From ‘OT’ to Stardom: Martin Urrutia Shines in His Debut Series ‘Mariliendre’

by

At the moment, “Mariliendre” is premiering on the global stage at Series Mania. This innovative series is brought to you by Suma Content and Los Javis, known for their groundbreaking work on shows like “Veneno,” “La Mesías,” and “Vestidos de Azul.

The six-episode musical comedy-drama, penned and directed by Javier Ferreiro, is a lively tribute to friendship, queer identity, body positivity, and the legendary Chueca nightlife in Madrid during the 2000s. It notably features Martin Urrutia, a finalist from the popular “Operación Triunfo,” making his acting debut.

I recently sat down with Urrutia for a chat about venturing into scripted TV for the first time, the distinctive musical hurdles in “Mariliendre”, and the increasing global hype surrounding the show. As a movie enthusiast, it was an exciting opportunity to gain insights from behind the scenes of this captivating production.

Initially, I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations on the successful premieres of your shows last week in Málaga and this week at Series Mania. It’s your debut in a scripted role, isn’t it? Can you share with us how this opportunity came about?

Martin Urrutia confirmed that his current role is his first professional acting assignment. He had previously delved into the study of drama and stage performance, but it was “Operación Triunfo” that provided him with his initial significant breakthrough. Despite being an unscripted music-focused program, acting has long been a cherished aspiration of his. Upon concluding his time on “OT”, he learned about Los Javis’ new series and their interest in having him audition. He found this hard to believe.

How did you find it to depict the significant growth of your character, Jeremías, through various time periods? Portraying such a multifaceted storyline must have been quite an experience.

Portraying Gere, who is 30 years old in the main storyline while I was only 20 on March 30, proved quite a formidable task. I had to conjure up the emotions and experiences of grief, estrangement from friends, and trauma that his character had endured. To achieve this, I collaborated extensively with my coach Rubén Martínez to establish the physicality and emotional heft of the older Jere. The younger version of the character felt more instinctive since it was closer to my own age. However, there’s definitely a piece of me in every phase of his development.

One of the show’s standout features is the genuine camaraderie among the main friends’ characters. Javier [Ferreriro] mentioned to me that filming scenes at the bar felt like shooting a documentary due to the natural interactions amongst everyone. I was wondering if the bond off-camera was equally authentic?

Translation: Urrutia: The description of it being like a documentary is spot-on. The relationships among the characters were strikingly similar to those within our cast, and at times, reality seemed more real than fiction. We quickly formed strong bonds, particularly with Blanca Martinez who played Mari. She’s amazing! The rest of the cast – Yenesi, Omar [Ayuso], Carlos [González], Álvaro [Jurado] – we were always there for each other. The older actors took care of us newcomers, and we all got along famously.

Urrutia: The comparison to a documentary is quite fitting as the dynamics among the characters mirrored those in our cast, sometimes blurring the lines between truth and fiction. I share a unique bond with Blanca Martinez who portrayed Mari; she’s fantastic! We all supported each other, and the older actors guided us newcomers. Despite being different individuals, we quickly clicked as a group.

The structure of this production is that of a musical, yet the core bond it explores is not romantic love, but rather a profound friendship. Such a theme is not commonly found.

You: Indeed, it’s that distinctive aspect that sets this series apart. Typically, musicals revolve around romantic love. However, this one delves into the profound impact friendships can have on one’s life. It explores how friendships can be equally intense, heartbreaking, and transformative. This emotional backbone resonated deeply with us as performers.

The musical numbers are ambitious. How did you prepare for that side of the role?

Prior to filming, we spent a whole month in rehearsals where we mastered the choreography, songs, and other aspects. It was quite demanding. Thankfully, transitioning from “OT” made it easier as I was accustomed to learning new songs and dances weekly. However, my main focus was honing my acting skills, keeping pace with these remarkable actors. That proved to be the most formidable challenge for me.

“‘Mariliendre'” is making its international debut at Series Mania, while ‘OT’ has already gained worldwide popularity on Amazon Prime Video. Does this growing international interest excite you?

Urrutia: Absolutely. Messages have come from Brazil, France, Latin America, and even someone traveled all the way from Brazil to watch our premiere in Málaga. Incredible! Right now, “Mariliendre” is showing in France, and I hope it continues to expand. I’d be thrilled to work on projects internationally, whether they’re films, TV shows, or music.

So what’s next? More acting? Music?

Urrutia: I’m currently working on my debut studio album, which is quite exciting! I’ve been busy writing, composing, and collaborating with Universal Music and creative partners in the studio. My plan is to release a few singles this year, followed by the complete album towards the end of 2025. At the same time, I’m eager to continue acting as well. This whole journey has led me to explore new opportunities.

Does it seem like Los Javis are creating a community and fostering a new crop of gifted Spanish actors and storytellers much like Almodóvar did years ago? Are you a part of this movement too?

Urrutia: Absolutely! They establish an environment that’s warm, courageous, and accommodating, offering chances to individuals who might not usually receive them. It seems like a significant movement. To be part of it, to have their faith in me for this role, it’s genuinely a dream realized.

This week, the series titled “Mariliendre” is being showcased at Series Mania. It’s set to premiere in Spain on Atresplayer on April 27th. The production of this series is a collaboration between Suma Content and Atresmedia, with Atresmedia TV handling international distribution. A global release on streaming platforms is anticipated towards the end of this year.

Read More

2025-03-28 22:17