DEEP CHARACTER | HEMKY MADERA

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.

IT'S ABOUT THE CHARACTER | REBECCA HENDERSON

We always have a series of shows that we look forward to watching and have placed on our Bingely Streaming list. This month, a number of shows are currently in that group. We caught up with Rebecca Henderson who is currently in Freeform's Single Drunk Female, Netflix's Inventing Anna and the upcoming 2nd season of Russian Doll.

She shared how she came to acting, preparing for her characters, chatted about these shows that are out now, upcoming projects and how she takes time for herself.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You have appeared in a number of shows we enjoy from Westworld, Orange is the New Black, Russian Doll and I am really enjoying seeing you in Single Drunk Female. What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to act and to do it professionally?

REBECCA HENDERSON: Oh my gosh! Nobody has asked me that, that’s such a good question!

AM: Really?

RH: Yeah! It’s so funny. I’m from Canada and I was a synchronized swimmer – it’s a different kind of performance and then I didn’t want to be a swimmer anymore and I was in junior high basically and I took my first drama class and I just loved the people so much and the community of it. I loved how much it taught me about being a teenager and just not knowing anything. I was such an uncomfortable and embarrassed person that it made me feel that we all pretty much feel like that. I never stopped. I went to undergrad for it and I came to NY and I did my Masters degree in Theater at Columbia and that was that!

AM: What’s your process like when you see these projects coming to you. How do you decide on something that you want to do and be attached to?

RH: Basically, I read it and if I like it, then it’s like – let’s go! It’s not that mysterious. If it speaks to me, I go for it generally and I would say that there is something about actors that when we start auditioning for something, you start to fall in love with the thing and you start to really want it which is part of it. So sometimes when I get offered roles that I don’t audition for, I kind of find it more difficult because it’s like, “ok, now I’m here – I hope that they like what I’m going to do.”

AM: Ha it becomes a bit of a grab bag!

RH: Yeah, it’s like, “is that what you wanted – am I fired?” Once I get a part, I tend to read it over and over again. I am obsessed with knowing the lines word perfect forward and backward and I tend to just write, fantasize about it – I think about the voice, the movement, the costumes. The hair always helps. I love to do my hair for parts. Then of course, when you’re there for the day and you’re there with the other actors, that’s when it hopefully comes together.

AM: Once you have immersed yourself in your character, is it difficult for you to step away from that when you’re no longer doing that role?

RH: It depends on the material. I find that if I have worked many days in a row and then suddenly, I have time off, there is a dip more so in my own personal mood. When you’re on all the time and you’re so focused on these long hours and then you’re just like, “ok, what am I going to do today?” I don’t have makeup on, I look weird – so that I find harder. I have done a lot of theater and sometimes I think that when you do theater and you have done it for such a long time and you’re always living for that 8pm current, it can be a little more all-encompassing.

AM: What drew you to Single Drunk Female?

RH: Well, I love the sponsor/sponsee dynamic. I have many friends in recovery, addiction is something that has touched so many of our lives and I thought it was hilarious as someone who is very honest and very straightforward, I think that I would make a good sponsor. I loved the idea of this show that was just this young person – we don’t have that many young female protagonists trying to get sober – we just don’t have that. So I liked that that story was being told.

AM: What did you pull from to become Olivia who is such a great character.

RH: Thank you!

AM: There’s such a bite to her, but at the same time, we see this duality of how she is in her sponsor relationship, and we also see how she is in her own relationship with her wife. You get the sense that when you see people who are dominate in one area of their life, that they have a different personality in other areas of their life and they’re juggling just like everybody else.

RH: Yes, that’s so smart. She’s an alcoholic. She happens to be sober for 10 years, but I think that at work and when she is in her sponsorship role, she really understands what she is talking about and then at home with her wife, there’s another source of energy where it’s like, “I don’t know and are you happy?” She really throws herself into work and working with her sponsees so she could probably stand to spend a little more time with her wife and paying attention to her needs.

AM: The other thing that is really great about this show is that you see all of these different interactions. When we first heard about the show, we knew that it would be about seeing the process of someone who is an alcoholic and their journey to being sober. But then we really get a birds eye view on how it affects the family members and the quirky things that they are trying to deal with. How important is it to show these full 360s of what it is like when someone is part of that community of people?

RH: I think that the show really shows the way that alcohol has brought her to this point. How alcohol isn't going to fix what's currently going on and how she has a lot of repairing to do and that she has to exist in a world without alcohol. So there are so many firsts that she has to make it through. She has to make out first with someone without alcohol, she has to apologize to somebody without alcohol, she has to put herself in all of these awkward situations and attempt to not start drinking again. That’s the way life is and we have a real problem in this country with alcohol. If you go out to dinner and sit down at the table, there are wine glasses already there. I’m glad that this show is in the half hour comedy format where it can go out to the country and it’s a light touch on how we can start talking about these things.

