"Élite's" Ester Expósito Says the Netflix Show "Changed My Life Completely" (2024)

• Season 3 of Élite hit Netflix on Friday, March 13.
• Since the show's debut in 2018, Ester Expósito has played Carla, one of the most talked-about characters in the series. During a recent interview with OprahMag.com, she explained how the show has transformed her life.
• Oh, and if you haven't had enough of Élite, learn more about actress Danna Paola (Lu), brush up on the ace soundtrack, and see where the real location of the fictional Las Encinas is.

As soon as season 1 of Élite premiered on Netflix in 2018, the steamy teen drama about a group of private high schoolers in Spain quickly became a cult favorite. And many fans—myself included—were immediately raving about Ester Expósito, the scene-stealing actress who plays the scheming, sexpot character, Carla.

But now, with the recent season 3 premiere of Élite, many fans are eager to learn more about who, exactly, Ester Expósito is—and what's next for her. But don't worry, my fellow superfans: This is far from the last time you'll see the actress on-screen, big or small.

During an interview in Madrid last year, I chatted with the 20-year-old on the set of Alguien Tiene Que Morir (or Someone Has to Die), an upcoming mini-series created by Manolo Caro, the mind behind another hit Spanish Netflix series, La Casa de Las Flores. Immediately upon meeting her, I was struck with the sense that Expósito has that "it factor," the kind that means she is destined for superstardom.

During our chat, Expósito herself even seemed to realize that she's on the cusp of something even bigger.

"In two years, Élite has changed my life completely. Even though I had already done two movies and participated in other shows, the success of this show has obviously made, like, a before and after in my career, where now people know who I am around the world," she said. "And we filmed Élite for two years, so it was really different for me to get to develop a character and dig deeper over time. I'll always appreciate what Carla has taught me."

Expósito has even been practicing her English; she mentioned that she hopes that after Alguien Tiene Que Morir, next up might be films—perhaps even some outside of her first language.

"I really want to go back to movies. I would also love to make a comedy because I haven't explored that in a TV show or movie," she said. "And I also would like to go back to theater. But one thing at a time!"

If, like me, you're eager to learn more about this rising star, soak up her best answers to my many questions below. Because I'm telling you, you're going to start seeing this actress on every screen near you soon.

First things first: Where is Ester Expósito from, and how did she become an actress?

Ester Expósito is from Madrid, Spain, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. Immediately after finishing high school, where she studied theater and was involved in community acting groups, she kicked off her acting career, first starring in the Spanish docudrama Centro Medico before nabbing a role in the popular prison drama Vis a Vis.

So, question...how old is Ester Expósito? Is she really in high school like her character on Élite?

Don't worry, I also Googled this question immediately after watching the first season. Expósito is just so good as Carla that you have to wonder how much, exactly, she has in common with her character. But in real life, her age, 20, is just a few years removed from high school.

Does she have a novio—er, boyfriend?

From my social media stalking, it doesn't seem that the actress is romantically linked to anyone. But as an Élite superfan, I will keep my eyes peeled. And I'd also like to put it out there that I definitely 'ship Carla and Samu. Just 'sayin!

Has she appeared in any other TV shows or movies yet?

Indeed. While Élite definitely put Expósito on the map, both in Spain and internationally, it's been far from her only project. As mentioned, she's had roles in Centro Medico and Vis a Vis, and in 2019 she also appeared in seven episodes of La caza. Monteperdido, a psychological thriller about two girls who go missing from the Pyrenee mountain town of Monteperdido.

Up next for Expósito? In addition to season 3 of Élite, the Madrid native recently filmed a part for the TV series Veneno. Vida y muerte de un icono, which will chronicle the life of Spanish trans actress Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez, better known as La Veneno.

She also recently wrapped filming for Netflix's Alguien Tiene Que Morir, or Someone Has to Die in English. For now, details of the plot are mostly being kept under wraps, beyond the fact that it centers around a young boy who brings his fiancé home to meet his parents—and when he does, she happens to be a mysterious ballet dancer. In the drama, which is set in the 1950s, Expósito did reveal to me that she she will play a "high society girl" named Caroline.

Okay, I need even more—is Ester Expósito on Instagram?

Yes! You can follow her at @ester_exposito and I promise you it's worth the follow. She often posts behind the scenes Instagram stories with her fellow Élite cast members, from which I often find myself doing detective work to pick up clues about the series.

But let's be honest: Her feed is also a great place for some gratuitous shots of her captured in all of her stunning beauty. See for yourself:

Enjoy—and see you at the end of Élite season 3.

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