By Bel Hernandez
Julio Macias (Jane The Virgin, S.W.A.T.) has never been interested in playing a heartthrob, although he certainly has the looks to be considered one. Since the young age of seven when the acting bug hit, he has been looking forward to playing a forty-year-old. But that will have to wait, as he is currently starring as Oscar “Spooky” Diaz on Netflix’s On My Block — his character is in his 20’s, so the 40-year-old can wait. Especially, because Netflix announced today that On My Block has been renewed for a third season.
Born in Mexico to a family who was already in “show business” — his parents owned a dubbing company, working on film and TV. At an early age, he got a taste of the “biz” doing a few voice gigs. But Macias had bigger plans to expand his acting range. He moved to Los Angeles, then traveled back East Coast to study acting at the Circle in the Square Conservatory.
In 2013, Julio and Alfredo Ibarra became business partners, both fully dedicated to the art of film and creative media content, opened BlankFilms. They’ve produced several music videos for artists with labels like Sony Music Latin and Universal Music, along with short films, sketches, and a full-length feature. Currently, they are working on an original feature, Pega Como Niña” (Punch Like A Girl). This feature is a true story of a mother who’s vowed to never be defenseless again, after being assaulted in the metro with her two daughters, takes her all the way to the Olympics.
While producing he found a new respect for the art of acting and was soon also back in front of the camera.
It took four years of auditioning after returning to L.A. before Macias landed the role of Oscar in On My Block. Although he plays Cesar’s (Diego Tinoco) older brother, a gangbanger and the leader of the Santos gang who is feared by everyone, including his brother, Macias recognized that this role was not the usual stereotype. “Spooky” had a depth.
He saw the vision of the character in the scripts by writer/creator Eddie Gonzalez (All Eyez On Me), Jeremy Haft (Tamara), and Lauren Iungerich (Awkward), who created a multi-layered character. A conflicted and intelligent young man who fell into the gang life by family affiliation and deficiencies. A person who could easily ask his little brother to kill someone, but then stop him, because he sees a little girl passing by and he did not want her to witness the shooting. “I know it is wrong for Oscar to ask Cesar to kill someone,” Macias says. “But I refuse to make him [Oscar] the bad guy. That is a lot easier to play. The things he does, he does out of love,” Macias claims.
His character has resonated with audiences. Macias’ social media following went from 1,000 to over 250,000 immediately after the first season aired. He credits the writers for creating the three-dimensional character, who is not just intimidating – but also very complicated. In the end, he knows one thing, Oscar does love his brother very much, and he does let the love shine through.
Having grown up in the States, Macias identifies with his character on several levels, especially as a Mexican-American. “I am Mexican born, a kid who went to school in Miami and also grew up in L.A. I did not understand how to fit in,” he explained. “I realized when I did Evelina Fernandez’s play Mexican Trilogy at LATC, that I am a Chicano. In that cast, we all had lived the L.A. experience, we all love Mariachi, we all spoke Spanish…that play opened my eyes.”
That is the source of authenticity the producers claim they saw in Macias. It was what they found in all the actors cast On My Block. However, it seems “Oscar” is a favorite among fans as well as the writers. “Oscar is one of our favorite characters,” says show creator Gonzalez.
The first season On My Block, which has been lauded as “diversity done right”, was the most binge-watched show of 2018. The cliffhanger of Ruby Martinez’s (Jason Genao) death, lead to the anticipation of season two, which started streaming on March 29. Fans devoured all 10 episodes at such a fast rate, which most likely lead to Netflix renewing On My Block for a 3rd season just last week. Already social media is abuzz speculating on what is in store for all the characters in season three.
Meanwhile, Macias continues producing content through his BlankFilms with the goal to always keep learning. It is no secret Macias has always had an inclination towards storytelling, and there is no doubt he has a future to explore on various levels.
Macias is repped by Pantheon Talent, Corner Booth Entertainment (management), and PV Public Relations.
On My Block TV Series
A coming-of-age story about four bright, street-savvy friends navigating their way through high school in the gritty inner city of South Central Los Angeles. Dealing with the danger of getting their friend out of a gang and friends turning into romance, danger is constant.
On My Block series stars: Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Maria Garcia, Roni Hawk, and Julio Macias.
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