Andrés Parra: Like a Fish in Water On Stage

We’ve seen the multifaceted Andrés Parra in the skin of personalities as complex as Pablo Escobar and Hugo Chávez. The first thing I notice when meeting him in person, however, are his gentle gaze and tremendous sense of humor. Parra, one of the most popular actors on streaming platforms, spoke with Panorama of the Americas about his successful career and his future projects.

By: Paula Ríos

Photos: Cortesía

What events or experiences made you choose your vocation?

The theater appeared in my life accidentally. When I was eight years old, I walked into the school chapel while a play was being staged and something inside me switched on automatically: it was an epiphany. I got involved in the group and discovered that I felt very comfortable. I did therapy throughout my life and worked on myself a lot, until I discovered that the stage was the safe place I was looking for. Life gave me a beautiful gift, a profession that makes me happy. When acting, I feel like a fish in water; it’s my natural environment, my place in the world.

How did Pablo Escobar: The Drug Lord affect your life?

I have deep respect for that project; I suffered a lot, but I’m absolutely grateful for it. It opened many doors for me in the international market and took my career to new places, another level.

You’ve played Pablo Escobar twice, Hugo Chavez once, in El comandante, and one of the key FIFA Gate players in El presidente. Can you tell us about your experience with these characters?

The great gift that these historical figures gave me was the opportunity to fine-tune my study method. Especially the role as Chávez, which took me a year and a half. It allowed me to finish developing a technique based on tools I acquired at the Teatro Libre. This is the same creative process that I’m now trying to bring to fictional characters. I’m interested in delving deeper into the technique.

You also played Chayo in The Great Heist, a series that recreated the biggest robbery in the history of Colombia. How did you get involved with that project?

I was waiting in line for immigration at the Bogotá airport, on my way back from shooting El presidente in Chile, when I received a call from the producer of the Netflix series. I fell in love with the project; it was a chance to work with Christian Tappan again, ten years after Escobar. It was a wonderful experience.

In the new Star+ series, Los protectores, you play a soccer agent. What can you tell us about the show?

It’s a very special series for me, because it’s given me a real break. It’s the story of three disastrous soccer agents. Reynaldo’s character allows me to play and experiment. He has no filters. He’s reckless and says what he thinks and this gives me a kind of creative freedom that I value a lot and is good for my soul. It’s been a long time since I’ve done absurdist comedy. And shooting the series in Argentina is another blessing. I’d love to see Los protectores last for many seasons. It’s like a paid vacation.

Do you dream of playing any specific character?

I don’t normally ask myself that question, but another very powerful project has come into my life. So I’m currently doing two things at once: acting in Los protectores and starting to work on this new character, which I can’t talk about yet. But I will say that I’ve been waiting a long time for a role like this one. Once again, it’s one of those complicated characters that I like so much: a dark, sordid, person who irritates others and brings up a lot of questions. I’m very attracted to human complexity and this new job keeps me challenged.