Bringing a villain to life on screen isn’t always about showing pure evil. Sometimes, it’s a deep look into the hidden cracks within people. That’s how Flavio Medina sees it. He’s back on our screens as the feared Alfredo Suárez in the second season of Isla Brava. This original series from ViX drops new episodes on July 11th.
Medina, the 56-year-old Mexican actor, recently shared how he built a character who is less an enemy and more a truly broken man. He explained that you have to figure out why someone is so fractured. "What must have happened to make him act this way?" Medina wondered aloud. "I don’t excuse his actions, but I do understand him. It’s a very personal acting job."
This season, Alfredo returns as a man on the run, plotting new schemes of corruption and revenge. The law may be after him, but his most dangerous enemies are closer than he thinks. A determined journalist wants to expose him. A network of unexpected allies is also closing in. Medina explains that his character will use anyone, even his own wife and daughter, to get what he wants. "When bad things touch family, the pain becomes much deeper," he said.
The series blends suspense with emotional storytelling. Alfredo finds himself at the center of a plot involving blackmail, extortion, and even a plane crash caused by criminals. But for Medina, the real challenge wasn’t the action scenes. It was the quieter, more personal moments. "Even in the first season, scenes with the women were the hardest for me," he admitted. "They carried a very strong emotional weight."
A New Face in the Game
Stepping into this dark world is Camila Soler, played by Ludwika Paleta. She joins the cast as a feminist journalist. Camila is determined to uncover the truth about the case. Paleta described her character: "Camila isn’t there to please anyone. She’s a woman focused on her career, without a partner or children. She has a very clear goal: to find the truth."
Both actors agreed that filming this season was tough. Not only because of the characters’ deep emotions, but also due to the sheer physical demands. Many action scenes were shot during long night hours. "Lou and I filmed scenes at four in the morning, dead tired," Flavio recalled with a laugh. "But we were there, giving it our all."
Despite their years of experience, neither Medina nor Paleta fully enjoy watching themselves on screen. "I always judge myself," Paleta confessed. "I look for mistakes, repeated gestures, things viewers might not notice, but I do." Flavio agreed, saying, "You watch yourself and remember everything you could have done better. But you also see the impact of the character when you watch the whole story."
Isla Brava isn’t just a visually impressive show. It’s also a deep dive into characters that feel very human, no matter how questionable their actions. Pitipol Ybarra directed the series. Emmy nominee Esther Feldman wrote the script. The show was filmed in beautiful Spanish locations like Madrid, Toledo, and Denia.
The second season of Isla Brava will be available only on ViX starting July 11th for premium subscribers.