Ana Fernández
No Strings Pulled, Just Cable
The fourth season of 'Cable Girls', the first successful TV series produced by Netflix Spain, starts in September 1931, in the midst of the Spanish Second Republic. Alfonso XIII’s monarchy abolished and with gender equality as a backdrop, the plot begins with Carlota –Ana Fernández’s role— running for mayor of Madrid, like Manuela Carmena did, only 90 years earlier.
Ana Fernández (Madrid, 1989) speaks fast because her mind boils with ideas and debates that need to be expressed as soon as possible. She loves her job and is especially proud of her contribution to Cable Girls. “The show doesn’t really delve into the political times in which the plot takes place. What matters are the personal stories of the main characters, but the winds of freedom brought by the nascent Republic are felt in this fourth season.” As if acting weren’t enough, Ana is now trying her luck as a singer. No quiero estar contigo (I don’t want to be with you) is the title of her first song. Ana doesn’t need to pull any strings, just cable for her talent to run free.
How has this show changed your life?
At first it was crazy, the promotion was super intense. The most remarkable is how, after being a success in Spain, it has also conquered other countries. Cable girls is well known in most Latin American countries and in the United States. Without expecting it, we have become famous there. But it’s not like it has changed our lives… What really infuriates me is that here in Spain, when you’re involved in a project of this magnitude, nobody calls you for anything else because they think you're committed exclusively to it. And that’s not true.
Marga (Nadia de Santiago), Óscar (Ana Polvorosa), Carlota (Ana Fernández), Lidia (Blanca Suárez) and Ángeles (Maggie Civantos) are the main characters of 'Cable Girls', an acclaimed and exquisitely researched Spanish TV series. © Netflix
Marga (Nadia de Santiago), Óscar (Ana Polvorosa), Carlota (Ana Fernández), Lidia (Blanca Suárez) and Ángeles (Maggie Civantos) are the main characters of Cable Girls, an acclaimed and exquisitely researched Spanish TV series. © Netflix
Marga (Nadia de Santiago), Óscar (Ana Polvorosa), Carlota (Ana Fernández), Lidia (Blanca Suárez) and Ángeles (Maggie Civantos) are the main characters of 'Cable Girls', an acclaimed and exquisitely researched Spanish TV series. © Netflix
"The most natural I am, the more at peace I am"
What is fame like to you?
It’s sweet and bearable. I think my public image is pretty neutral. I have never caused any rough controversies, and whenever I have been involved in a quarrel because of something I have said on social networks, I’ve solved it myself. I’m a fairly transparent person when it comes to work, love, to everything I do, really. The most natural I am, the more at peace I am. On the other hand, people who come up to me asking for a picture or something like that are very, very polite.
When did you talent as an actress emerged?
I’ve always been acting. It’s part of me, of my growth as a person, it has always served me as an outlet. I could have devoted myself to sports, but I took to theatre and dramatization. I got my first job when I was in college—a role in Cuestión de sexo, a [channel] Cuatro TV series, and I decided to become a professional. My family has always supported me.
Blanca Suárez, Maggie Civantos, Nadia de Santiago, Ana Polvorosa... How do you get along with the Cable Girls in real life?
We get along really well. Some of us know each other from acting in the same teenage shows. Now we’re in our thirties and we’re all living our lives. If I told you we’re all very close or that we’re very close with the boys in the show, I would be lying to you. We get along very well because we are very professional and very good colleagues when it comes to getting the job done. We spend many hours together, and I can guarantee you we all spend them in good spirits, boy and girls.
Will we see Carlota as mayor of Madrid?
I can say nothing. At the moment I’m just campaigning. (Laughs)
