We have been fans of Hemky Madera since we watched him on USA’s Queen of the South playing Pote Gálvez, a loyal sicario, enforcer, and in his own way someone who became a beloved character everytime he was on screen! Beyond that character, we have enjoyed seeing him in Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer, Spider-Man: Homecoming and more! We’re excited for him to be in The Mandalorian as he continues from S3 by bringing Commander Barre, an imperial warlord to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu which is in theaters now! In addition, fans of HBO’s Euphoria are enjoying his role as DEA agent, Jiminez!
We sat down with Hemky to talk about his passion for acting, how he approaches playing his diverse characters, what he looks for in his roles and more!
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?
HEMKY MADERA: Honestly, I think storytelling found me before I fully understood what acting even was. I remember being about five years old, sitting on the floor in front of my parents’ bed, watching On the Waterfront. There’s that famous scene with the glove between Marlon Brando (The Godfather franchise, Apocalypse Now, A Streetcar Named Desire) and Eva Marie Saint (North by Northwest, Raintree County, All Fall Down) and I remember turning to my parents and saying, “She can’t leave without her glove.” I was completely locked into that moment emotionally. Then I pointed at the screen and said, “I want to do what he does.” At the time, I didn’t even know that was called acting. I just knew I was feeling something powerful and wanted to be part of creating moments like that for people.
Growing up, I was always drawn to movies and performances that made people feel something. I loved the idea of disappearing into another world for two hours and connecting emotionally with characters. Once I got on stage and later in front of a camera, I knew this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to. There’s something to dedicate my life to. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about stepping into someone else’s shoes and bringing their story to life.
AM: When it comes to approaching the characters that you play, what is your creative process in connecting with them? I remember the first time that I saw you was in Weeds and of course, your role in Queen of the South was so good as Pote, and enjoyed seeing your in Perry Mason!
HM: Thank you, I really appreciate that. Every character starts with understanding their truth. I try not to judge them. I look at where they come from, what they fear, what they love, and what they’re protecting. Once I understand their emotional core, everything else starts to fall into place. The physicality, the voice, the energy. With someone like Pote, there was so much heart underneath the toughness. That’s what I connected to the most. I always try to find the humanity in every role because that’s what makes characters relatable and real.
AM: What do you look for when it comes to deciding on whether you are interested in a script/project?
HM: For me, it always starts with the story and the people behind it. I want to work on projects that move me emotionally or challenge me creatively. I look for characters that have layers and projects that say something meaningful. And honestly, the energy of the people involved matters a lot too. Film and television are such collaborative experiences, so being around passionate, good-hearted creatives makes all the difference.
AM: What can you tell us about your role in Euphoria and why did you want to be part of this project?
HM: Euphoria is one of those shows that really pushed television storytelling in a bold direction. It’s visually stunning, emotionally raw, and fearless in the way it approaches its characters. Being able to step into that world was exciting because the show takes risks and trusts the audience to feel everything. I’m grateful to have been part of a project that has had such a strong cultural impact.
I also truly loved working with Zendaya (Spider-Man franchise, Dune franchise, The Odyssey). She was incredibly welcoming, grounded, and just such an amazing actor. Watching her work and seeing the level of honesty and emotion she brings to every scene was really inspiring. And Sam Levinson (The Idol, Malcom & Marie, The Wizard of Lies) is honestly brilliant. The way his mind works creatively, and the worlds he creates are incredibly unique and fearless. Being around that kind of talent and creativity pushes everybody to elevate their game.
AM: You have been doing a number of shows within prestige programming including Perry Mason and The Lincoln Lawyer! What do you enjoy about being part of these series?
HM: What I love about shows like Perry Mason and The Lincoln Lawyer is the level of storytelling involved. The characters are layered, the writing is sharp, and there’s always tension and momentum driving the story forward. These are the kinds of projects that really challenge you creatively as an actor.
