IN CONVERSATION WITH ASH SANTOS

interview by JANA LETONJA

Ash Santos is stepping confidently into her breakout era. With a growing slate of high-profile roles across film and television, the Dominican and Puerto Rican actress continues to prove her versatility and screen presence. She stars as Andrea Cruz in Taylor Sheridan’s highly anticipated Yellowstone spinoff Marshals, which premiered on the 1st of March, and was recently seen in Netflix’s medical drama Pulse and the feature Our Little Secret opposite Lindsay Lohan. From gritty dramas like Mayor of Kingstown and True Story to genre-spanning projects that range from horror to comedy, Ash is building a career defined by range, resilience, and authenticity, one role at a time.

Marshals introduces audiences to Andrea Cruz. What initially drew you to this character?

What first drew me to Andrea Cruz was her strength. I’ve always been drawn to physically capable women on screen, and it feels like an honour that I now get to be one of them. 

Working within the Taylor Sheridan universe comes with a very specific tone. How did you prepare for that world?

One thing I’ve learned about working in the Sheridan universe is that you’re essentially joining a family. The producers take such good care of you and work so hard to make sure you’re given everything you need to thrive. It’s a privilege to be a part of their world and help bring one of their stories to life. 

dress BCBGMAXAZRIA
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK from THE VINTAGE MARCHÉ
earrings HEFANG
ring KINRADEN

What makes Marshals feel distinct from the Yellowstone universe audiences already know?

Marshals is a whole new spin on the world of Yellowstone. While there’s a lot of tribute to the world Sheridan created, we add new elements that fans have yet to see. Higher stakes. Faster pace. Propulsive drama. 

dress SIMKHAI
earrings and ring KINRADEN
necklaces STERLING FOREVER
shoes BRUNO MAGLI

After Pulse and Our Little Secret, how did working on Netflix productions differ from network television?

I grew up on network television, so working on Marshals oddly feels like I’m coming home to something. It’s refreshing to shoot a project that will roll out episodes on a weekly basis instead of all at one time to binge. We’re giving fans time to digest each episode week after week. 

How do you ground yourself emotionally when a role asks for intensity or vulnerability?

I always try to create memories in character, so that when a scene calls for intensity or vulnerability, I can pull from those “memories” to ground myself. It’s a lot easier for me to do that than rely on experiences from my own life. For incredibly intense scenes, I’ll often journal in character to mentally prepare. 

dress STOLEN STORES
earrings UNWRITTEN
necklace STERLING FOREVER

As a Dominican and Puerto Rican actress, how important is cultural representation in the projects you choose?

It’s interesting, but for me, the work is the representation. People seeing a woman who looks like me playing a Marshal in a Western, carrying a badge, that’s the win. I hope I keep getting to tell all different types of stories. 

trench DRIES VAN NOTEN
shirt CHANEL
shorts CULTNAKED
shoes ALEVÍ MILANO
necklace STERLING FOREVER

When you’re not working, what helps you reset and recharge?

My children and my partner. When I’m not working, I’m with my family. Driving kids to school and cooking dinner for everyone. It’s a very normal life, and I love that I’m not tied to the industry in a personal way. 

What does a perfect day off look like for you?

Wake up, drink some coffee while I read a book, get a good workout in, spend time with my family, order takeout, scroll TikTok while sitting in the bath, tuck my kids into bed, then cosy up on the couch with my boyfriend watching TV. 

dress NORMA KAMALI
earrings STERLING FOREVER
shoes VINTAGE JIMMY CHOO from THE VINTAGE MARCHÉ

dress MAISON MARGIELA

Was there a specific moment in your career when things began to feel like they were clicking?

Honestly? Booking Marshals. The day of the screen test, John Papsidiera pulled me aside and whispered, “Congratulations, it’s yours.” I had to hold back tears. It was a moment I had waited for years to finally experience. 

What kind of roles are you hoping to explore next that audiences haven’t seen from you yet?

I’d be honoured to keep doing Westerns. Preferably a period piece next. And then, because I keep surprising myself with how physically capable I am, I’d love to keep doing action as well.

dress TANG CHI COUTURE

TEAM CREDITS

talent ASH SANTOS
photography ASHLEY CHAPPELL
styling MEGAN ZINA
makeup AUSTIN SATHER
hair RENDY STODGHILL at OPUS BEAUTY
photography assistant JON LEO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA