Gerardo Celasco — The Bare Magazine

Gerardo Celasco stars as detective Alex Lopez in the hit thriller mini series “Devil in Ohio” streaming now on Netflix. It is based on the novel of the same name by Daria Polatin. Check it out if you’re in the mood for an on the edge of your seat escape. Gerardo met up with us fresh off a trip from LA where he was working on a new HBO project. We took him on a vintage shopping spree at our favorite Cure Thrift where he picked out some super fine threads. Scroll on down to see the shots we captured there and our chat on Devil, the power of Netflix, his wife Jennifer Morrison (who recently joined us here) and his list of favorite things. We are thrilled to have this truly gifted pair for bare!

The Bare Magazine: Have you been enjoying the amazing response to the show?

Gerardo Celasco: The power of Netflix is INCREDIBLE!! To have the number one show on Netflix worldwide for over a week is pretty incredible. Even recently, per streaming numbers we were the 2nd most watched show behind Lord of The Rings on Amazon.

This was my first time working for Netflix, and it’s been the most free I have felt as an actor on set.

What impacted me the most, was that Daria Polatin (writer), and I had a conversation early on about Alex Lopez (my character) possibly being from El Salvador. The response I received from that alone, made this entire project worth it. Thousands of Salvadorans reached out to me saying how incredible it was to see a fully developed person on screen as a Salvadoran. A detective, speaking with no accent, that just happened to be from El Salvador. We hear a lot about how representation matters, and this project really showed me the power of it.

But it’s a testament to the power of Netflix. This show was on hundreds of countries on the exact same day. It’s the first project that I’ve been in that my grand mother in El Salvador was able to watch. And that to me means the world to me.

Bare: What elements do you think are key to making it such a hit?

GC: It was all on the page. Nothing changed much from what was in the script to on the screen. Daria wrote a great book (which is what the show is based on), based on a true story, which seems stranger than fiction. The show moves at a great pace and it kept me wanting to know more about this cult. Plus, we had an incredible crew in Vancouver, producers who were with us the entire time, great directors, and an incredible group of actors, led by Emily Deschanel.

Bare: What challenged you most as an actor on Devil?

GC: I think the hardest part of this job, was having to work alone so much. My character investigates alone for a large portion of the season. When you are alone with no one to work opposite, you really have to work harder to make it believable. I really had to trust all of the directors.

Bare: Can you clue us in on other genres or projects that are on your dream list?

GC: I’d love to have a nice role in a film. I haven’t yet played a significant character in a film the way I have on television. I might also like to do something a little lighter, something in the comedy space, or romantic comedy. It’s something that really scares me, because I haven’t done it yet, but I’d love that challenge.

Bare: How are you enjoying spending time in NYC with your wife Jennifer Morrison while she's on her directing project? Also you must be proud of your lady!

GC: It took me a long time to enjoy NY, but now I can truly say I’m loving being here. Jen loves it, and when we are together it makes me really enjoy it. I keep telling her - now we need to get a place in Williamsburg. She works in NYC often, and we really enjoy our time here.

And yes, I’m incredibly proud! I get a front row seat to it all. I see how hard she works every single day, I hear the zoom meetings, and the pitches, all of it. So seeing her in her element once she’s in it, and is doing it…it’s just sexy. She really is an incredible director, and I’m thrilled that more and more producers and companies are noticing. She deserves it. And she is only going to get better.

Bare: Your favorite _______ is _______?

• restaurant: Rezdora in NYC

• music: Really into Hermanos Gutierrez at the moment. Or the Soda Stereo Station on Pandora or Spotify.

• director: Jennifer Morrison… as well as PT Anderson. I also watched All the Presidents Men during the pandemic (one of my favorite films now), and then quickly became an Alan Pakula fan.

• grooming/hair product: you introduced me to this Jillian Dempsey pomade, and my hair loved it. So I’m gonna go with that.

My girl Andi, who cuts my hair in LA introduced me to this texture spray called “I Want Body” by Eleven Australia which I really like.

And for a post shower, Jen and I both like the Magic Myst from In Common

• travel destination: I always love going to El Salvador. Touching base with my roots, seeing family and childhood friends.

• clothing store (online or brick mortor)

I struggle with shopping. Going to a store and going into a fitting room is one of my least favorite things to do. I honestly order everything online. And I’m mostly just a jeans and a white or black tee guy.

You introduced me to Cure Thift in NYC, where we did our shoot. That store was incredible!!! It’s the most beautiful thrift experience I’ve ever had. Liz and Nick do an incredible job. I decided that day that Nick should be my style inspiration, that guy has the coolest vibe. Maybe he will take me shopping with him one day!!!!

sorry was this supposed to be two word answers?? Oops

Bare: Can you reveal any current project you are involved or side passions you are spending time on?

GC: I just got to spend a few days working on an HBO show, which I’m really excited about. I’m a big fan of the creative team behind it, and it’s going to be huge. There is something really cool and special happening there, people are going to watch and talk about it. I don’t even know when it comes out. But I’m sure you’ll see it.