With Perry Mason, it was especially meaningful because I got the chance to reunite with creators Ron Fitzgerald (Westworld, Weeds, Friday Night Lights) and Rolin Jones (Interview with a Vampire series, Boardwalk Empire, Smash) from the time we worked together on Weeds. There’s already a level of trust and creative understanding there, so reconnecting years later on such a beautifully crafted show was really special.
And with The Lincoln Lawyer, I also had the opportunity to reunite with Dailyn Rodriguez (The Night Shift, Lie To Me, In Plain Sight) and Matthew J. Lieberman (Free Guy, Rumble, The Christmas Chronicles series), whom I had previously worked with on Queen of the South. Being able to collaborate again with people you respect and already have creative chemistry with always makes the experience even better. Playing Agent Vásquez has also been a lot of fun because he operates with intensity and purpose, which is always exciting to explore as an actor.
AM: You are back in The Mandalorian and Grogu universe with the upcoming Star Wars film! What do you love about being in this show!
HM: Being part of the Star Wars universe is honestly surreal. It’s something generations have grown up with, so stepping into that world carries a certain magic. What I love most is the passion from the fans and the level of care that goes into creating these stories. It feels epic while still being deeply personal. There’s also something incredible about watching practical effects, creatures, costumes, and entire worlds come to life right in front of you on set. You feel like a kid again.
AM: This year alone, you have a number of projects coming out, do you\ have a process when it comes to when you have finished playing a character so that you can play the next one!
HM: I think it’s important to reset emotionally and mentally after every role. Some characters stay with you longer than others. For me, family helps keep me grounded. Fitness helps too. Training, golfing, playing tennis, and spending time with my wife, Jesse, and our boys. Those things bring me back to myself. I also love listening to Jesse while she’s writing or playing her songs around the house. Those are some of my favorite moments because they’re peaceful, creative, and real. Then, when it’s time for the next project, I can approach it with fresh energy and fully commit to that new character.
AM: When you are not on set, what are 3 workouts that you do when it comes to your fitness routines?
HM: I’m big into kettlebell training because it combines strength and cardio at the same time. I also love weightlifting, especially compound movements that build functional strength. And tennis has become a huge part of my routine because it keeps me active while also being competitive and fun. Fitness for me is really about discipline, consistency, and feeling strong mentally as much as physically.
AM: We know that you enjoy flying airplanes. When did you get into this and what do you enjoy doing it?
HM: Flying has always fascinated me. I started taking lessons years ago and absolutely fell in love with it. I actually got pretty far into it and was already doing my solo flights, which by itself was completely breathtaking and something I’ll never forget. There’s nothing like being up there on your own, fully focused and completely present in the moment.
But then Queen of the South happened, life got busy, and I never got the chance to fully finish getting my pilot’s license. It’s something I’ve always wanted to go back to and restart because it’s still a big dream of mine to complete that journey.
What I love most about flying is the sense of freedom and focus that comes with it. When you’re up there, everything else kind of disappears, and you have to be completely present in the moment. There’s something peaceful and humbling about being above the clouds and seeing the world from a different perspective. I definitely plan on getting back into lessons and finally earning my license so I can fully enjoy everything that flying brings.
AM: We know that you are passionate about spreading awareness about Down Syndrome. Why is this important to you?
HM: It’s important to me because I believe every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Spreading awareness helps create understanding, compassion, and inclusion. I’ve met so many incredible individuals and families within that community, and their strength, love, and joy are genuinely inspiring. If I can use my platform to bring more awareness and positivity to it, then that means a lot to me.
AM: When you are not on set, how do you take time for yourself!
HM: Honestly, I’m happiest when I’m with my family. That’s what recharges me the most. I also enjoy working out, golfing, playing tennis, watching movies, listening to music, and just slowing things down a bit. I especially love spending time with my wife, Jesse, listening to her write or play music around the house. Those little moments mean everything to me. Our industry moves fast, so finding balance and making time to be present is really important to me.
IG @hemky
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Jake Lyles
Read the MAY ISSUE #125 of Athleisure Mag and see DEEP CHARACTER | Hemky Madera in mag.
