Kevin Alejandro : Latina

TNT’s police drama Southland offers Mexican American actor Kevin Alejandro an opportunity to play “super hero” Detective Nate Moretta. We spoke to the actor about the current season ofSouthland, how Latinos are portrayed on the show and even got a little True Blood dish! Here’s what he had to say:

We are very excited with this third season of Southland. What should we expect in the coming weeks for your character, Detective Moretta?

First of all, you get to see my family. They’re doing a really good job in making it character-driven, so you get attached to all of us and go on a journey with us. There’s a lot of stuff that’s happening this season, a lot of really great and interesting stories that are going on. I can’t tell you much, but you have that to look forward to. You will definitely be entertained!

The majority of the criminal characters in Southland are Latino or Black. What’s up with that?

The good thing about Southland is that we take stories from real police officers and real detectives. We fabricate a little bit to make the entertainment part of it come through but most of the stories that you see are true. We are basically taking these stories and redoing them for our audiences. We never really pay attention specifically to who’s this and who’s that. It’s what’s relevant right now, and it’s what’s going on in the world. That’s what we’re hitting on, and it just happens to be, you know, that.

What’s something about your character that you enjoy the most in portraying this detective?

Just how real he is, and the fact that he’s a family man. He’s just someone that I can relate to because I do have a family myself. What I love about it is getting to play hero for a few hours a week. You know what I’m saying. Ultimately, all police officers and detectives have become heroes to me. It’s like I get to play a super hero.

Changing gears a little, can we expect Jesus Velazquez to be back to True Bloodnext season?

Absolutely! Jesus is definitely back. It’s kind of a big season for myself, as well. I’m a witch and this is the season of the witches. I think it’s called the Witches Reign. You’ll see a lot of me. We pick up where we leave off with that true True Blood style. It’s sexy, mysterious, and all kinds of fun.

I’m really fortunate. I’m having a great year. I have two really great, amazing shows that I’m part of, you know, Southland and True Blood. Fortunately, I get to do both of them, and not a lot of people get to do that.