Julio Peña, until recently a teen idol thanks to the romantic saga “Through My Window,” has made a remarkable leap in his career. From roles in Disney projects in Argentina and a spinoff of “La Casa de Papel,” he went on to work with Alejandro Amenábar. In the new historical drama “El cautivo,” the young actor from San Sebastián convincingly transforms into Miguel de Cervantes, portraying a difficult period of his life during captivity in Algiers.
This role became a true challenge for him. Amenábar’s film, in which Peña shares the screen with accomplished actors such as Miguel Rellán and Fernando Tejero, addresses the sensitive topic of the alleged homosexuality of the “Don Quixote” author. The actor himself explained that the director deliberately chose this perspective, relying on existing theories. In his view, this approach enriched the narrative and added depth to the character. The film does not assert anything for certain, but rather explores the image of a man who may have faced internal impulses without knowing how to deal with them.
Despite his growing popularity and millions of followers on social media, Julio is very protective of his private life. He was born in Donostia but grew up in Madrid after his family moved there for work. Initially, he planned to study advertising and audiovisual communications, but his passion for theater changed everything. He admits that the stage helped him find himself during a difficult teenage period. Family and friends remain his main support. He has a sister, as well as a half-brother and half-sister on his father’s side. He still maintains friendships with the same people from before his film career began and is convinced they help him stay grounded.
Peña speaks even less about his romantic relationships. He was rumored to have had a brief romance with Brazilian actress Isabela Soares de Souza, his co-star in the series “Bia.” The on-screen chemistry with Clara Galle in the “Through My Window” trilogy sparked a lot of speculation, but these turned out to be nothing more than fans’ fantasies. The only thing he has shared on the subject is what irritates him in relationships. The actor admitted he can’t stand it when a partner replies to messages instantly, preferring a more measured pace of communication.
But the rising star also has other, completely unexpected interests. It turns out he shares a passion for cooking with Tamara Falcó. Like the Marquesa de Griñón, he studied French cuisine at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu. He loves cooking for his loved ones and dreams of opening his own restaurant in the future. For now, though, his thoughts are occupied with acting, a profession for which he is immensely grateful. In his free time, he volunteers by leading the children’s theater group where he once performed himself. For him, being an actor is an opportunity to constantly explore himself, to experience a full spectrum of emotions— from pain to love— on stage and in front of the camera, and to share this with the audience.
