Meet Fernando Cattori, the Mexican actor behind the role

Fernando Cattori is having a moment, and fans of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ are taking notice. Although his role in the third season of the Prime Video hit series is a brief one, it’s hard to ignore the charm and quiet impact he brings as Benito, a romantic surprise in Belly’s Paris chapter.

In episode 9, titled ‘Last Call,’ Belly travels to Paris following a painful breakup. There, she meets Benito, a Mexican photographer who helps her after she gets robbed. Their spontaneous connection and his gentle presence bring a new tone to the series, one that fans and critics have praised for its sincerity and freshness.

Behind the character:

While many of the characters in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ are based on Jenny Han’s original books, Benito is not one of them. His character was created for the show, and it’s a decision that paid off. His scenes bring not only diversity but also an unexpected romantic energy that feels authentic.

“The fact that there’s a Latino character who speaks Spanish, and that fans recognize that, is pretty cool,” Fernando shared to Quien.

© Fernando Cattori / IG

How he landed ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’:

Like the plot of the show itself, the casting process was filled with mystery. Fernando auditioned under a fake French title, with no clue it was for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty.’ 

He only knew it was an Amazon production with an existing fanbase and would shoot in Paris. The connection that helped seal the deal was Katina Medina Mora, one of the show’s directors, also Mexican, who passed his name along to Jenny Han and the producers.

© Amazon

In the middle of directing a Día de Muertos commercial in Oaxaca, Fernando got the callback. He logged into a Zoom call and was greeted by none other than Lola Tung. Just fifteen minutes of reading together, and something clicked. “I didn’t expect anything, but I could feel something was there,” he recalled. 

When asked if he knows how the series ends, he said, “Honestly, I have no idea how it ends,” he told Quien. Like most cast members, he only received the scenes he was in. “If I did know, Amazon would probably have everyone mic’d up to prevent spoilers.”

© Amazon

Who is Fernando Cattori?

Born in Mexico City in 1999, Fernando studied Communications at Universidad Iberoamericana before shifting his focus fully to the arts. He trained at institutions like Casa Azul and CADAC in Mexico, later continuing at the New York Film Academy and Yale’s prestigious David Geffen School of Drama.

In recent years, he’s juggled multiple roles, acting in films like ‘Príncipes Salvajes,’ ‘Contigo en el Futuro,’ and ‘Ceremonia,’ while directing notable projects including the music video for ‘Rubio’s Nacimos Llorando.’ That video earned him a 2024 Latin Grammy nomination for Best Long-Form Music Video.

© Fernando Cattori / IG

He also directed ‘Recuérdame Viviendo,’ a Día de Muertos campaign for Cerveza Victoria that became one of Mexico’s most-watched advertisements of the year.

Stealing the spotlight:

Despite the buzz, Fernando is staying grounded. “It hasn’t really hit me yet, and I hope it stays that way. I think it’s important to keep a healthy distance. But of course, I’m thrilled… because I’m human. Obviously, it’s amazing.”

Being part of a global hit also means facing the intensity of a very vocal fandom. “I have fun reading what fans post. Sometimes I reply or repost, it’s all part of the dynamic.

What really stands out for him, though, is that Benito sparked a conversation about representation. “It’s exciting that there’s space for a Spanish-speaking character in such a mainstream show.”