'Mayans MC' star Clayton Cardenas reveals how the brotherhood on the show has helped him 'develop as a man'
'Mayans MC' is a gift that keeps on giving. Created by Kurt Sutter and Elgin James, the show follows EZ (JD Pardo) as a prospect in the Santo Padre charter of the Mayans M.C. Set two-and-a-half years after the events of its parent show 'Sons of Anarchy', the universe of 'Mayans MC' has since its first season spread its wings. The show has created its own mythology and brilliantly so.
When news of the show first came out though, audiences were quick to brush it off saying the makers were only cashing in on the popularity of 'Sons of Anarchy'. But 'Mayans MC' proved its mettle.
In an exclusive chat with MEA WorldWide, Clayton Cardenas, who plays EZ's brother Angel, explained how creators Sutter and James created that distinction. "I think it was Kurt (Sutter) and Elgin (James’) goal to quickly try and separate us ['Mayans MC'] from the 'Sons of Anarchy' universe. We are grateful for what they created over there, but we are definitely distinguishing ourselves as our own entity," he pointed out.
"We are obviously different culturally. With that alone comes stories that only certain cultures are privy too. We walk different, we talk different, our swag is different. What remains the same is that the audience laughs and cries with us just like they did with 'Sons of Anarchy'. The humanity will always be the glue that can tie all TV shows together."
This particular season, Cardenas' character Angel has been through a colossal development. There is a lot that is happening at his end - he is going to become a father, but Adelita (Carla Baratta) is held hostage by Potter (Ray McKinnon). He has also just discovered the reality of his father Felipe's (Edward James Olmos) true identity and uncovered more details about his mother's murder. Add to that there are secrets he is yet to uncover. All in all, season 2 so far has been full of conflict for Angel.
But what offers Cardenas some perspective on his character Angel is his own life. In previous interviews, he had said how growing up with sisters has made him more appreciative of the brotherhood that 'Mayans MC' has to offer. "Growing up mainly with women in my life has given me such a different point of view. Also, a different understating of humanity that I am forever grateful for."
"It was a challenge at times growing up though trying to understand what being a “man” was. Even using that term “being a man” sounds ridiculous to me now. But growing up with a single mom forced me to look outside the household to older boys in the neighborhood whom I deemed as cool. And inside the household it was the “men” on TV that I would look to for advice or how to handle a certain situation. Back then I didn’t know those older boys only had me around for their benefit. They weren’t thinking about Clayton’s future, they were only thinking of what they needed for themselves in that moment or how they could use me to help them with something. And also back then I didn’t know the men on TV weren’t 'real'!? I thought that everything always worked out for the “real men”, he said.
But this very idea of a "man" has evolved for Cardenas since working on 'Mayans'. "Being around the brotherhood of 'Mayans MC' has really helped me develop as a “man” and more importantly a human being. The relationship I have really enjoyed though is the one with my brother JD Pardo [who plays EX]. He is the brother I’ve always wanted. I finally get to share those feelings with someone who understands them wholeheartedly," he said.
After a very tumultuous start to the season, EZ and Angel joined forces to work together to uncover secrets and find the truth about their family. Will they be able to survive what they discover?
'Mayans MC' airs Tuesdays on FX at 10 p.m.