Twenty years. It has been over two decades since the Reyes brothers rode onto our screens on horseback, fueled by a thirst for revenge that—let’s be honest—quickly turned into a tangled mess of romance and family drama. If you grew up in a Spanish-speaking household or happened to catch the global wave of "Gavilanes" mania, you know these characters aren't just actors. They became icons. The protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes defined an era of television that felt larger than life, and surprisingly, they managed to do it all over again with a 2022 revival that proved nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
I remember watching the original run. The chemistry wasn't just "good for TV." It was explosive. Mario Cimarro, Danna García, Juan Alfonso Baptista, Paola Rey, Michel Brown, and Natasha Klauss didn't just play roles; they created a blueprint for the modern telenovela ensemble. But what’s actually happened to them since the dust settled on the Elizondo ranch? Some stayed in the spotlight, while others took long breaks that left fans wondering if they’d ever see the Reyes-Elizondo clan together again.
Honestly, the magic of this show wasn't just the plot. It was the casting. You had three brothers and three sisters—a symmetrical setup that should have been boring but worked because each pairing had a completely different vibe.
The Core Six: Breaking Down the Protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes
When we talk about the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes, we have to start with the "Alpha" couple: Juan Reyes and Norma Elizondo.
Mario Cimarro, who played Juan, is basically the face of the franchise. His rugged, stoic portrayal of the eldest Reyes brother was the anchor of the show. Cimarro is a fascinating figure in the industry. Known for being incredibly intense on set, he’s had his share of friction with networks like Telemundo in the past. Yet, there’s no denying his screen presence. Paired with Danna García’s Norma, they represented the "forbidden love" trope at its peak. Danna, a veteran of the genre since she was a kid, brought a softness to Norma that balanced Juan’s aggression. It’s funny because, in real life, Danna has mentioned in various interviews that she wasn't always as close to the rest of the cast during the original filming, partly due to the breakneck speed of production and her own introverted nature. It just goes to show how good the acting was—you’d never know.
Then you have Oscar and Jimena. Juan Alfonso "El Gato" Baptista and Paola Rey.
They were the fun ones. Their chemistry was so natural that people were convinced they were dating in real life. They weren't. But they did go on to star together in another hit, La Mujer en el Espejo, shortly after. "El Gato" brought this playful, slightly manipulative energy to Oscar that made him the perfect foil to Paola Rey’s impulsive and rebellious Jimena. Paola, by the way, is often cited by fans as the heart of the show. She has this effortless charm that makes her characters instantly likable.
👉 See also: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Finally, we have the "dark horse" couple: Franco and Sarita.
Michel Brown and Natasha Klauss. This is the pairing that actually stole the show for many viewers. Initially, Franco was supposed to be obsessed with the singer Rosario Montes (played by Zharick León), but the fans loved the "enemies-to-lovers" tension between the sensitive Franco and the rigid, boots-wearing Sarita so much that the writers leaned into it. Michel Brown, an Argentinian actor who started as a teen idol, initially didn't want to return for the second season. He had moved on to more "serious" roles in series like Falco and Pálpito. His eventual return was a massive relief for the fandom because, let’s face it, it wouldn't be a true reunion without Franco.
Why the 2022 Revival Changed the Narrative
For years, a sequel seemed impossible. The protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes had all moved on to different countries and different stages of their lives. But then, Netflix happened. The original series became a global juggernaut on streaming, introducing the show to a generation that wasn't even born in 2003.
When Telemundo finally announced the second season, the hype was massive, but the execution was... different.
The focus shifted. Instead of just the original six, we got the "next generation"—the children of Juan and Norma. This was a risky move. While actors like Bernardo Flores and Juan Manuel Restrepo are talented, the audience was really there to see the OGs. The revival tried to be a darker, more modern thriller rather than a classic romance. It tackled murder mysteries and complex family dynamics that felt a bit "Yellowstone" in a Colombian setting.
