Hemky Madera – Queen of the South

By starrymag | June 28, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been working on?

A) I’ve been busy working on “Queen of the South.” We just wrapped our third season. I was also busy doing “Brockmire,” a show for IFC with Hank Azaria. That has taken most of my year and then I’m off to London to do a movie that I can’t say the name yet. It’s going to be fun and amazing.

Q) For “Queen of the South,” how was your character Pote originally described to you?

A) They described him to as a hitman who was chasing the character Teresa. I already had read the book before I got the audition. I was a fan of the book and knew that at some point he becomes Teresa’s protector. Then, I also saw the Spanish soap opera (“La Reina del Sur”) that they did on the books and since I was a fan of the books I decided to go more in the vain of the book since it was darker. He’s a sweetheart but is still a killer. Honor is his motto and he’ll do anything to protect Teresa (Alice Braga).

Q) Was there anything you added to him that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I took what they gave me, but then I just added my own take on it. The mannerisms and looks – that’s all from me.

Q) What have you found the most challenging part of your portrayal?

A) Again, you can adjust the character you play. Pote is not a nice person since he’s a hitman and a killer – in that world of the narcos. What is challenging is to make it real because I also don’t want to make him a caricature of a Mexican cartel. He’s got to be real to believe in what I’m doing and trust that I’m doing right by it in terms of no judgement and just being present in each moment.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on “Queen?”

A) I knew of them, but I didn’t know them personally. I knew Justina [Machado], Joaquim [de Almeida] and Peter [Gadiot]. Then, of course, I met Jon-Michael [Ecker] and all of those guys while we were working and have become really good friends.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments so far from paying Pote?

A) The cooking part is always fun. When Pote is behind in the kitchen it’s always fun, which has made me a better cook in my real life. Before I wasn’t good at chopping. Now, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I’ve become a lot better.

Q) What does it mean to you to be a part of series with all persons of colors as leads?

A) I feel honored. As a Latino, we are the biggest minorities in the country as a unit. I’m honored to be a part of the series. I’m Dominican. Alice is Brazilian. Dominic [Burgess] is Mexican. Joaquim is Portuguese, and Jon-Michael is Mexican-American. We have all these nationalities of Latinos together. Justina Machado was in our first season and is an amazing actor who is of Puerto Rican descent. So, to have a bunch of actors with colored faces on screen is pretty awesome, especially with the times we’re in now.

Q) You often take on such dramatic roles, but now we’re seeing you guest on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and star on “Brockmire.” Are you making a more conscious effort to take more comedic roles?

A) Well, believe it or not I started in comedy. I started on a show called “Los Electrolocos” in the Dominican Republic. “Electrolocos” was aimed for kids and that’s where I started my career and I did a lot of comedy there. Then, of course, a lot of drama came my way, but I enjoy doing both. I have fun playing Pote and Uribe, but Uribe is just more free and loose. It’s fun to do the comedy.

Q) Talk about working with Hank Azaria on “Brockmire.”

A) He’s amazing. Apart from the personal level, that guy is so giving. When you walk into the set, he’s so welcoming. I never felt like it was his set. It was our set. He’s super funny and off camera it’s hard to keep a straight face.

Q) Is there room for much improv on the set of “Brockmire?”

A) No, it’s pretty much scripted all the way. You can suggest a few things here and there, but it’s such amazing writing that you really don’t have to add much. Just add color to it. When I did “Curb,” it was my first time ever doing an improv format. I was a little nervous on my way there, but then I was like, “You know what? You don’t have anything to worry about. You improvise every day when you have a conversation with a stranger. Just have fun.” I did and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Q) What have been some of your favorite projects to have been a part of?

A) Definitely “Queen of the South,” “Brockmire” and Spider-Man: Homecoming. That scene in that bodega most of it was improvised between Tom [Holland] and I. We were messing around with it within the context of the script and we were playing around with it during the rehearsal and the director said, “Whoa! I want more of that.” Then, we kind of pretty much implemented it there. And Tom is amazing to work with. “Weeds” is also what opened the doors for me here in the states. It was awesome working with Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins and Justin Kirk. I’ve been very blessed to be working a lot.

Q) You were also a bit part in the Oscar winning film La La Land!

A) It was a great experience to work with Ryan Gosling. It was great working with the director as well. They are amazing sweethearts and it was an honor for me to be there. But at the end of the day my part never came out because it got cut. It wasn’t the performance. It was just the length of the movie, which happens. I remember shooting those scenes and thinking, “If this runs long this scene isn’t going to make it.” It wasn’t missed with the story itself, but it was a shame I didn’t get to see it on the big screen. But at the same it was great meeting Ryan. He is a really, really down-to-Earth dude.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to the projects that you do?

A) Definitely. I’m not the best to be always posting. I always do late posts, but I do go in and read comments from the fans. And I appreciate and like the comments. I always hit “like.” It’s humbling, to say the least, at how much they enjoy the show. Especially the last two jobs that I’ve had, which are obviously “Queen of the South” and “Brockmire.” People really, really love Pote. You can see they are two different crowds, but at the same time they are fans of both. Then, the other day we had a premiere party for Season Three of the “Queen of the South.” There were people that drove from Detroit to be a part of it and all over the country. I stood there for a little while afterwards to sign autographs and take pictures. I heard their stories of how they got there and most of the fans are all tweeting or on Instagram. I am blessed to be a part of the show and I am honored and humble that they like what I do.

Q) What would you like to say everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work that you do?

A) I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I give my all to every role that I’m ever playing. I give it 150,000% of me. And I’m grateful, honored, thankful and touched that you guys like what I do. I’ll keep doing this until my last breath because I really love what I do. It’s not a job, it’s a vocation. I’ve been very blessed to have the support of my family, parents, wife and kids throughout the years. We are cheerleaders of each other. My wife is an amazing singer/songwriter and her album is coming out soon. You’re going to be blown away. Her name is Jesse Lynn Madera. I just feel so blessed and I feel lucky to have your support. I hug and kiss every one of you.