‘PERSONAL THING’
Actor relates to his character on fourth season of ‘13 Reasons Why’
Jan Luis Castellanos is ready to make waves.
Beginning Friday, June 5, the Dominican-born actor can be seen as Diego Torres on Netflix’s original series, “13 Reasons Why.”
Joining the fourth and final season of the series, Castellanos knew his work was cut out for him because the show is a fan favorite.
It was also a challenge he wanted to take on headfirst.
“Playing Diego, it was a personal thing for me,” Castellanos says. “I really had to dig and go back to my time in high school, where I was a state champion wrestler. I was more of a meathead and athlete and had a lot of aggression. Diego is loyal and charismatic. He’s a good kid, and he can be immature at times, but that happens with high school students.”
Torres is also the leader of a divided football team struggling to understand the loss of one of their own.
But as Torres grapples with his own grief and confusion and his violent temper, masking a hurting heart, he finds himself falling for one of Liberty High’s most complicated women.
Snagging the role of Torres was a high point for Castellanos because he’s been a fan of the show.
“Diego is a very prominent person this season,”
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The fourth and final season of “13 Reasons Why” is available on Netflix on Friday, June 5. Castellanos says. “I fee like I’m a senior in high school and it’s two weeks until graduation. I’m ready for the world to see what we worked on last year. Getting on set was great because everyone made it a home for me, though I was the new guy.”
With the role in “13 Reasons Why,” Castellanos’ profile continues to rise.
Last year, he starred in Hulu’s original “Marvel’s Runaways,” in which he played Topher — a not-to-betrusted vampire with a dark secret who is schooling the “Runaways” on a whole new level of street game.
Later this year, Castellanos has a role in the Quibi series “Don’t Look Deeper.”
Castellanos filmed “Don’t Look Deeper” before his stint on “13 Reasons Why.” He says the characters are completely different, which is something he looks to challenge himself.
“After I had done ‘Marvel’s Runaways,’ I needed something to sink my teeth into deeper,” he says. “With ‘Don’t Look Keeper,’ the role was more of a character study. I also got to work with Catherine Hardwicke. I took it as a learning lesson. It was the best acting class I could have asked for.”
Six months after wrapping “13 Reasons Why,” Castellanos is looking forward to the season airing and how the fans relate to his character.
“You don’t have any idea how long the last six months have been for me,” he says. “I see people are more excited than me. It’s surreal the time is already here. I haven’t been in the industry for too long, just under three years. I have had some amazing opportunities to challenge me and make myself grow.”
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