IN CONVERSATION WITH RAÚL CASTILLO

interview by JANA LETONJA
photography JENNY ANDERSON

Raúl Castillo has earned a reputation as one of today’s most versatile and compelling actors, seamlessly moving between indie gems, major studio projects, and prestige television. Fresh off acclaimed performances in films like ‘The Inspection’ and ‘Cassandro’, Raúl now stars alongside Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey in HBO’s ‘Task’, Brad Ingelsby’s highly anticipated follow-up to ‘Mare of Easttown’. With a slate of projects this year that also include ‘Smile 2’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Barron’s Cove’, and ‘Cold Wallet’, he continues to prove why he’s a favorite among directors and audiences alike. Known for bringing depth and authenticity to every role, he remains committed to telling stories that resonate deeply, particularly those rooted in Latino culture and identity.

You’re starring in HBO’s ‘Task’. How did this project first come to you, and what drew you in?

Jeremiah Zagar, who directed me in ‘We the Animals’, first told me about the project a few months before the actors’ strike. I had a brief cameo in Jeremiah’s follow-up, the Adam Sandler’s Netflix film ‘Hustle’, and we continued to look for ways to collaborate. When he told me he was directing the new series by the writer of ‘Mare of Easttown’, I was in. My wife and I were huge fans of that show and the prospect of being part of that world, with Jeremiah directing, was thrilling. 

Brad Ingelsby has a distinct voice as a storyteller. What excited you about working on his follow-up to ‘Mare of Easttown’?

First of all, like ‘Mare of Easttown’, the cast of ‘Task’ is ridiculously good. Headed by Mark Ruffalo, a personal hero of mine, I knew I would be surrounded by incredible talent. And to have Brad Ingelsby’s scripts as a starting point, the potential was limitless. Part of Brad’s genius is his ability to give each character a serious dose of humanity. There are no characters that are just there to move the story along or deliver plot points. They are all layered people with real wants and desires. As a writer, he gives you so many levels to play with, and as a show runner, he is supremely generous and collaborative, allowing you, as an actor, to bring your whole self to the process. You couldn’t ask for a more giving partner.

Can you tell us about your character in ‘Task’ and what makes him compelling to play? 

Cliff Broward is a sanitation worker, a lone wolf, and part of a home invasion crew led by his best friend, Robbie Prendergrast. We don’t learn much about Cliff in the context of the series, but he is a bit of an orphan and much of his world revolves around his “found family”. His loyalty to Robbie felt familiar to me. Cliff generally doesn’t like or trust people, but he loves dogs. And he loves Robbie. He’ll do anything for Robbie, including putting his life at risk. In the context of our show, we see how far he’ll go for his friend.

The series has such a grounded, human tone. How did you prepare to step into that world? 

It helps working with grounded, human people. The moment I met Tom Pelphry, I knew we had something special. We have to believe that these guys, Robbie and Cliff, trust each other. We have to believe that they have a shared history. Tom and I met doing sanitation worker training just before the start of the shoot and we hit it off from the get-go. There was an ease and a short-hand between us that made the job an absolute joy. Tom is the best kind of scene partner, giving and generous, present and connected. When the chemistry is that good, you don’t have to fake a thing. You just have to talk to the human being in front of you and live truthfully in the circumstances. Tom is that kind of actor. I could do ten seasons of the show with him and not get bored.

You’ve been part of both large-scale productions and intimate indies. What do you love most about each experience?

The people. Filmmaking and TV and theater are collaborative art forms. For me, it’s always about the people you’re going to work with each day. There is nothing that disappoints me more than work that is transactional. I get that sometimes it has to be that way, it’s not always going to be a love fest. But when a group of people show up, put their egos aside, and commit to a common goal, to telling the story in the most truthful, generous way, the sky is the limit. That’s how it was with ‘Task’. Everyone was there for all the right reasons. We all believed in the story and in Brad’s vision. We were all committed to that common goal. That, for me, is when storytelling is best. That is when it transcends, no matter the scale of the production. 

This has been a huge year for you with multiple projects. How do you choose roles at this stage in your career?

In no particular order, it’s script, character, director. When those three things line up, I’m in. Is it a story that I want to see out in the world? Is this a character I connect with on a visceral level? Are these artists I want to collaborate with? My body and heart tell me when it’s right. I’ve learned to trust that instinct. And then, I talk every project out with Alexis, my wife. She helps me process it all. She knows me better than anyone and always helps guide me in the right direction. 

You’ve consistently championed Latino stories on screen. What responsibility do you feel as an actor in terms of representation?

The most important thing in terms of representation is that I do the best work I can and with integrity. That I try and bring humanity to my characters and tell the story as faithfully as possible. That I work on quality material with quality people. That I honor myself as an artist first. It’s important that I do work that 8-year-old Raúl would be proud of. That’s the best way to represent, I think. Oftentimes, that means I’m the only Latino in the room, and I think that is just as meaningful, if not more, as being one of many on a project. It’s just as important for me to be in ‘Hand that Rocks the Cradle’ as it is for me to be on ‘Vida’.

How has your own background and identity influenced the way you approach roles?

Being a kid who was born and raised on the US/Texas-Mexico border no doubt has had a huge impact on me as a storyteller. It’s interesting to see the border used so much in political discourse and for fodder in the media and yet, so few Americans actually spend time down there. It’s easy to feel unseen when you’re from the border. I became a playwright because I wanted to tell stories about where I grew up. I wanted to “be seen”. It’s important for me to give the characters that I play an inner life. The camera, in my mind, sees everything. The camera is your best friend. As long as I stay loyal to the emotional truths of my character, I know the camera will see it. And that inner life will live out on the screen. 

Looking back, is there a particular role that felt like a turning point in your career?

It’s particularly meaningful to be back at HBO where, a little over a decade ago, the role of Richie Donado Ventura on the series ‘Looking’ really changed the trajectory of my career. There are still plenty of professional challenges and hurdles I’ve faced since then, but ‘Looking’ and that character truly had a profound impact on my life. I don’t think I would be where I am today without that role. 

How do you stay grounded and balanced while juggling so many projects in a single year?

I’ve been fortunate to work consistently these last few years, but there is still plenty of downtime. I try and spend it with my family and the people I love. My family certainly keeps me grounded. And I try to go home to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas whenever I get a chance.

Outside of acting, what passions or creative outlets keep you inspired?

The New York Times crossword puzzle. Also, I like seeing movies and plays. Good art inspires me. 

With such an exciting slate of upcoming work, what’s next for you? What kinds of stories do you still want to tell?

I’m really excited about ‘Hand that Rocks the Cradle’. Michelle Garza Cervera, who directed that film, is super talented. She made a movie in Mexico called ‘Huesera: The Bone Woman’ that was incredible. ‘Hand that Rocks the Cradle’ is her American debut and I’m excited for audiences here to get to know her work. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe are phenomenal in it. Stories that eliminate the human condition are my favorite. And working with established auteurs and new voices, both, excite me. 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent RAÚL CASTILLO
photography JENNY ANDERSON
styling CHRISTOPHER KIM
grooming JESSI BUTTERFIELD
interview JANA LETONJA