The dynamic of the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes in the second season reflected their real-life maturity. We saw Juan and Norma as struggling parents, not just starry-eyed lovers. We saw Sarita as a woman who had been abandoned by her husband (due to Franco’s mysterious disappearance in the plot). It was heavier. Some fans loved the depth; others missed the campy, romantic energy of the early 2000s.
✨ Don't miss: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The Challenges Behind the Scenes
It wasn't all horses and sunshine. Writing about the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes requires acknowledging that these actors have lived full lives outside the show.
Danna García had a very public and harrowing battle with COVID-19 early in the pandemic, which kept her isolated from her family for months. It changed her perspective on work and fame. Mario Cimarro became a father recently, which softened his public persona significantly. He seems more at peace with his legacy now than he did ten years ago.
There’s also the tragic loss of cast members like Sebastián Boscán, who played the iconic Leandro Santos. His death in 2021 was a huge blow to the "Gavilanes" family. Leandro was the comedic relief and the fashion-forward character that added a necessary lightness to the heavy-handed Reyes drama. His absence in the revival was felt by everyone.
The Cultural Impact of the "Gavilanes" Look
You can’t talk about these protagonists without talking about the aesthetic. The cowboy hats. The leather jackets. The boots.
The show did more for the "vaquero" look in Latin America than almost any other piece of media. It made the rural lifestyle look incredibly aspirational. Even today, if you go to a themed party in Bogota, Miami, or Madrid, people still dress up as the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes. It’s a visual shorthand for a specific kind of rugged masculinity and fiery femininity.
But beyond the clothes, it was about the music. Fiera Inquieta, the theme song, is practically a second national anthem in some parts of the world. Interestingly, none of the main actresses actually sang the songs. They were performed by Ángela María Forero, but the "protagonistas" sold those performances so well in the "Alcalá" bar scenes that many people still think it’s them singing.
🔗 Read more: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
What’s Next for the Cast?
If you’re looking to follow the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes today, you’ll find them in very different places.
- Mario Cimarro is leaning into his status as a legend, often sharing philosophical posts on Instagram and enjoying life with his daughter, Briana.
- Michel Brown is probably the most successful in terms of "prestige" TV. He’s become a go-to lead for Netflix’s Spanish-language originals.
- Natasha Klauss has built a strong career as an entrepreneur alongside her acting, often sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life and advocating for women in the industry.
- Paola Rey and El Gato still maintain a close friendship, frequently appearing in videos together that drive the nostalgia-hungry fans wild.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes, don't just stop at the TV show.
First, check out the "Behind the Scenes" specials released by Telemundo during the Season 2 launch. They offer a much more "human" look at the actors than the scripted show ever could. You’ll see the genuine emotion in their eyes when they stepped back onto the ranch for the first time in nearly two decades.
Second, follow their verified social media accounts rather than fan pages. These actors are quite active and often do "Live" sessions where they answer questions about their time on the show. It’s the best way to get the facts straight from the source.
Third, if you’re a completionist, look for their "crossover" projects. As mentioned, Paola Rey and El Gato in La Mujer en el Espejo is essential viewing for anyone who loved Oscar and Jimena.
Finally, watch the original 1994 version, Las Aguas Mansas. It features some of the same actors (like Juan Sebastián Aragón) but in completely different roles. Seeing how the story was reinterpreted for the 2003 version gives you a massive appreciation for what the protagonistas de Pasión de Gavilanes actually brought to the table. They turned a standard revenge story into a global phenomenon that refuses to die.
The reality is that Pasión de Gavilanes isn't just a show anymore; it's a shared cultural memory. Whether they are riding horses or walking the red carpet, these six actors will always be the Reyes and Elizondos to us. They captured lightning in a bottle twice, and that’s a feat very few in the entertainment world can claim.
To stay updated on their current projects, keep an eye on major streaming platforms. With the success of the revival on Netflix, it's highly likely we'll see these actors headline more high-budget productions in the coming years. Their "Star Power" is far from fading.