Eugenio Derbez and Enrique Árrizon return as the younger and older Máximo Gallardo in season 3 of … [+]
Acapulco returns for its eagerly awaited third season, and the bilingual comedy set on the Mexican beach resort of Las Colinas, promises fans a blend of humor, family dynamics, and an engaging storyline with some big changes and fresh faces.
Renowned telenovela star Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin, Schmigadoon) and Cristo Fernandez, known for his “futbol is life” energy on Ted Lasso and Karen Rodríguez (Swarm) are guest stars. Camil and Rodríguez, in particular, create a great deal of turmoil.
“When our guest stars come in, they’re creating problems for our main characters and driving story back to the folks we love,” says Sam Layborne, who joined season 3 as showrunner and executive producer. And their actions “create tons of dramatic conflict and comedy throughout the season.”
For main character Máximo Gallardo, portrayed by Eugenio Derbez in the present day narrating embellished stories of his younger self in the 1980s (played by Enrique Arrizon), the new season holds pivotal moments. While young Máximo is doing a lot to prove why he is worthy of becoming the head of resort operations, replacing Don Pablo (Damian Alcázar) – going as far as doing questionable things that put his relationship with Julia (Camilia Perez) in danger – the older Máximo contends with a Las Colinas resort that’s almost unrecognizable.
Jaime Camil guest stars on “Acapulco” season 3.
We also learn a lot more about the backstories of some characters, providing viewers a different perspective. Amid the upheaval, Acapulco maintains its core identity. Derbez believes the show is a rarity in today’s television landscape.
“It’s a family friendly series and there aren’t many of them. If you watch television, any platform, it’s full of series about violence, kidnapping, murder. Acapulco is something can watch with your kids, with your abuelitas, with anyone, and you’re going to enjoy it.”
For Derbez, it’s also about portraying Mexico in a positive light. “On Acapulco, you can see that Mexico is more than just violence and narcos.” And the show has resonated with a global audience.
“It’s always been the goal with this show to be universal, that everything that our characters are going through is relatable,” says Austin Winsberg, series co-creator and executive producer. “Young Maximo is someone who wants a better life for himself and his family. The stories that we’re telling our workplace stories, romance stories, underdog stories, these are things that I think anybody can relate to globally. I think it’s actually the specificity that makes it more universal, because I think that everybody relates to their own cultural specifics.”
Authenticity was key in developing the characters and storylines, says Winsberg.
“That’s been really important from the very beginning of creating the show with Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Schuman to having a predominantly Mexican or Latin writing staff to having an entirely Mexican crew, almost entirely Mexican and Latin cast….We are always trying to be as deeply respectful and open to every possibility of what makes the show feel true.”
Cristo Fernández joins the cast of “Acapulco” season 3.
Part of that is due to how the cast and crew have connected as the series – and its characters – have evolved.
“We’ve been together for three years. We have really bonded, and we are very focused on this new season and making it as perfect as possible,” shares Árrizon. “I think the third season continues to deliver more, of a feel good coming of age story that the series is known for. And it offers audiences a welcome respite, a moment to laugh and escape and just binge watch.”
Expect some more surprises and a new cliffhanger at the end of the season that will make you want to see Apple TV+ renew the series.
In addition to Derbez and Árrizon, the returning Acapulco ensemble cast includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Vanessa Bauche, Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco, and Carlos Corona Acapulco season 3 premieres May 1 with the first two episodes. New episodes drop every Wednesday through June 19.
