Keller Wortham on Exploring a New Side of Esteban in ‘Jane the Virgin’ [Exclusive Interview]

Jane the Virgin fans are already familiar with the character of Esteban Santiago, the often hysterical and egomaniacal telenovela star, played by the delightful Keller Wortham.

But this season, we are getting to see a whole new side of him.

I recently had a chat with Wortham about his character’s new trajectory, the alternate realities of telenovelas, and the importance of depicting Latin-American culture on television.

“It feels great to be back,” began Wortham, who hasn’t appeared on the show since 2016.

“I’m going to be in about nine or ten episodes. There are new circumstances that allow Esteban – and me as an actor – to explore some levels that are more than just being the arrogant, obnoxious prick.”

Wortham and his most prominent scene partner Jaime Camil – who plays arch-nemesis Rogelio de la Vega – have undeniable on-screen chemistry. Together, they form a rivalry that is deeply fraught and contentious, but alleviated with slapstick comedy.

Behind-the-scenes, though, the two have a much healthier dynamic.

“We quickly bonded over mutual friends in the entertainment world,” Wortham said. “[Jaime’s] such a joy on set. He likes to play and doesn’t take anything too seriously. It allows the opportunity to communicate, try different things, discuss beforehand what we think the best energy is for the scene, and then just jump into it. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”

In the last few episodes, we’ve seen a shift in Rogelio and Esteban’s relationship. Because of Darcy (Justina Machado), Rogelio’s baby-mama and the woman who has swiftly captured Esteban’s heart, the two are learning to tolerate each other.

“There’s a fine line between both characters lobbying for their importance in the life of not only Darcy but this child, and trying to put aside all of the competition that existed in years past. There is a thawing in [that] sense just by necessity,” Wortham noted.

“But I hope that throughout the season, that the writers continue to allow us to have that rivalry, because it’s so much fun. I don’t see these guys becoming friends, more than anything because I don’t think it suits the show.”

Wortham also noted that Esteban’s feelings for Darcy are true and that his newfound love for her and her baby humanizes him in ways we haven’t seen before. He’s exhibiting a more genuine and caring side, a departure from his usual diva-like antics.

“Really, Esteban, like many egotistical people, is also just looking for love. And how that manifests is different in each person, so in him, it’s this arrogant protectionism of trying to feel like the most important person in his world.

“But now, there’s a shift in focus. He’s found a woman that he’s honestly in love with. I don’t think he’s playing Darcy. So that just inherently brings out new layers of a character. I’m happy to get the opportunity to play some different colors that are more truthful and multilayered than protecting your ego.”

Wortham shared that filming the scene where Darcy gives birth led to one of his favorite on-set memories. As Darcy, Esteban, and Rogelio were all crouched together semi-naked in the birthing pool, they were met with a little surprise.

“There’s this very sweet moment in the tub where we got this baby — who just incidentally pissed all over us,” Wortham laughed.

“We’re holding the baby, and a pee stream just comes towards our faces, and now we’re sitting in a pool of water and urine. But it was such an honest moment. Jaime and I really got to bond. It has brought us together for better or for worse.”

Wortham also stars in a new show called Sangre de mi tierra, which will air on Telemundo later this month.

“It’s a Romeo and Juliet story about two immigrant families. I come in to create conflict for one of the families. That was a really fun story to be a part of.”

Wortham, whose real-life American accent strays from the Latin accent he plays on the show, has acted in telenovelas in the past. He talked about the joys and challenges of alternating between different Spanish-speaking identities, and being on a show that both parodies and embodies the melodramatic genre.

“It’s a mind warp to switch from playing an American-born character in Latin telenovelas, to then playing a Latin-born character in an American-pseudo telenovela,” Wortham admitted.

“In this case, I went back and forth. I was in Miami filming a show with Telemundo that will air at the end of this month, where I play a first generation Mexican-American, to then coming one week from the next back to Jane the Virgin to do a Latino character who has a thick accent and is working in novellas as well.”

“I love acting in Spanish; it presents a unique challenge. The novellas and TV series I’ve filmed in Spanish are ironically much more grounded and less absurdist than what we’re making fun of with Jane the Virgin. When I cut back to [the show], it almost feels like an alternate universe. They almost exist very separately. It’s fun to be in both worlds.”

Over the years, Jane the Virgin has been lauded by critics for its confident and poignant storytelling and strong depiction of Latin-American culture. Wortham expressed what it means to him to be involved in such an important show.

“I’m so grateful to get to be part of this world. I’m an American. I was born here, and Spanish is a second language that I learned in school, not through family ties. But, I’ve always had such an affinity for the Latin culture. Its people. Its warmth. Its focus on family. Its music. Its food. I’ve been lucky enough to live in Spain for several years, and Colombia for many years working,” he shared.

“[Jane the Virgin] is different than your traditional, Anglo-American world. I feel very privileged to be part of storylines that are embracing those different voices, and shedding light on the difficulties of Latin-Americans, both native-born and immigrants, and also the beautiful aspect of it, in religion and family and cultural diversity.”

Be sure to catch Keller Wortham on Jane the Virgin, Fridays at 9/8c on The CW, and on Sangre de mi tierra which will premiere on Telemundo on November 29.

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