Get ready for the thrilling adaptation of the popular Spotify podcast, The Horror of Dolores Roach, coming to Prime Video on Friday, July 7th. Dolores, after spending sixteen years in prison, returns to Washington Heights and seeks help from an old friend to rebuild her life. Together, Dolores and Luis will navigate the challenges of an unjust world, leading them down a path darker than anything Dolores could have imagined.
Justina Machado takes on the role of Dolores Roach, while Alejandro Hernandez stars as Luis Batista, the owner of an empanada shop. Machado is best known for her work in the sitcom One Day at a Time, as well as projects like Six Feet Under and The Purge: Anarchy. Hernandez recently wrapped up filming for New Amsterdam, which aired from 2018 to 2023. The talented cast also includes Kita Updike, K. Todd Freeman, Ilan Eskenazi, Jeffery Self, and Jean Yoon.
Justina Machado and Alejandro Hernandez sit down for an exclusive interview with FilmmakerFocus to discuss their onscreen chemistry and how their previous work compares to their roles in The Horror of Dolores Roach.
Justina Machado & Alejandro Hernandez Talk The Horror of Dolores Roach
FilmmakerFocus: I love the dynamic between Dolores and Luis. How was working together?
Justina Machado: It was amazing. There was an instant connection between us. The characters just clicked, and our working styles were in sync. To be honest, we didn’t really know each other at first. We started getting to know each other as we worked together. A lot of people assume that we hung out a lot because our chemistry was so great. But the truth is, sometimes two people just have that natural chemistry. It was so much fun to play off each other as Dolores and Luis.
Alejandro Hernandez: I came prepared with all my work done beforehand, ready to give it my all. With Justina, I knew I had to match her level. It was an incredible experience because, like she said, we didn’t spend a lot of time together. Yet, we understood each other on so many levels. She reminded me of people in my own family, so it felt like I had known her for years. Once we stepped onto the set, everything just clicked, man.
Justina, I always love seeing you in sitcoms. I was a big fan of One Day at a Time, and I was thrilled to see you in Superstore. But Dolores Roach has that horror-comedy element. Do you have a preference between laugh-out-loud shows and a project like Dolores Roach?
Justina Machado: No, not at all. I don’t have a preference. And that’s what makes it fun to do both. I’ve been a part of Six Feet Under, where death was a recurring theme in every episode. So this genre is not new to me. What’s new and exciting about Dolores Roach is that it’s a story we don’t usually see, unexpected, wild, fun, and yet grounded. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions – you’ll cry, laugh, and be shocked. It’s a joy to be able to play both sides and bring them together.
Alejandro, you just finished 64 episodes of New Amsterdam, and Luis is such a different character from Casey. Did you enjoy branching out and trying something new with Dolores Roach?
Alejandro Hernandez: I was thrilled to have a role where I could really dive deep. New Amsterdam was an incredible experience, and I was able to bring a part of myself to that character. But with Dolores Roach, I had the opportunity to explore a completely different side. It was a chance to challenge myself and showcase my versatility as an actor. I’m grateful for the opportunity to try something new and push my boundaries.
With Dolores Roach, I embarked on a thrilling journey into the depths of my own psyche. It was a chance to explore parts of myself that I had never dared to venture into before. The experience was exhilarating and eye-opening, pushing me to new limits. Working on a character that was so unconventional and out of the box was truly amazing. It allowed me to tap into my creativity and embrace the wild side of my craft.
About The Horror of Dolores Roach:
The Horror of Dolores Roach, based on the hit Spotify podcast series of the same name, is a contemporary Sweeney Todd-inspired urban legend of love, betrayal, weed, cannibalism, and survival of the fittest. Dolores Roach (Justina Machado) is released after an unjust 16-year prison sentence, and she returns to a gentrified Washington Heights.
Dolores finds solace in the company of her old friend, Luis, who allows her to live and work as a masseuse in the basement of his empanada shop. But when her newfound stability is threatened, Dolores, known as “Magic Hands,” is driven to shocking extremes in order to survive.
Don’t miss our other interviews with the cast of The Horror of Dolores Roach:
– Creator Aaron Mark
– Kita Updike & K. Todd Freeman
Get ready for a thrilling ride with The Horror of Dolores Roach! All eight episodes will be available exclusively on Prime Video starting July 7.
Source: FilmmakerFocus Plus
