Galician actor Luis Tosar, born in Cospeito, Lugo in 1971, has long been a cornerstone of Spanish cinema. He has delivered powerful performances in roles akin to those in his acclaimed films such as Sunny Mondays, I Say You My Eyes, and Cell 211, earning three Goya Awards along the way. More than a quarter of a century later, Tosar remains highly visible on screen, though the TV spotlight has historically been less his realm. That changed with a notable exception: Midas Favorites on Netflix. Tosar has said the project centers more on cinema, even as a viewer, yet he couldn’t pass up the chance when Netflix offered Up to the Sky: series, a project that expands the arc of Rogelio, the head of the criminal gang from the film. His signature piercing gaze and carved eyebrows underscore a character whose deepest longing is to be seen as a legitimate businessman, while also grappling with the fatherly pain of watching his daughter grow independent.
He isn’t a TV regular, but he could not refuse the invitation.
The connection to the story was already present. Rogelio appears in the film and in cielo, so joining the series felt natural. It was also a chance for the creators, Daniel Calparsoro and screenwriter Jorge Guerricaechevarría, to deepen Rogelio beyond the film versus the lighter, more stereotyped portrayal. The series offered a streamlined way to explore the character more fully while preserving the essence that fans already recognized.
I never had much time to get involved in TV projects
And why not more often? There were years without a single television commitment, sometimes spanning seven years, partly due to limited time or a lack of interest?
Movies tell complete stories with clear beginnings and endings, and as a spectator, the format feels right. Television, on the other hand, demanded long, fixed commitments that could stretch for many episodes across seasons. He preferred projects with a finite arc and flexibility over enduring schedules.
Now that is changing.
Today, platforms offer a variety of formats, some longer and others shorter, allowing for more manageable planning and pacing.
Tell me about Rogelio. Some say he remains a stereotype. Could he be developed further?
The aim was to explain more about his background, the choices that shaped him, and the gang he represents. Rogelio is a familiar underworld figure, yet the series grants a closer look at lives that usually stay off screen. The goal was to present a grounded portrayal, rooted in recognizably human motivations rather than a mere criminal facade.
“Hasta el cielo: the underworld in the series is close to the people we know”
Could he be our neighbor?
The characters come from a local milieu, men who are more domestic and closer to everyday life than the grand antagonists portrayed in other cinemas. The evolution in the series invites a tighter, deeper self-reflection, telling a story that resonates with lived experiences.
It is not surprising that a criminal can be a loving grandfather. That humanity is unsettling.
Humanity is part of every person. It is evident that someone can be both a family member and a figure of power. The narrative treats Rogelio as a multi-dimensional character, someone who loves his family while fiercely safeguarding his interests. The tension lies in balancing ambition with a sense of consequence and control.
“Rogelio wants his daughter to stay connected, but he also pushes against limits”
His daughter Sole, now widowed, seeks to run the business on her own. Why this resistance? Is it about protection, pride, or fear of loss of control?
Rogelio’s world mirrors a parent’s instinct to shield the next generation, yet independence can clash with protective instincts. Sole’s assertiveness pushes for a stake in the family enterprise, and Rogelio, while proud, worries about losing influence. The dynamic shows a man who wants power to stay intact while conceding a place for his daughter to grow—an ongoing struggle in a landscape where power is earned and contested.
Do you justify the choices of Rogelio?
Justification is not the actor’s burden. There are roles that demand understanding without endorsement. In Rogelio’s case, the objective is to grasp his motives and the consequences of his actions without approving them. Just as in other works, the aim is to see the driving force behind his conduct and the human context of his decisions, even when they clash with moral expectations.
For example, the abusive husband in I’m giving you eyes or the difficult doorman in While you sleep?
The actor’s task is to inhabit the character, to uncover the reasons behind their behavior, not to excuse it. Rogelio is approached with that intent: a man with a family to protect, who nonetheless moves through morally grey terrain. The world he inhabits is messy, and the story reflects that reality.
The series ends with a decisive finale. Could there be more Rogelio in a new season?
There is much more to tell, but for now the story reaches a clear point. The door remains open for additional chapters, yet this installment delivers a complete arc that stands on its own.