If you haven’t been watching Sky Atlantic’s Riviera you’ve been missing out this year’s must-watch series. Kicking off its third season in October, Riviera takes us through the glamorous life of art-dealer Georgina Ryland who must navigate the secretive world of the French Riviera. Trying to escape the devastation and tragedies of the previous season, season three takes us to exotic Argentina introducing us to a brand new cast.

“I think this season has many things to keep the audience engaged,” newcomer Franco Masini tells us. “Many amazing places, lots of action, and a very interesting screenplay in all episodes. We always want to know what is happening to Georgina. Also, the story of Daphne reaches a very interesting point. And the Argentinian stuff also.”

Joining the cast this season, Masini plays the charismatic youngest Suarez brother Cesar. Desperately wanting to prove himself to his father, Cesar leads a playboy lifestyle with a hot-headed impulsive behaviour to match. We caught up with the newcomer talking his role and what else is to come in the new season.

Check out the interview below…

Hi Franco, how have you been? What have you been up to this lockdown, how have you kept yourself busy?
I’ve been working a lot! I think it was a good time to focus on my music, and other projects I want to do next. I’ve been writing more than 15 songs and preparing a play for next year at theatre. I’ve also had time to see many movies, and read a lot, I’ve usually been working the past months so the quarantine gave me time for that.

How did you get involved with Riviera?
I made a casting tape in Argentina, where I needed to prepare the scenes in English. It was funny because I was finishing a play and after that going on holiday, but Pablo the casting director here in Argentina called me to say I needed to do something right now. I explained to him I was going holiday, so he made me send the casting the same day. When I was in Europe my manager called me saying that I was in Riviera and I must go to Venice the next week. So it was amazing, I had almost three months in Europe shooting Riviera, in Venice, Nice and Saint Tropez. And after that in my own country Argentina.

You play the youngest Suarez Cesar, how did you approach your character?
I think he has an important part in the show because he is always creating danger for Georgina (Julia Stiles). I tried to approach the role by studying his background; he had some trouble with his father and his mother had died so Cesar was always feeling empty in that way. The most interest thing I’ve thought about is that he is always trying to do things to have his father’s approval. He is also homosexual, but he doesn’t say too much about it.

Cesar desperately wants to impress his father – why do you think this is?
Did you face any challenges when playing Cesar? Cesar wants to impress his father because he feels useless. He is always trying to get the attention of his father, and he likes it when his father makes him part of his decisions. Cesar lost his mother so he feels alone, that’s why he tries to reach his brother and father and keep their attention by doing bad things. Yes. Playing Cesar was really a nice adventure, I’ve learned to use guns, and I had many action scenes. Also I had the possibility to have some dance, and make an important dance scene in the show with classic Argentinian tango. Was a very funny character to make.

What is one thing you’re excited for the audience to see from season 3?
I think this season has many things to keep the audience engaged. Many amazing places, lots of action, and a very interesting screenplay in all episodes. We always want to know what is happening to Georgina. Also, the story of Daphne reaches a very interesting point. And the Argentinian stuff also.

What is next for you? What are you most excited for?
I am very excited about Riviera. I am about to start shooting a very important international series in Mexico for a streaming channel. And I just released my first music album, so I am very happy about that also and working in my first live show.