Spanish actor Miguel Bernardeau has credited his mother, actress Ana Duato, for teaching him how to navigate fame and ground his acting career.
Speaking in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, the actor discussed his family background, his journey since breaking out on Netflix, and his upcoming film project directed by Los Javis.
Bernardeau is currently promoting his role in La bola negra, a feature film directed by the filmmaking duo known as Los Javis. The movie is based on an unfinished manuscript by the celebrated Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca.
Los Javis, the creative pair composed of directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, have become major figures in Spanish cinema and television. During his interview, Bernardeau highlighted his favourite scene in the film, which features his character Sebastián dictating his last wishes from a truck during a farewell sequence. He added that he was particularly eager for his mother to watch that scene.
Breakout Role and Moving Beyond Family Shadow
Bernardeau gained widespread international recognition after starring in the hit Netflix teen drama series Élite. At the time of his breakout, media coverage frequently highlighted his parentage as the son of Duato and prominent Spanish television producer Miguel Ángel Bernardeau.
Over time, Bernardeau established his own standing in the entertainment industry. He gradually stepped out of the shadow cast by his parents and his high profile relationship with Spanish singer Aitana Ocaña, who is now in a relationship with YouTuber Plex.
Parental Advice and Crafting an Acting Identity
The actor explained that he frequently turns to both of his parents for advice and professional guidance because of their extensive experience in the business. He noted that while his father and mother were initially very afraid when he decided to become an actor, those early fears have since disappeared.
Bernardeau expressed high praise for his mother, describing her as a beautiful example and an absolute inspiration. He stated that he considers her the finest actress in Spain, even though they occasionally hold differing views on the entertainment industry and personal preferences.
He attributed his understanding of the acting profession to his mother's healthy, humble, and honest approach off camera. He explained that her example taught him to view acting as a personal craft driven by passion rather than a vehicle for seeking fame or building fortune. He also credited her with teaching him the value of treating fans with respect when they request photographs or approach him to talk.
Acknowledging Privilege and Professional Independence
Reflecting on his experiences years after Élite, Bernardeau shared that he has learned to relax and take things in stride, avoiding the assumption that people approaching him always want something from him.
Addressing his family background, Bernardeau acknowledged that starting from a position of privilege is an undeniable reality. However, he emphasized that privilege carries the responsibility of knowing how to use it constructively. He defended his achievements by stating that he has worked extremely hard, asserting that casting directors in international productions do not hire actors because of famous parents, who are often unknown outside Spain.
Legal Pressure Surrounding the Family
The actor's comments come as his family faces ongoing legal developments. Spain's National Court, the Audiencia Nacional, recently annulled the acquittal of Ana Duato and her husband Miguel Ángel Bernardeau in connection with the high profile Nummaria tax fraud case.
Actor Imanol Arias, who co-starred alongside Duato for over two decades as husband and wife on the long running television drama Cuéntame cómo pasó, has stated that he wants nothing to do with the judicial setback facing Duato and her husband.
