Actor Erniel Baez speaks to Close-Up Culture about his role in the crime drama series, Hotel Cocaine.
Hi Erniel, you play Ray Dorado in Hotel Cocaine. What excited you about this project?
In all honesty, there were many things that excited me about this project! I keep saying that Hotel Cocaine was a dream project for me because it checked so many boxes off my wish list. Firstly, the idea of being able to collaborate with industry giants such as Chris Brancato, someone who has developed so many great shows and has proven to be a great writer throughout his career.
Second, to be able to work with legendary filmmaker and Academy Award winner, Guillermo Navarro. We can’t forget the incredible cast, led by the great Danny Pino, Yul Vasquez and Michael Chiklis. Also, filming in the Caribbean, so close to my home in Cuba, was a dream that the little boy in me always wished would come true. And of course getting a chance to play such an interesting character, with so many dimensions set in the backdrop of the city of Miami, during its most hectic period, all contributed to making this project a must for me.
What can you tell us about Ray?
Ray Dorado is a character largely based on a real-life person that frequented the Mutiny during the 70’s and 80’s. He is a prominent banker in the city of Miami, with affiliations to dubious individuals from both the legitimate and criminal world. He also happens to be a regular VIP customer at the Mutiny hotel and club, where some wild and crazy things happen throughout the series. The show takes place at the epicentre of the Miami cocaine scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
How did you prepare for this role? Did you immerse yourself in the culture of the time?
To prepare for the role I tried to immerse myself in as much information about the way of life during that time. Fortunately, I was able to find a pretty detailed character description of the real-life Ray, which proved to be invaluable. I read every book and watched every documentary that I could on the world in Miami in the 70’s and 80’s. This enabled me to create a clearer picture of the environment that surrounded my Ray, which in turn enabled me to understand his thought process and motivations behind his decision making.
Obviously, there’s a lot of chaos and excess on the show. What was the atmosphere like on set?
The atmosphere was fantastic! The entire cast became very close during the filming process which made everyone feel like a family. We had the opportunity to work on some incredible sets, built and designed by amazing production designers, where you really felt that it transported back to Miami in the 1970s. Add in the spectacular wardrobes, and it’s as if we had taken a ride back in time!
What will be your standout memory from working on the series?
I will cherish every moment I had on this series! I became a better actor and a better person from this experience. I learned and grew exponentially both in front and behind the camera. The one thing I will carry with me forever will be the friendships that we built throughout the process. One moment I won’t soon forget was on my first day working with the great Michael Chiklis. Given the physical nature of the scene, it really required us to have complete trust in one another. Sharing an intense moment such as that one, is very special because you end up creating a bond with one another that lasts forever.
What is next for you?
Aside from promoting Hotel Cocaine which is now airing on MGM+, another series I am excited for is Cross! This is an upcoming series for Amazon Prime, starring Aldis Hodge, which is based on the thriller novel series written by James Patterson. I play the role of Alejandro “Jando” Galvan, a coroner who helps Cross with his cases.
Follow Erniel on Instagram – Erniel Baez (@erniel.baez)