You’ve probably seen his face. If you watched Michael Mann’s Ferrari or binged that gritty crime drama Dom on Prime Video, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Gabriel Leone is basically the Brazilian actor everyone in Hollywood is suddenly calling. It’s funny because, in Brazil, he’s been a household name for a decade, but for the rest of the world, he just kind of "appeared."
Honestly, it’s about time.
Leone has this weird, magnetic energy where he can go from playing a drug-addicted middle-class kid in the favelas to a high-society European racer without blinking. Most people think he’s just another "pretty face" export, but if you actually dig into Gabriel Leone movies and TV shows, you’ll see he’s doing the heavy lifting to bridge the gap between Latin American soap stars and prestige cinema.
The Ferrari Breakout: Alfonso de Portago
Before we get into the heavy stuff, we have to talk about 2023. That was the year Leone officially "arrived." In Ferrari, he played Alfonso de Portago, the Spanish aristocrat/racer who... well, let’s just say his story doesn't have a happy ending.
Working with Michael Mann is a nightmare for some actors because he’s a perfectionist, but Leone leaned into it. He reportedly studied Marlon Brando’s early work to get that specific "cool but dangerous" vibe for Portago. While Adam Driver was the big name on the poster, Leone provided the film's emotional (and tragic) pivot. It was the first time global audiences saw him acting in English, and he didn't stumble once.
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Why Everyone Is Talking About Senna
If Ferrari was the introduction, the Netflix limited series Senna is the coronation. Look, if you’re Brazilian, playing Ayrton Senna is like playing King Arthur, George Washington, and Pelé all at once. It’s a massive risk. If you mess it up, an entire nation will never forgive you.
Leone took on the mantle for the 2024 series, and the buzz has been insane. The show covers everything from Senna’s early karting days in England to that horrific weekend at Imola in 1994.
What's interesting is how Leone handles the "Icon" vs "Human" balance. Senna wasn't just a fast driver; he was a complex, often difficult person with deep spiritual convictions. Leone doesn't just do an impression. He captures that specific, intense stare Senna had. You know the one. That "I'm going to win or die trying" look.
The "Must-Watch" TV Shows
If you want to see why he actually got these big roles, you have to go back to his Brazilian work. Forget the soap operas for a second (though he was great in Verdades Secretas).
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- Dom (Amazon Prime Video): This is the one. He plays Pedro Dom, a real-life figure who was a "blonde boy from the middle class" turned leader of a ruthless home-invasion gang in Rio. It’s a father-son story disguised as a drug thriller. Leone’s performance here is raw. He looks exhausted, strung out, and genuinely terrifying.
- Onde Nascem os Fortes (Where Strong Men Are Born): This is a "superseries" (basically a high-budget miniseries) set in the Brazilian hinterlands. It’s neo-western vibes.
- Velho Chico: A massive, Shakespearean-style family saga. This is where he really proved he could carry a lead role on his back.
Recent Hits and The Secret Agent (2025)
As we move through 2026, the project everyone is looking back at is The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto), directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. If you haven't seen Mendonça Filho's other movies like Bacurau, you're missing out.
In this 2025 neo-noir, Leone plays Bobbi. The movie premiered at Cannes and basically won everything. It’s set in the 1970s during the Brazilian dictatorship. Leone is part of an ensemble that includes Wagner Moura (of Narcos fame). Seeing these two together is like a "passing of the torch" moment for Brazilian cinema. While Moura is the established vet, Leone is the one pushing into new, weirder territory.
A Quick Cheat Sheet: Essential Gabriel Leone
If you're just starting out, here is the order I'd recommend watching his stuff to see the range:
- Dom (Series) – For the grit and the "how did he do that?" physical transformation.
- Ferrari (Movie) – To see him hold his own against Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz.
- Senna (Series) – The definitive performance.
- Eduardo and Monica (Movie) – A lighter, romantic movie based on a famous Brazilian song. It shows he’s not always brooding and miserable!
- The Secret Agent (Movie) – For the high-brow, artistic "Cannes" vibes.
What's Next?
Leone isn't slowing down. There are rumors of him joining more English-language productions, specifically in the spy thriller genre. He’s already done Citadel, though his role there was relatively small compared to what he’s capable of.
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The thing about Leone is that he’s a musician too. He’s played Roberto Carlos (a legendary Brazilian singer) in a biopic called Minha Fama de Mau. He brings a rhythmic, almost musical timing to his acting. He doesn't rush his lines. He lets the silence do the work.
Honestly, the "Gabriel Leone movies and TV shows" search is only going to get more popular. We are watching a guy transition from a local heartthrob to a legitimate international heavyweight.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with his career, your best bet is following the festival circuits in Europe. Since his win with The Secret Agent, he’s becoming a regular at Cannes and Berlin. Also, keep an eye on Prime Video and Netflix—they seem to have a "first look" unofficial agreement with his best projects. Check out River of Desire (Rio do Desejo) if you want to see him in a steamy, atmospheric drama that feels very different from his Hollywood work.