Some viewers who watched the latest Primavera Voice may have wondered about the Chimera, a figure cast as a trap singer who claims he must perform at a Barcelona festival, only to vanish at the end. The show’s premise uses a clever marketing hook to promote a new Spanish series, weaving a narrative that blends fiction with reality. The plot centers on a premature death connected to drugs and a world of music that frequently faces such tragedies, all seen through the lens of a young and rising star.
The Chimera stands as the lead of The Fanatic, a character created with a strikingly authentic feel. The role is played by Lorenzo Ferro, a 23-year-old Argentine performer known for work on Narcos: Mexico and El marginal. Ferro is more than an actor here—he also writes and performs three songs for the series, showcasing his musical talent as part of the storytelling. The production also features Alizzz and C. Tangana, renowned for writing songs for major artists like Rosalía, Aitana, Lola Indigo, and Becky G. Their involvement adds depth to the Chimera’s double life as both a performer and a persona that travels through the world of the series as Lazarus, a young delivery man who witnesses the idol’s death amid a concert crowd.
Directors Roger Guel, known for Smoking Room and 7 Years, helps steer this project created by Dani del Águila, Federico Maniá Sibona, and Yago de Torres. The creative team sought another layer of realism by casting urban music artists Dollar Selmouni and Carlota Urdiales in pivotal roles. Selmouni embodies the curmudgeonly musician who acts as the Chimera’s manager and ally, while Urdiales plays the singer’s partner. A number of cameo appearances from people in the industry, including Santa Salut and Swit Eme, contribute to the sense of an authentic music ecosystem. The narrative builds on the idea that the star might be emulated to an extreme, with visuals like dyeing hair, tattooing likenesses, and impersonating the idol on social media, reflecting the profound reach and influence of a public figure who shares a powerful physical resemblance to the real star.
Examining the posthumous music industry
The story probes a moral question at the heart of the music business: does the industry care more about buzz than the people behind the art? The director emphasizes a core dilemma—the living must navigate fame after the loss of a public figure who continues to sell records. The show situates Quimera as a cunning and ambitious manager, using the arc to explore the shady aspects of fame and how it can revive a younger generation while exposing the fragility of those who chase the spotlight. The Barcelona shoot location adds a concrete atmosphere, grounding the drama in a real cultural setting.
As Ferro notes, the drama reveals what a life in the limelight can look like for an idol. It captures the desire for fame and the cost that often accompanies it. The series unfolds in short segments, with episodes around 20 minutes each that progressively tighten the pace. The structure creates a sense of dizziness as the plot accelerates, prompting viewers to reflect on how quickly a career can rise and how easily it can unravel. The actor prepared by watching both fictional films and documentaries about how young talents rise to stardom, drawing inspiration from real stories of rapid fame.
One salient example discussed in the series touches on the tragic case of a young rapper who died at 21. This element serves as a reminder of the harsh realities that can accompany rapid success and the questions it raises about purpose and meaning in life. The director acknowledges that these are sorrowful but important narratives, inviting audiences to consider what fame truly costs and what remains when the applause fades. The overall arc presents a vivid portrait of the music world as a space where ambition, vulnerability, and performance intersect in powerful, sometimes painful ways.