how the Culpables trilogy challenged him as an actor.
Olive Walton: Your mother and father were both performers, was growing up around them and their work something that inspired you to become an actor yourself?
Gabriel Guevara: Yes, completely. Growing up surrounded by artists had a huge influence on me. I was always around rehearsals and sets, watching how much effort goes into bringing a story to life. That world fascinated me since I was a kid, and it made me realize how powerful it is to move people through art. Acting came naturally because I had lived in that atmosphere all my life.
OW: You studied performing arts at Instituto Lope de Vega. How did your studies prepare you for your career as an actor, and what is something you could only learn from real on-set experience?
GG: My studies gave me the technical foundation I needed; things like voice work, body awareness, and discipline. It also taught me to respect the craft and the effort that goes into every performance. But there are lessons you can only learn on set: how to adapt when something changes last minute, how to connect with your scene partner, how to deal with nerves, and how to make a moment feel alive in front of the camera. Those are things that only experience can teach you.
OW: Your television debut was in Skam España. What was it like being in a series role for the first time?
GG: It was exciting and also a little overwhelming at first. Everything was new to me, so I tried to absorb as much as I could. Skam España was my first real experience being part of a professional cast and production. It taught me how to handle long shooting days, how to develop a character over time, and how essential teamwork is to bringing a story to life. It was a great introduction to the industry, and I have really fond memories of that project, as well as many good friends from it.
OW: How did you first hear about Culpa Mía and what was the audition process like for the role?
GG: I heard about the project through my agent. The audition process was intense because they were looking for the right chemistry between the two leads, which was such an important part of the story. From the beginning, I felt a strong connection with Nick as a character, and during the auditions I tried to show both his confidence and his vulnerability. They actually told me during the casting process that the role was pretty much mine.
OW: How did it feel stepping into a fandom that already existed around the books? Was that challenging, and did you feel a lot of pressure?
GG: There was definitely pressure because when a story already has such a loyal fanbase, you know people have very clear expectations. But that pressure also motivated me. I wanted to respect what readers loved about the books while also making Nick my own. The fans’ passion for the story was incredible, and their support gave me the energy to give everything I had to the role.
OW: Your co-star from Skam España, Nicole Wallace, is also your co-star in the Culpables films. Did having that pre-existing relationship help your on-screen chemistry? How did you feel when you found out you’d be starring alongside Nicole?
GG: It helped a lot. Having already worked together meant we understood each other’s way of acting and communicating. There was trust from the beginning, which is very important when you’re playing such an intense relationship. When I found out we’d be doing this together, I was honestly very happy. It made everything feel more natural and comfortable from the start.
OW: What were some ways you worked on your on-screen chemistry with Nicole?
GG: Our chemistry developed naturally, but we also had very clear direction from the team. They guided us on how they wanted Nick and Noah’s relationship to evolve in each scene, including the rhythm, the tension, and the emotional balance. Having that structure helped a lot. Since Nicole and I already knew each other, it was easy to trust each other and follow the direction while keeping the moments genuine. The result felt organic, even though it was carefully guided.
OW: Was it easy to get into Nick’s mindset? What helped you prepare and did you have any character references or techniques for building his character?
GG: I didn’t read the books, but I listened to the audiobooks to get a sense of Nick’s personality and emotions. Domingo, the director, also gave us very clear guidance on how to approach our characters and how he wanted Nick to be portrayed. That direction helped me understand his mindset and allowed me to focus on bringing his confidence, intensity, and vulnerability to life.
OW: For fans who criticize Nick for some of his more “toxic” traits in Culpa Tuya, how would you explain or defend his actions? His relationship with Noah can be quite intense and polarizing – what was your intent behind those more heightened scenes?
GG: I don’t think Nick should be defended, but understood. He’s a character who acts out of pain, jealousy, fear, and love, all at once. He’s not perfect, and that’s what makes him real. My intention in those scenes was to show that intensity honestly, not to romanticize it. Relationships can be messy, and portraying that complexity was part of the challenge.
OW: Did you have to learn any new skills for the role (such as fight choreography) and what was that process like?
GG: Yes, there were some physical scenes that required preparation, especially those involving action or confrontation. We worked with choreographers to make sure everything looked real but safe. It was also about learning to control my body and energy for the camera, which was something new for me. It was demanding but a lot of fun.
OW: In the final film of the trilogy, Culpa Nuestra, a few years have passed since we last saw Noah and Nick. Are we going to see a more mature version of Nick here? How has he progressed since we last saw him?
GG: Yes, he’s definitely more mature. Time has passed, and Nick has had to face the consequences of his actions. He’s learned more about responsibility and about what love really means. He still has the same fire inside him, but he’s more aware of who he is and what he wants. This film shows a more reflective and grounded version of him.
OW: Has the way you approach scenes or develop your character changed from the first film to this final one in the trilogy?
GG: Absolutely. In the first film I was still discovering the character and finding the right tone. By the second and third films I already knew him deeply, his rhythms, his emotions, and his reactions. I also grew as an actor during that time, so my approach became more detailed and instinctive. Each film taught me something new.
OW: Outside of your on-screen work, you’ve also been active in theatre. What draws you to that type of performance?
GG: Theatre gives you something unique, the direct connection with the audience. There are no second takes, everything happens in the moment. It forces you to be completely present and to feed off the energy of the people watching. It’s challenging but also very fulfilling and it reminds you why you love acting in the first place.
OW: You’re bilingual in French and Spanish, would you like to take on any French-speaking roles?
GG: Definitely. I would love to explore roles in French, it’s a language that feels very natural to me. Working in another language and culture would be an amazing opportunity to grow and reach new audiences.
OW: You’re already a multidisciplinary artist, you act and dance. Are you interested in exploring other roles behind the scenes? Does the idea of producing, directing, or writing excite you?
GG: Yes, I’m very curious about that side of the industry. I love acting, and in the future I’d also like to explore storytelling from behind the camera, directing, and maybe writing. It’s something I want to pursue when the time feels right, but for now I will stick with acting.
OW: Now the Culpables trilogy has come to an end, what’s next for Gabriel Guevara? Is there a type of role you’d like to take on next?
GG: I’d like to do something completely different from Nick. Maybe a thriller, something darker, or a project that challenges me emotionally in a new way. Maybe even a villain in a James Bond-type movie. I want to keep growing, work internationally, and take on roles that allow me to show new sides of myself as an actor.
Talent GABRIEL GUAVARA
Photographer and Videographer SASHA OLSEN
Stylist ALEJANDRA GOMBAU
Grooming ÁLVARO SANPER
Camera 1st Assistant SIMONE CALISI
Set Designer LUIS CAMPOS
Styling Assistant ANTO MARTOS
Styling Assistant JERÓNIMO ALMA
Shoot Location THE PALACE MADRID
Video Editor JARVIS LEUNG