Sebastian Rulli. That name alone usually sells a show. But when Papá a toda madre premiered on Televisa back in 2017, it wasn't just another cookie-cutter melodrama. It felt different. It was lighter, sure, but it actually tried to say something about modern fatherhood in a culture where the "macho" provider image usually reigns supreme. People still hunt for info on the papa a toda madre cast because that specific ensemble had a chemistry you just don't see every day.
The show followed four very different dads. They weren't perfect. Honestly, most of them were kind of a mess at the start. You had the playboy, the traditionalist, the guy struggling with unemployment, and the one trying to balance a career with a growing family. It resonated. Even now, years after the finale, the actors' careers have taken some wild turns, and looking back at where they were then vs. where they are now is a trip.
Sebastian Rulli and the Evolution of Mauricio López-Garza
Sebastian Rulli played Mauricio. If you’ve watched any Spanish-language TV in the last two decades, you know Rulli. He’s the golden boy. In this show, he starts as this incredibly vain, shallow business owner who hates children. Then, boom—a nine-year-old girl named Anifer shows up claiming to be his daughter.
Rulli’s performance was a pivot. He had to move away from the "brooding heartthrob" vibes of Lo que la vida me robó and embrace physical comedy. It worked. His chemistry with Regina Graniewicz, who played Anifer, was the heartbeat of the show. Regina was a find. Usually, child actors in soaps can be a bit... wooden? Not her. She held her own against a veteran like Rulli, which is probably why people were so obsessed with their scenes.
Interestingly, Rulli has stayed at the top of the food chain. After the papa a toda madre cast wrapped, he moved into massive projects like El Dragón and the remake of Los ricos también lloran. He’s managed to age into these "leading man" roles while maintaining a massive social media presence where he’s surprisingly candid about his life with Angelique Boyer.
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Maite Perroni: More Than Just a Rebelde
Then there’s Maite Perroni. She played Renée. By 2017, she was already trying to shed the "ex-RBD" label, though fans will never let that go. Renée was great because she wasn't a damsel. She was a driven student, a woman with a plan, and she didn't initially fall for Mauricio’s nonsense.
Perroni’s career trajectory since this show has been insane. She basically became the queen of Netflix thrillers. If you’ve seen Oscuro Deseo (Dark Desire) or Tríada, you know she’s lightyears away from the lighthearted comedy of Papá a toda madre. It’s almost jarring to go back and see her in this role after seeing her play three different versions of herself in a gritty suspense drama. But that’s the mark of a good actor, right? She used this show to prove she could handle a lead role that required timing and warmth before diving into the dark stuff.
The Supporting Dads: Breaking the Mold
The show wasn't just about Rulli. The other three dads in the papa a toda madre cast brought the actual substance to the "modern parenting" theme.
- Mark Tacher as Fabián Carvajal. Mark is usually a lead, so seeing him as the best friend/villainous-leaner was a choice. He played the guy who basically stole the company. Tacher has this intensity that makes him perfect for "frenemy" roles.
- Raúl Araiza as Toño Barrientos. This was the most "real" storyline for a lot of viewers. Toño becomes a stay-at-home dad while his wife goes to work. In a Latin American context, this was a huge deal to portray on primetime TV. Araiza is a staple on the morning show Hoy, so he brought a very relatable, "everyman" energy to the role.
- Juan Carlos Barreto as Nerón Machuca. The older dad. He’s dating a much younger woman and becomes a father again late in life. Barreto is one of those character actors who makes everything better. He’s been in everything from La usurpadora to Vencer el miedo.
- Sergio Mur as Jorge Turrubiates. The strict, religious lawyer dealing with a separation. Mur is Spanish, and he brought a different rhythm to the comedy. His character’s struggle with being a "perfect" father while his life fell apart was painfully funny.
The Women Who Kept it Together
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning Veronica Jaspeado. She played Chiris. She is a comedic genius. Seriously. Her timing is impeccable. She played Toño’s wife, the one who actually had to go out and provide. Her dynamic with Raúl Araiza provided some of the best laughs, but also some of the most touching moments about marriage roles.
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And then there’s Michelle González as Flor Ivonne. She’s become a much bigger name since the show, often playing the antagonist in shows like Mi fortuna es amarte. In Papá a toda madre, she was part of the younger ensemble that helped flesh out the world.
Why the Chemistry Worked (And the Controversy)
You might remember the backlash. It’s hard to talk about the papa a toda madre cast without mentioning the fact that the show featured a same-sex couple, played by Andrés Zuno and Raúl Coronado. In 2017, this caused a massive stir. There were even petitions to boycott the show.
Televisa stood their ground, though.
The actors handled it with a lot of grace. Rafael (Zuno) and Rodrigo (Coronado) weren't caricatures. They were just two people wanting to start a family. Looking back, that was a turning point for Mexican TV. It paved the way for "Aristemo" in Mi marido tiene familia. If the chemistry between Zuno and Coronado hadn't been so grounded and sincere, the audience might not have come around. But they did. By the end of the run, they were fan favorites.
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Where Are They Now?
If you're looking to follow the cast today, here’s the quick rundown of their current paths:
- Sebastian Rulli: Still the king of the 9 PM slot. He’s very active on TikTok, often doing comedy skits that feel like a throwback to his Mauricio days.
- Maite Perroni: Recently became a mom in real life! She’s mostly focused on high-end streaming series now rather than long-running soaps.
- Regina Graniewicz: She’s growing up! She’s continued acting and has appeared in projects like Si nos dejan. Watching her transition from the little girl Anifer to a teen actress is wild for long-time fans.
- Raúl Araiza: Still a daily fixture on Mexican TV. He’s basically the face of Televisa’s morning programming.
- Andrés Zuno: He’s moved more into music and theater, but he remains a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in media.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're planning a rewatch or diving in for the first time, keep an eye on the background characters. Many actors who had small roles in the papa a toda madre cast have since become leads in their own right. The show was a bit of a talent incubator.
Also, pay attention to the shift in tone around episode 20. The show starts as a broad comedy but gets surprisingly deep regarding the legal rights of fathers and the emotional toll of unemployment. It's not just fluff.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Check out the official VIX streaming platform. They usually keep the entire run of Papá a toda madre in their catalog. If you're into behind-the-scenes content, Sebastian Rulli’s old YouTube vlogs from that era give a great look at how the four "dads" bonded on set. They actually spent a lot of time together off-camera, which explains why their group scenes felt so natural.
Don't just watch it for the romance between Rulli and Perroni. Watch it for the "Council of Dads" meetings. That’s where the real magic of the cast happened. It was a moment in time where Televisa tried to modernize the genre, and for the most part, they actually nailed it.