As the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Umbrella Academy wraps up its four season run, star David Castañeda opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about how taking on the role of Diego Hargreeves over the past six years helped spur his own growth both personally and professionally.
Castañeda spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about landing the role of Diego early in his career, when he was still feeling insecure as a newcomer to the industry. He found himself able to relate deeply to Diego’s struggles with abandonment issues and a strong drive to prove his worth at the time. Now at age 34, Castañeda says portraying the character over the multiple seasons has given him a new outlook.
In an interview, Castañeda reflected on how when he was younger he felt a constant need to know everything due to uncertainty, but now embraces not having all the answers and maintaining an open, curious mindset. He also observed how Diego himself experienced evolution, from confronting his flaws to balancing his duty-centric sense of masculinity with his true self. The actor drew on personal experiences to bring more nuance to the character in the show’s finale season.
Based on the comic book series, The Umbrella Academy follows siblings with unique powers who reunite to save the world from impending disasters. In the fourth season, the characters lose their abilities and must adjust to normal lives, with Diego struggling to balance his new responsibilities as a husband and father figure. Castañeda viewed this storyline as reflective of challenges many men face when their identity becomes tied up in domestic roles.
While wrapping up many character arcs, the final season was not without off-screen controversy over claims of a toxic work environment, though showrunner Steve Blackman’s representative denied the allegations. Castañeda chose to speak positively from his own experience working with Blackman throughout the series. As The Umbrella Academy concludes, Castañeda sees it as an important chapter ending, likening the six-year experience to finishing high school. He is excited to star in the upcoming Ballerina spin-off film while moving into a new creative phase.
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