If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen her. Maybe it was the silver-skinned, cold-eyed stare from the Superman trailers, or perhaps you remember her as the girl with the neon-pink highlights from the Nickelodeon era. María Gabriela de Faría isn't just another actress hitting the Hollywood "it-girl" cycle. Honestly, she’s a bit of an anomaly.
She’s a Venezuelan powerhouse who spent her childhood filming 40 scenes a day in Caracas before most of us learned how to drive. Now, she’s trading telenovela drama for high-stakes combat in the DC Universe. But there’s a lot more to the woman behind The Engineer than just a shiny suit and some CGI nanotechnology.
Why María Gabriela de Faría is the Name You Need to Know
Most people think of "overnight success" when a Latin star suddenly appears in a James Gunn blockbuster. That couldn't be further from the truth here. María Gabriela has been working since she was five. Basically, she’s a veteran who just happened to move to a bigger pond.
When Gunn cast her as Angela Spica (a.k.a. The Engineer) for the 2025 Superman film, it wasn't just a win for her—it was a massive moment for Latina representation in the superhero genre. She’s admitted in recent interviews that she almost didn't even audition. Why? Because she’d never seen a Latina play a character like this. She thought the industry would just look past her.
Luckily, she was wrong.
✨ Don't miss: Mia Khalifa New Sex Research: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With Her 2014 Career
From Telenovela Queen to Global Anti-Hero
You can’t talk about María Gabriela de Faría without mentioning the Nickelodeon Latin America phenomenon Isa TKM. If you didn't grow up in that world, it’s hard to explain the level of "Beatlemania" she experienced as Isabella Pasquali. We're talking sold-out stadium tours and literal teen idol status across an entire continent.
Transitioning from that to gritty American shows like Deadly Class was a huge swing. In Deadly Class, she played Maria Salazar—a character dealing with intense bipolar disorder and cartel violence. It was a complete 180 from her "Franky Andrade" days in Yo soy Franky.
- The Nickeloden Days: High energy, musical numbers, and massive popularity.
- The Hollywood Shift: Grittier, more physical, and emotionally taxing roles.
- The DC Era: Pure transformation.
The Physicality of The Engineer
Playing a member of The Authority wasn't just about showing up and looking cool. María Gabriela went through a grueling eight-month training camp with Paolo Mascitti. She’s been very vocal about the "physical pain" of the process.
Imagine trying to fight David Corenswet (the new Man of Steel) while wearing a 3D-printed leather suit that’s designed to be stiff and restrictive. She told The Credits that the suit was so tight she had to fight the garment just to move her arms. It gave her character this internal frustration that actually translates perfectly on screen. She basically used her real-life discomfort to fuel The Engineer’s cold, mechanical rage.
🔗 Read more: Is Randy Parton Still Alive? What Really Happened to Dolly’s Brother
A Quick Reality Check on The Engineer's Powers:
In the comics, Angela Spica replaces her blood with liquid machinery. In the movie, we see that nanotechnology manifest as spinning blades and various weapons. It's a "body horror" element that María Gabriela leaned into. She didn't want the character to be a standard "bad guy." She views Angela as a hero who just happens to be on the wrong side of the Lex Luthor alliance—at least for now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her
There’s this misconception that she’s just another "villain of the week." But if you listen to her talk about the role on podcasts like Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, she’s deeply protective of Angela Spica. She sees the character as someone who has suffered immense loss—her parents died in a violent accident—and she’s using Lex Luthor's resources to "fix" a broken world.
She’s also a big advocate for mental health. Having dealt with anxiety and panic attacks for years, she uses her platform to talk about things that most celebrities polish over. She’s real. She’s messy. She’s honest.
Beyond the Screen: The Faria Online
When she isn't busy being a cyborg, she’s a devoted vegan and environmentalist. She actually started a blog called The Faria Online to share her journey into sustainable living.
💡 You might also like: Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper: The Affair That Nearly Broke Hollywood
- Animal Rights: She’s worked with groups like the World Wildlife Fund.
- Sustainable Fashion: She’s been very open about her "shame" over not knowing the impact of fast fashion and now shops almost exclusively secondhand.
- Spirituality: She’s deep into Kundalini yoga and meditation.
It’s rare to find an actor who can jump from a $200 million movie set to a blog post about how to survive in a studio apartment with "two fat cats." That groundedness is probably why James Gunn likes her so much.
What's Next for the DC Star?
If you loved her in Superman, you’re in luck. Reports are already circulating that she’s set to return for the sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, and there are constant whispers about a standalone The Authority project.
She’s clearly part of the long-term plan for the DCU. And honestly? It’s about time.
How to Follow the Journey
If you want to keep up with what she’s doing next, check out her personal blog or her Instagram, where she’s surprisingly active. She isn't just a face on a poster; she’s an artist who’s actively trying to change how Latinas are viewed in the industry.
Next Steps for You:
- Watch her previous work: If you haven't seen Deadly Class, start there. It’s the perfect bridge between her teen roles and her current blockbuster status.
- Check out her blog: If you’re interested in sustainability without the corporate fluff, The Faria Online is a great resource.
- Follow the DCU updates: Keep an eye on James Gunn’s social media for the first looks at her return in the next Superman installment.