Isaac Alfaiate is one of Portugal’s most influential actors, with a solid career in television, film, and theatre. He started his career as a teenager, making his television debut in the youth series Morangos com Açúcar. Since then, he has participated in various prime-time soap operas. The actor also has experience in both feature films and short films. More recently, he has been part of the main casts of TVI’s prime-time soap operas, including Quer o Destino, Quero É Viver, and Festa É Festa.
Your career started early in Portuguese television. Can you tell us a little about how it all began and what motivated you to pursue acting?
I was about 17 when it all started, with a national modelling competition. I signed up at 16. Fortunately, things went well, and I ended up being a finalist and winning. I then started modelling, and later I had the opportunity to audition for Morangos com Açúcar, and that’s when my acting career began. Today, it’s been almost two decades in this career, and I’m more passionate about my profession than ever. I can’t see myself doing anything else in life but acting.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced throughout your acting journey?
Every project I participate in is always challenging, or at least that’s how I see them. Fortunately, I’ve always played very different characters from one another, which keeps me excited. This profession is full of challenges; bringing to life a person who is nothing like me is always hard work but also very stimulating.
Is there a role or project that you consider a turning point in your career?
As I said, I’ve been lucky to always find characters that take me out of my comfort zone and have always been great challenges. In this profession, we actors are constantly learning. I learn a lot from every project I participate in, so I can’t pick a single character or project where I felt a “turning point.” I want to keep being challenged and growing as an actor and, of course, as a person.
How do you choose the projects you get involved in? What attracts you most in a script or character?
The storyline and script are crucial when choosing the projects I get involved in. I always like characters that are nothing like me; I find those the most challenging.
Is there a dream role you would like to play?
For me, dream roles are all the ones I play. I always give my all and fully commit to them. I would love to do a period series; it’s one of the few things I haven’t done yet. Everything changes in a period series — the lighting, the wardrobe, the soundtrack. I’d love to have that experience, and I’m sure I’ll get that opportunity sooner or later.
We’ve heard you’re heading to Angola to join a major TVI production. What can you tell us about this project?
That’s right, I’m very excited about this project. We’re talking about a soap opera written by the talented Maria João Mira. I can’t reveal much yet, but I’ve already read the first thirty episodes, and I can guarantee it’s going to be a great one. I’m also thrilled with my character, which will once again push me to my limits. The fact that it has a top-notch cast also excites me.
What does going to Angola, a country with a strong connection to F Luxury, mean to you?
I’m very excited about this trip! It will be my first time in Angola, but I’ve always heard wonderful things about the country. I’m passionate about Africa. Since I’ll be working, I probably won’t have as much time as I’d like to explore the country, but I definitely plan to come back to get to know it better.
Would you like to explore the international market?
Of course, I think any actor aspires to an international career, and I work on that daily with my agents. Nowadays, with the many streaming platforms, things are a bit more accessible. In the past, it was very difficult to get access to international castings, but now those castings are coming to Portugal. Streaming platforms came at the right time, always offering various productions from different countries. For example, our neighbour Spain always has multiple projects happening. Here in Portugal, due to the size of our country, things don’t happen as easily, but I think we’re on the right track, and we’ll see more of our projects on these platforms.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I’m a very simple person. I love spending quality time with the people I care about most and even more time with my kids. I have two dogs, who, as I often say, are my life; I’m passionate about them, and one of the things I enjoy most is spending quality time with them. I also have a passion for photography, a hobby that started as a fun activity and gradually took up more space in my life. I love capturing moments.
