Gabriel Porras seeks a better life for his on-screen family in the telenovela Bajo el Mismo Cielo as well as in real life.
If you tune into Bajo el Mismo Cielo, the latest telenovela from Telemundo, you’ll get an idea of what 11 million undocumented immigrants may be going through. “This telenovela is more than the typical story about betrayal, intrigue and vengeance… it’s about what immigrants go through in the United States. Its message is very positive because it deals with hard work, solidarity, family, love and the values that Latin Americans have,” explains Gabriel Porras.
Porras plays Carlos Martínez, a widowed Mexican immigrant who comes to the United States to give his two kids a better life. “Carlos works as a gardener and he is honest and very consistent with his principles,” says the 47-year-old actor.
In his pursuit of the American Dream, Martinez focuses on working hard, which gives his eldest son, played by Luis Ernesto Franco, an opportunity to join a gang. “There are many families who have lost their children due to a lack of stability at home, which happens when you have to go and find work to buy food or pay the rent. Unfortunately, parents can’t be supervising their children all day and sometimes there are bad influences out there, especially in low-income neighborhoods,” adds Porras. “This is not a prejudice, it is a reality.”
Like all telenovelas, this one includes a love story. In this case it’s between Carlos and gang member Adela Morales, played by María Elisa Camargo. “She is an extraordinary actress, a great person and very beautiful. She is dedicated to what she does.”
On a more personal note, Porras says that his character’s experiences are very familiar to him. “I am also an immigrant and I had to live far away from my family. That’s why I relate to Carlos Martínez because I had to work hard so that my family could be with me and I could feel complete.”
Bajo el Mismo Cielo
Monday – Friday • 9pm/8c
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