AM: I think it’s also great that with the show being on Freeform which has other programs that are also focused on making its viewers aware of issues – there is a scene in the series where she goes to where her friend is trying on bridal gowns and the glass of champagne is being passed to her and you see her navigating that situation. Prior to COVID, if I was out for a media event and you decided not to drink there was a need to explain why and that you weren’t feeling well or to have a club soda with lime in your hand to give the appearance of a cocktail so that you didn’t have to say anything. So it’s definitely something that people are aware of.

RH: Yes and there’s a lot of pressure around it where people feel like, well if you’re not drinking, where is my drinking buddy? Then you start thinking about your own drinking. I love that scene from the show because she gets that glass and she’s holding that glass way out!

AM: Yeah and eventually she tells someone else to hold the glass.

RH: Yeah, she was very scared. I think that that is a big fear for a lot of alcoholics that they will go to a party and a drink will be put down on the table and it will look like seltzer but it’s actually a vodka.

AM: That juxtaposed against the St. Patrick’s scene where the two sober friends are “playing” a game as they navigate past people who are drinking and heading to various parties. As a viewer, it makes you think about this on another level and even though this season is only 10 episodes, what is your hope if there is another season – what will we see between your character and her wife and how would you like to explore that sponsor/sponsee relationship?

RH: I mean, I was just thinking that I would like to see Olivia’s rock bottom and how she got sober if we did flashbacks. I think that that would be really interesting. Perhaps how she met Stephanie and how they fell in love. I’d love to see them become parents and see how that relationship as a mother/child is sort of mirrored in a way like Carol and Sam’s relationships. Also, what might that bring up for someone who is in recovery? To suddenly have a baby in the house and not be able to sleep. It would be interesting to be able to dig into those tools.

AM: The other part that is interesting to watch with Olivia is the sponsor/sponsee relationship where she operates in two different ways. Sometimes she’s like, look you have to figure things out and have a plan and then there is a compassionate side where she says if you can't be by yourself, come with her and her wife on a weekend trip – even though she was not down for that. This tough love and safety net paradigm is such a powerful relationship to see there.

RH: I mean, I think it goes to a bit of a codependent area where her wife is telling Olivia that Sam has to take care of herself. I think that Olivia really sees herself in Sam and she has a kind of a motherly quality toward her. She really wants her to succeed.

AM: While talking with you about this, I’m really excited that Inventing Anna has dropped and can’t wait to see it.

RH: I’m so excited to and I’m so happy that it’s finally out there!

AM: We’ve listened to so many podcasts about Anna Delvey and since we’re based in NY it’s definitely been making the rounds of conversation. What was it like being apart of this project, being able to work on this Shonda Rhimes production and tell us about who your character is on this show.

RH: I loved, loved, loved working on this show and I also live in NY and we shot in NY. I’m basically obsessed with Shonda Rhimes – meeting her was the highlight of my life! She appeared and was like, “I’m Shonda” and I was like my God! She’s an amazing woman. We started shooting right before the pandemic. It was one of the best projects that I have ever had. There were tons of NY theater people and amazing actors. Julia Garner and Anna Chlumsky are just like unbelievable. I play the prosecutor, A.D.A. Catherine McCaw. I’m obsessed with putting this woman away in prison. I was just saying that I feel like Shonda has successfully just told the first female sociopath story. By the end, you really get it and you understand why people lent her this money and she’s very, very smart. I also like that this series puts forth this idea that if she had been a man, she probably wouldn’t have gone to jail because men on Wall Street do this all the time.

AM: Very true.

RH: Yeah, but she’s in jail and I put her there.

AM: It’s definitely going to be good and there’s such great buzz around it.

Are there other projects that you have going on that we should keep an eye out for?

RH: Yes, in April, Russian Doll season 2 comes out. I’m back in my character Lizzie with blonde hair and I’m very excited for that. I did 2 movies with Sigourney Weaver. One I play her daughter and in the other, I play her friend. One of them is called, Call Jane it was just at Sundance and now it’s at the Berlin Film Festival and The Good House should be coming out soon, it was at TIFF earlier this year and it should be coming out in the next couple of months.

AM: When you’re not in the mix of planning projects, how do you take time for yourself – do you have a workout regimen, do you like shopping? What does Rebecca do?

RH: Well my wife works in the industry as well and is currently making a Star Wars series (Editor's Note: Leslye Headland is an executive producer, showrunner and writer for Disney+'s The Acolyte). I love being a wife and I really love taking care of her. People who really work at a high level in this business really need help. Maybe it sounds silly to say, but I really love cooking meals, making sure she has what she needs!

I do love walking and I spend a lot of time talking with my friends that are also a bunch of actors and we process all of our stuff together. I love shopping and everything that you said I love!

IG @therebeccahenderson

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Freeform/Single Drunk Female

Read the FEB ISSUE #74 of Athleisure Mag and see IT’S ABOUT THE CHARACTER | Rebecca Henderson in mag.

BING3WATCH | WESTWORLD

Read the Jun Issue #54 of Athleisure Mag and see BING3WATCH | WESTWORLD in mag.