Ana de la Reguera, a Mexican actress, began her career in telenovelas before going on to collaborate with some of the most prominent names in television and cinema. De la Reguera made her acting debut in a tiny part as Cecilia on the 1996 serial La Azul. She then went on to play little parts in many other Mexican soap operas until landing her first major role as Maria in the film Por la Libre (also known worldwide under the title Dust to Dust). But it wasn’t until de la Reguera starred in 2006’s Nacho Libre that she became well-known in the United States.
Since then, Ana de la Reguera has quickly progressed into more significant roles, with rarely a year going by when she is not starring in two separate productions. She has proven herself as an action star opposite the likes of Pedro Pascal and Dave Bautista, and she has also acted alongside some of the greatest names in comedy. De la Reguera is as at home playing softly and introspectively as he is playing loudly and bombastically. De la Reguera’s filmography includes a wide variety of works, but there are a few that have particularly good omens for her future.
Ana (2020-2023)
The comedy-drama series Ana was created by Ana de la Reguera and has a strong resemblance to the author’s own life. She plays the part of Ana, an aspiring actress who grew up with the dream of being a renowned and wealthy star, only to find that her whole career has been manipulated by those who want to cash in on her looks and ability. She embarks on a quest for self-awareness that is inspired by de la Reguera’s personal experiences. In 2020, Amazon Prime Video made the Spanish-language series accessible across Latin America, and two further seasons followed shortly thereafter. Although de la Reguera’s acting, self-awareness, and show-running skills are not well recognized in the United States, they are all on display in Ana.
Army Of The Dead (2021)
After his 2004 first picture, Dawn of the Dead, filmmaker Zack Snyder returns to the zombie genre with Army of the Dead. To recover $200 million from a zombie-infested Las Vegas, Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) hires a team of mercenaries. Maria Cruz, played by Ana de la Reguera, is a jaded survivor of the first zombie outbreak who has a history with Scott. The complex plot of Army of the Dead, which spawned many sequels and prequels starring de la Reguera, has sparked several fan theories. Maria is one of the film’s more consistent characters, and de la Reguera portrays her with charisma, humor, and aggression.
Capadocia (2008–2012)
Capadocia portrays Ana de la Reguera as Lorena Guerra, a prisoner in a simulated Mexican jail. Several well-known Mexican telenovela performers, such as Alejandro Camacho, Juan Manuel Bernal, and Cristina Umaa, feature in this HBO Latin American production. Capdocia’s superb ensemble cast dispels the stereotype that these kinds of parts don’t need much expertise, making for a riveting and interesting political drama. The series, which is aggressive and adult like other HBO staples like Oz and The Wire, is led by de la Reguera with confidence and honesty.
The Forever Purge (2021)
There’s a wide disparity between the series’ finest and worst entries, yet even the worst ones manage to provide fresh perspectives on the series’ signature originality. The Forever Purge has an average of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t nearly high enough to reflect the film’s exciting action sequences and Ana de la Reguera’s excellent performance as the film’s protagonist. When the clock strikes midnight, the Purgers don’t stop murdering. Without the central idea, this movie is just another mindless action flick. But the tale is solid, and de la Reguera gives Adela the kind of humanity that’s usually lacking in the series.
Power (2017–2019)
James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a smart but brutal heroin dealer who wants to go legal and operate a nightclub, is at the center of Power, a crime thriller for Starz that was produced by 50 Cent. Alicia Jiménez, portrayed by Ana de la Reguera, is introduced in season 4 and develops into a key enemy in season 5. Ghost’s enemy and a very deadly and cunning adversary is Alicia, head of the Jiménez Cartel. Alicia is the first female villain in the series, and she injects a much-needed shock into the tale by bringing a captivating villainy to the character.
Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
Twin Peaks: The Return is the long-awaited conclusion to David Lynch’s psychologically complex Twin Peaks series. Twin Peaks: The Return, which premiered in 2017, is set 25 years after the events of Twin Peaks Season 2. Episode 12 features Ana de la Reguera’s guest appearance as Natalie. Natalie had a remarkable interaction with Abbie (Elizabeth Anweis) at the close of the episode, despite having very limited screen time overall. They nearly look like crowd avatars, as no one from the scene ever appears again in the program. The strangeness of the film is matched by de la Reguera’s seamless integration into Lynch’s unique universe.
Narcos (2015)
The criminal thriller Narcos, available on Netflix, is only partly factually true in its depiction of the emergence of drug gangs in South and Central America, spearheaded by Pablo Escobar. Elisa Alvarez, head of the M-19 guerilla group, is played by Ana de la Reguera in the first season. Until she learns that the revolution’s leaders are colluding with Escobar, Alvarez considers herself a member of the revolutionary group. The superb performers at the show’s core make it a compelling and interesting mix of real-life events and drama. De laReguera portrays the hardened Lvarez as a tormented person, so it isn’t surprising that her morality triumphs over her politics and she aids the DEA.
Eastbound & Down (2010)
Season 2 of Eastbound & Down features Ana de la Reguera as Vida, Kenny Powers’ (McBride) love interest. The program is widely regarded as McBride’s finest comedy to date. The story follows Kenny, a former MLB star who returns to his small town in an effort to restart his life. Kenny finds himself in a variety of sticky situations, including being stranded in Mexico, where he eventually meets the lovely Vida. It’s not easy to live up to McBride’s high-energy comedic approach, but de la Reguera does it well. She is every bit as amusing as McBride, and they perform, quarrel, and ride roller coasters together.
Nacho Libre (2006)
Although Nacho Libre hasn’t received stellar reviews, its enduring popularity and cult following are impossible to ignore. Nacho Libre, in which Jack Black stars as a monk turned luchador, is a quirky, funny, and touching sports picture that has some very thrilling bouts. De la Reguera portrays Sister Encarnación, Nacho’s forbidden love interest. To make the uncomfortable humor work, de la Reguera, who is well-placed as the feisty nun, has some unexpectedly emotional sequences with Black. Ana de la Reguera elevates Sister Encarnación beyond a supporting role, where she risks being overlooked in favor of Black.
Goliath (2018-2021)
In Amazon’s Goliath, a courtroom thriller about a down-and-out lawyer named Billy McBride (Billy Bob Thornton), Ana de la Reguera portrays Marisol Silva. Marisol is a city councilwoman who wants to be the first Latina mayor of Los Angeles, and she is a key cast member in seasons 2 and 3. Rotten Tomatoes gives the series an 86% approval rating and rave reviews for its engaging performances. Marisol is one of the better characters in Goliath, despite the fact that it is a little annoying to see de la Reguera again portrayed as someone with links to drug gangs. She’s lovely and witty, but she also has a sneaky intelligence that can trick even Billy.
