'Queen of the South' actor Hemky Madera and co-star Alice Bragga share a genuinely affectionate rapport: 'We are like family'

Madera plays Pote while Alice plays Teresa on the show. The duo's relationship grew over the course of the three seasons, leading to the two forming a strong bond and him becoming Teresa's trusted sidekick and partner in crime
UPDATED MAY 26, 2019

'Queen of the South' is all set to make a comeback with season four on June 6 on USA Network. In the upcoming season, the queen pin is expected to set out to New Orleans and begin her reign on the East Coast. The show that revolves around the international cocaine trade follows Teresa Mendoza (Alice Bragga), a woman who is forced to seek refuge in America after her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico. In her journey along which she created a life for herself in the same drug cartel that had her on the run, Teresa also finds a family, with unexpected alliances, as well as enemies. 

Alice Bragga and Hemky Madera in 'Queen of the South' (Source: IMDB)

Part of Teresa's tight inner circle is Pote Galvez (Hemky Madera), who left the Camila Vargas' cartel along with Teresa as he found himself increasingly taking her side after she let him live. Pote follows Teresa to Malta and in one of the show's most memorable moments, tells her that after he injured his hand, he might not be able to shoot anymore, but will take a bullet for her.  Teresa and Pote's relationship grew over the course of the three seasons, leading to the two forming a strong bond and him becoming Teresa's trusted sidekick and partner in crime.

Hemky Madera, who plays Pote in 'Queen of the South',  in an exclusive interview with MEA World Wide (MEAWW), talks about his off-screen rapport with Alice Bragga with as much affection as his on-screen self has for Teresa. "We are like family; we have a brother and sister relationship," he says and similar to his character Pote, Madera is a man of few words.

About the duo's relationship that developed through the course of the show, Madera said that although it had "started as a hunt" when Pote was sent to kill Teresa, "through a series of events he became her protector, mentor, soldier, and family." Pote, who is an experienced sicario, is a distinct and multi-dimensioned character. About portraying the different sides of this complex character, Madera said: "I believe that we all, as humans, have an aggressive and a sensitive side. Pote is no exception." He said that he was able to portray the character by being truthful to him, and "it’s been fun to play this character, but he is so different from me as a person."

If you have an entertainment scoop or a story for us, please reach out to us on (323) 421-7515

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

HBO recently revealed a new release time for the fifth 'Industry' Season 4 episode, and fans couldn't be more thrilled
11 minutes ago
Ser Dunk and Egg are returning sooner than expected as HBO quietly shifted the schedule ahead of the 'Super Bowl’ weekend
41 minutes ago
‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part one ends on a risky ask, but the second-half brings a walk-away threat, and a surprise baby cameo.
1 day ago
Benedict and Sophie’s ‘Bridgerton’ romance heats up in the show's part one, but here’s how Netflix reshapes the classic story from the books.
1 day ago
Catherine O’Hara’s starrer ‘Schitt’s Creek’ follows a once-wealthy family forced to rebuild their lives in a tiny town they never planned to call home
1 day ago
Marvel’s big cosmic reboot just hit the brakes, with ‘Imperial Guardians’ quietly shifting from bold new era to a short run before it even begins.
1 day ago
Ahead of host Trevor Noah kicking off the Grammys 2026, celebrities from Teddy Swims to PinkPantheress are celebrating early.
2 days ago
By the end of the first half of 'Bridgerton' Season 4, Danbury has set things in motion that may ultimately lead to her departure
2 days ago
A ‘Daredevil’ (2003) actor turns up in ‘Wonder Man’, but Marvel flips expectations with a sharp, self-aware cameo.
2 days ago
Showrunner Jess Brownell had teased the leads for 'Bridgerton' Seasons 5 and 6 in a creative reveal using her pocket square
2 days ago