You probably recognize that face. It’s a bit aristocratic, kinda intense, but always weirdly relatable. Diego Martín is one of those actors who just fits everywhere, whether he’s playing a ruthless businessman in a high-fashion period drama or a stressed-out principal in a prestige teen thriller. He’s been a staple of Spanish screens for over two decades, but honestly, his recent jump into global streaming has turned him into a household name far beyond Madrid.
He wasn’t always destined for the stage. Growing up with roots in Valladolid—a place he still calls home in his heart—he actually started out studying law. Can you imagine? Luckily for us, he bailed on the legal world to chase acting. Since his first big break in the late '90s series Periodistas, he’s built a filmography that’s frankly exhausting to look at. If you’re trying to navigate the wide world of Diego Martín movies and TV shows, you’ve got to know that he doesn’t stick to one lane. He’s a shapeshifter.
The Global Breakout: From Elite to The Alienist
If you’re a Netflix binger, you likely know him as Benjamín Blanco from Elite. He joined the cast in Season 4, and man, he brought a completely different energy to Las Encinas. Playing a powerful CEO and the new school director, he was the ultimate "stern father" figure, but with layers of complexity that made you both hate and pity him. His character arc, involving his three kids and that messy relationship with Samuel, basically anchored the show's second major era.
But here’s the thing: Elite wasn't his only international play. He popped up in The Alienist: Angel of Darkness as Narciso Linares. It was a subtle, sharp performance that proved he could hang in high-budget, English-language period pieces without breaking a sweat. It’s this ability to pivot between a trashy (in a good way!) teen drama and a gritty psychological thriller that sets him apart.
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Essential Television Roles You Can't Miss
You can't talk about his TV career without mentioning Velvet. For years, he played Enrique Otegui, the calculating, somewhat sleazy "business shark" who was always plotting something. He was the guy you loved to despise. If you want to see him at his most charmingly villainous, Velvet and its spin-off Velvet Colección are mandatory viewing.
- Aquí no hay quien viva: This is legendary in Spain. He played Carlos, and if you want to understand Spanish pop culture, you start here.
- Hermanos y detectives: A bit more niche, but it showed off his comedic timing, which is often underrated.
- Supernormal: More recently, he’s been leaning back into comedy, playing the husband to Miren Ibarguren’s chaotic character. It’s domestic, it’s funny, and it’s very human.
The Big Screen: Horror, Romance, and Gritty Action
While he’s a king of the "small screen," his movie career is just as wild. Have you seen [REC] 3: Genesis? It’s a total departure from the found-footage claustrophobia of the first two films. Diego Martín plays the groom, Koldo, whose wedding day turns into a literal bloodbath. He spends half the movie in a suit of armor wielding a mace. It’s campy, it’s gory, and he sells every second of it.
On the flip side, he’s been in some of the most iconic Spanish romantic dramas of the last twenty years. Tres metros sobre el cielo (Three Steps Above Heaven) and its sequel Tengo ganas de ti saw him playing more grounded, supporting roles that helped ground the high-octane teen romance.
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Then there’s his recent work in French cinema. He’s been working with director Guillaume Pierret on the Lost Bullet (Balle perdue) franchise. In Lost Bullet 2, and the upcoming Last Bullet (2025), he plays Alvaro. These are gritty, "fast and furious" style action movies that show a much tougher side of him than the polished Enrique Otegui ever did.
Why His Style Works So Well
Diego Martín has this "everyman" quality that he can dial up or down. In Mataharis (2007), directed by Icíar Bollaín, he showed a vulnerability that won over critics. He doesn't rely on being the loudest person in the room. Instead, he uses his eyes—those transparent glasses he wore in Elite weren't just a fashion choice; they framed a character who was always watching, always calculating.
What’s Next for Diego Martín?
As we move through 2026, he isn't slowing down. He’s recently been spotted at major festivals like the FesTVal in Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Atlántida Mallorca Film Festival. There's a lot of buzz around his role in Rotten Legacy and the final chapters of the Lost Bullet saga. He’s also part of the cast for the upcoming series Muertos, S.L., which looks to be a darkly comedic take on the funeral home business.
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If you’re just starting to explore his work, don't just stick to the Netflix hits. Go back and find the weird stuff. Look for Sin rodeos or the psychological tension of The Deep Dark.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- For the Thrill Seeker: Watch [REC] 3: Genesis and Lost Bullet 2. It’s Diego at his most physical.
- For the Binge-Watcher: Start Velvet if you want 1950s fashion and drama, or Elite Season 4 for modern chaos.
- For the Completionist: Track down Aquí no hay quien viva. It’s the backbone of his Spanish fame and explains why he's so beloved.
You've got a lot of ground to cover with his filmography, but honestly, it’s worth the ride. He’s one of the few actors who can make a corporate board meeting feel as dangerous as a zombie outbreak.