Danny Pino – Mayans M.C.

By starrymag | March 16, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “Mayans M.C.?”

 

A) The co-creator of Mayans M.C. and new showrunner, Elgin James, has described Season Three as a “Reckoning,” where the sins, transgressions and debts of the last two seasons come due. Our characters will have to account for their actions or inaction. Although the first two seasons were dark, indeed, Season Three is much more character-driven, making the darkness deeper, more personal and emotional. The writers pushing the characters center stage gives agency to our ensemble cast to swing for the fences and mine the depths of the people we’ve been portraying for two years. Some characters will reveal unanticipated perspectives and others, who’ve been players in our story from the beginning, we’ll finally get to know.

In addition, Mayans M.C.’s visual aesthetic will be new for Season Three. Elgin (who directs a majority of the episodes this season) and our rock star Cinematographer, Vanessa Joy Smith, have reimagined how the show looks. From different color pallets and lighting depending on the world we are in (the M.C., the cartel, the D.O.J. or the rebels) to a more cinematic aspect ratio, our fans are sure to have a more immersive experience than in years past.

 

Q) What continues to challenge you about portraying Miguel?

 

A) I am challenged by Miguel’s duality, his inconsistencies and his paradoxes. I feel blessed to be the beneficiary of inspired writing, a passionate ensemble and a stalwart, talented crew.

 

Q) Going into this season were you looking forward to sharing more scenes with someone(s) in particular?

 

A) This ensemble cast is an embarrassment of riches. I legitimately look forward to every scene with any of the actors I’m fortunate enough to get to play with that day.

 

Q) Why is Miguel so certain his mother’s death was a suicide?

 

A) Miguel is certain Dita committed suicide because she’d attempted to take her own life in the fire that claimed their home prior to Season Two. She’d been “melancholic” since Devante’s death, she was seeing a therapist to help with her mental health and, more than anything, she left a suicide note.

 

Q) The Mayans are out for revenge with Vatos Malditos. How far are the Mayans willing to go with their payback?

 

A) Safe to say the Mayans will protect themselves to the death versus all invaders on their turf.

 

Q) What does the discovery of the body of an original Redwood mean for the Mayans?

 

A) The threat of all-out war.

 

Q) What are some episodes fans should really keep an eye out for this season?

 

A) Mayans M.C. is a heavily serialized show. I wouldn’t take my eye off any episode for fear of getting lost. It’s a tightly woven tapestry.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Mayans M.C.” that continues to make it such an intense hit drama?

 

A) Any successful series lives or dies with its writing. We are fortunate to have writers who are as adept at character development and plot twists as they are at dialogue, poetry, humor, stark realism and Shakespearean tragedy. Essentially, they keep the actors and the audience on their toes. Expecting the unexpected makes for a successfully intense drama.

 

Q) With the recent political landscape, what does seeing so many actors of color on screen in this series signify for yourself as much as the audience?

 

A) Given the political landscape and the topography of entertainment when viewed through the lens of the underrepresented Lantinx community, Mayans M.C. is a sign of hope. It’s hopeful because Mayans is an exceptionally written, passionately acted, cinematically poetic series executed at the highest level, and it’s not inconsequential that the majority of characters are Latinx. Mayans M.C. is significant for its quality, then because it shines a light on a largely marginalized segment of our industry and society.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?

 

A) Thank you and mount up. See you in Santo Padre for Season Three, familia.