By Kiko Martinez
In the first season of the mun2 bilingual series “RPM Miami,” actress Paulina Gálvez plays Ana Karina, a police detective who keeps busy in Miami and the fictional city of Sunny Harbor where the underground racing scene is always full of drama.
Gálvez, who was born in Chile and raised in Spain, moved to the U.S. six years ago to continue her career as an actress. While living abroad, she was featured in a number of films including “L'Auberge Espagnole” with Audrey Tatou, a role that earned her a Goya Award nomination for Best Actress, and 1994’s “El detective y la muerte” with Javier Bardem.
During an exclusive interview with EXTRA, Gálvez, who began her artistic career as a professional flamenco dancer in Madrid, talked about how she learned English after arriving in the U.S. and what she misses most about living in Spain.
“RPM Miami” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on mun2.
EXTRA: What attracted you to “RPM Miami” and your character?
Paulina Gálvez: It’s the first TV series set in Miami that is really bilingual. I love that the show is trying to reflect the population that lives here in Miami and isn’t relying on stereotypes. My character is really strong. She is a huntress. I loved that about her.
What research did you do to play Ana Karina?
I watched as many police shows on TV as I could and took what I liked from them and made my own character. I also have a couple of good friends who helped me. One is a special agent and the other is an ex-detective. I asked them everything. I wanted to be as real of a detective as I could be. I wanted to know everything about the profession.
it mean to the show to actually be shooting on location in Miami?
It makes it real and fun. Shooting on location is a lot different than shooting in a studio. The show needs that landscape. I don’t think you could reproduce that in a studio. Well, maybe, but it would be very expensive.
You moved to the U.S. six years ago. Do you watch English-language TV?
Yes, I watch it. I think it’s actually better than Latin TV here in the U.S. Young Latin people love American shows. The show “RPM Miami” has a very American style. Every show wants to be at that level. It’s a different bilingual show than has ever been seen on the American market.
Has it been a challenge for you to learn English and incorporate that into your character?
it has. When you come to the U.S. you have to deal with the real language on the streets. It was a big step for me to come here and study every day and be confident with the English language. It was like I was being reborn as an actor.
How did you learn English?
I watched American TV. I listened to the radio while I was driving. When I got to Miami I wanted to understand the culture. I didn’t want to be a stranger to this country. I also took a lot of classes and lessons.
Do you think learning English should be something every immigrant does when they come to the U.S.?
I don’t see why they wouldn’t take the opportunity to learn another language. You have to meld with the people and the culture. That doesn’t mean you have to forget your own culture and language. You have to adapt. You ...can’t be part of a culture if you’re not able to communicate. I am really surprised when people come here and don’t want to learn English. I don’t understand why.
What do you miss most about Spain?
I miss the street. You could have fun by just leaving your apartment and going down the street. I love the energy of the people and the freedom of not needing a car. I love that way of life. People are really open, so you can make friends very easily. Oh, and the ham. Spanish ham is so good!
While you’re playing a detective on TV, do you feel more powerful or sexy while holding a gun?
(Laughs) Men have a weird reaction when they see me holding a gun and wearing a badge. They get really excited. So, that makes me feel sexy.
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