Génesis Rodríguez on The Night Agent, Family, and Her Hollywood Journey

It’s been nonstop lately. I’m about to start filming the third season of Lioness, and here I am promoting The Night Agent. I’m happily busy.

I try to take it calmly, because if you let stress take over, you can’t do this job. It’s a profession where you deal with a lot of emotions, constant changes, travel, and so many people depending on you. 

So the most important thing, I would say, is taking care of yourself. I try not to waste my energy on things that aren’t necessary, usually on silly things that don’t matter. I do everything I can to take care of myself. I drink my tea, use my essential oils, meditate, write a lot, read, and try to relax as much as possible. Otherwise, you’ll go crazy.

The best thing for an actor is to stay present. I don’t judge myself. You can prepare however you want to achieve a certain result, but sometimes that result doesn’t bring the magic. The magic is being present in the scene and feeling free. 

I let myself be guided by what the other actor brings to see how I’ll react, because that is where the collaboration happens. That is where scenes are created. I might think it’s going to turn out one way, but sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s even better than I expected. Honestly, in my work, I’m not afraid to fail.

I’m extremely disciplined with myself. When I’m working, I usually don’t drink alcohol. I exercise a lot, I go to bed at the same time, try to wake up at the same time, and take my supplements. I focus a lot on self-care. Taking care of yourself, physically and mentally, has to be the priority. Because if I fall apart, then I can’t do anything.

My answer might surprise you. Marisela Barquero in Doña Bárbara. That character taught me to be completely free as an actress. I discovered the kind of actress I was through that role.

It was so spontaneous and beautiful that it marked my career. I carry it with me, always. In fact, my followers on Instagram still comment on it every time I post something. “Oh! Marisela is back!” That character is a before-and-after moment in my career, and honestly, I don’t think I would have achieved everything I have without it.

When Latinos see me or hear me speaking Spanish, they always say, “There’s Marisela, the wild one.” I love it. I’m happy about it.

First of all, journalists are incredibly important right now. At this moment in our country, we need to protect journalists and the work they’re doing. The risks they take and the truth they seek are very important. It’s an honor to play this role. She’s a very intelligent young woman searching for the truth. 

What it does to her personal life doesn’t matter to her. She wants the truth and believes it’s her responsibility to inform the world. She’s someone with strong integrity and high moral values. I loved playing her because sometimes female characters are not as developed as this one. In both of these recent roles, I have had the chance to play strong, intelligent women, and that is such an honor.

Both characters have a sense of purpose. I try to live my life with intention as well. I want to elevate the Latino community and push against stereotypes. That’s something I fight against in my own way. 

Also, both characters also deal with family trauma, particularly involving their fathers. That is an interesting connection between them. But I would say I’m a fighter. I don’t like giving up. Failure or resignation does not exist for me. I keep pushing forward. I want to live life to the fullest.

Yes. Both characters have emotional issues related to their fathers. I can draw from details of my own relationship with my dad and bring them into my characters. That helps me a lot. 

The difference is that those characters have difficult relationships with their fathers. Thankfully I don’t. So I can bring that love I have for him into my work. Even when people have problems with their families, there is always love there.

I was moved too, sorry (she lightly tears up). It’s funny because my dad is a man of few words. So when I see him publicly speaking about me like that, it really touches me. It is such a big declaration of love, and I never expected it when it happened. My dad has gone through a lot. People see El Puma as this indestructible figure. 

But in the end, he is a man of flesh and blood with deep feelings that he tends to hide. It is beautiful to see him at this stage of his life being so vulnerable and emotional. It truly moves me.

I visit him all the time. When I have a free weekend, I fly to Miami, and we spend a lot of time in the kitchen because my dad thinks he is Top Chef and wants to give his opinion on everything. I tell him, “Dad, you are not the boss here. When I’m cooking, I’m cooking. When you are cooking, you are cooking. I don’t tell you what to do in the kitchen, and you don’t tell me.”

I love seeing him in the kitchen. It makes me so happy to see him enjoying something new at this stage of his life and discovering another hobby. It is also a way for him to express himself and create. It is beautiful to watch. And let me tell you, he makes amazing desserts.

I do. And I would say I cook better than my dad. For all the important dinners like Christmas or Thanksgiving, I’m the one who cooks.

Yes. Genny. But for my dad, I’m “la niña.” It’s always, “the girl wants this,” or “the girl wants that.” I’m a grown woman, but I will always be the little girl of the house. (Laughs)

Sometimes it works in my favor. I’m an adult now. I don’t really need his advice anymore because I know what I want to do. But my father still sees me as a little girl, and I guess I will have to accept that.

At the moment, I’m married to my dream. I’m pursuing my dream, and I feel so fulfilled as a person and finally as a woman. It would take a very special person to come into my life right now. Someone who adds to it, not someone who takes away from everything I have built and dreamed of. I believe it is important to tell women not to set limits or expiration dates for themselves. 

Love will come when the right person arrives. Someone who supports your dreams and does not try to change who you are. So I remain hopeful. My door is open to that love story, but I also love pursuing my dream and passions.

The Night Agent comes out this month and I’m incredibly proud of my character and the project. Hopefully they bring me back for another season.

I also have another season of Lioness. Josie has been an amazing role and experience, and I thank God the show continues. I also filmed a hilarious comedy called El Tigre, something I haven’t done in a long time. It is a cartel comedy but with a lot of heart, and we have an amazing cast. 

After Lioness, I will be filming another movie based on real stories from 1970s New York. Then, maybe a little vacation on a small island before getting back to work.

Wow. I love Ricardo Darín and Guillermo Francella. They are incredible actors to me. I’m obsessed with their work. I would love to work with one of them someday. I’m such a fan. It would be a dream to collaborate with them and work in Argentina. Let ‘s manifest it.