Diego Calva: Biography, Notable Roles, and Career Highlights

Born in Mexico City on March 16, 1992, Diego Calva Hernández emerged from modest film-school beginnings—and now, his trajectory reads like a textbook on perseverance and audacious talent. Raised amid the bustle of Mexico’s capital, Calva cut his teeth at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica studying directing and screenwriting. Back then, he picked up odd jobs as a caterer, set dresser, boom-mic operator, and production assistant—tasks that taught him the true, gritty mechanics of filmmaking and grounded him in the reality behind the camera .

Beyond the technical craft, there’s a subtle unpredictability and humility to his career—even now, he admits to dancing with discomfort when roles conflict with his values, revealing rare introspection for a rising star.

Early Career and Breakthroughs

Starting in short films—his debut in Ficción around 2013—Calva gradually built a portfolio that reflected both range and depth . His big breakthrough came in 2015 with I Promise You Anarchy (Te prometo anarquía), an independent feature shot under Julio Hernández Cordón, which premiered at Locarno and screened at TIFF. His performance earned a shared Best Lead Actor award at the Havana Film Festival that same year .

This role marked a turning point: from working small gigs behind the scenes, he moved confidently into the spotlight—showing what happens when talent meets tenacity, even if success sometimes feels loosely tethered to luck and the right timing.

Establishing Versatility: Television Highlights

Calva’s television work added layers to his growing profile. In 2021, he joined Narcos: Mexico as Arturo Beltrán Leyva—portraying a notorious drug lord across six episodes . Yet, he later expressed discomfort with how the show glamorized narco culture, stating it included “a lot of lies” and emphasizing that his country needs fewer outlaw myths .

Beyond that, he stars in the Netflix adaptation Prison Cell 211 (a Mexican remake of Celda 211), which premiered in 2025. In it, he plays Juan Olvera, a human rights attorney trapped in a prison riot, forced to survive by faking membership among inmates—and in interviews, he describes the emotional transformation his character undergoes as profoundly challenging .

Pivotal Role in Babylon: Hollywood’s New Engine

The year 2022 was transformative: Calva landed the pivotal role of Manny Torres in Damien Chazelle’s Babylon, starring alongside Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie . Chazelle discovered Calva through a headshot and was drawn to the dreamer’s gaze—it led to a Zoom audition, and then Calva moved into Chazelle’s backyard “summer camp” rehearsals for a transformative ten-day grind of scenes with the director and producer wife, Olivia Hamilton .

It wasn’t just casting—it was initiation into sprawling set pieces with hundreds of extras, horses, explosions—Calva described stepping onto that set like “seeing a film crew shooting a film crew shooting a movie” . His natural presence and poetic restraint anchored the film’s frenetic pace.

That performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in the 2023 awards season . His portrayal channeled silent-era determination and aesthetic, with fans and critics noting how the role allowed him to embody Latino pioneers, disrupting old stereotypes with dignity and subtle power .

“Sometimes that kind of silence is way more threatening,” he’d later reflect on playing a villain in The Night Manager, revealing how he leans into quiet intensity to communicate volatility .

Recent and Upcoming Projects: Sustaining Momentum

The wave of opportunity continued. In 2023, he appeared in Bird Box Barcelona, a Netflix spin-off emphasizing survival horror, where he played Octavio . The following year brought On Swift Horses, a romantic drama starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Will Poulter, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he played a supporting—but memorable—role .

Calva’s trajectory also includes The Night Manager (season two in 2026), where he portrays Eduardo “Teddy” Dos Santos—delivering a nuanced villain marked by quiet menace and compelling stillness . Recently, he wrapped projects like Her Private Hell, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, and his performance in On Swift Horses drew attention not just for its emotional honesty but for a playful reflection on the physical dynamics of acting alongside a tall counterpart, Jacob Elordi .

A Human Perspective: Values, Heritage, and Artistic Identity

A throughline in Calva’s career is his commitment to authenticity. He has steered away from one-dimensional depictions of Mexican identity, choosing roles that offer complexity. In interviews, he’s underscored the importance of feeling safe on set in order to explore deeply and creatively—and credits trust in collaborators for his artistic freedom .

He also worries that his Hollywood success might make Latin American directors hesitate to cast him—yet he remains committed to bridging both worlds, hoping to stay part of Latin cinema even as his international profile grows .

Conclusion

Diego Calva’s journey—through film school, odd production jobs, early indie work, to Hollywood’s glare—reads like a masterclass in resilience. His choices reveal a thoughtful actor who measures opportunity by both craft and conscience. As he continues to oscillate between global projects and authentically rooted roles, he embodies an increasingly confident generation of Mexican performers shaping international storytelling. His path suggests not just rising fame, but evolving integrity.

FAQs

What is Diego Calva best known for?

He first gained wide recognition for his role as Manny Torres in Babylon (2022), earning a Golden Globe nomination. Earlier, he appeared in Narcos: Mexico as Arturo Beltrán Leyva and starred in independently acclaimed I Promise You Anarchy .

What was the actor’s breakout film?

His lead performance in I Promise You Anarchy (2015), screened at Locarno and TIFF, landed him Best Lead Actor at the Havana Film Festival—marking his shift from technical work to starring roles .

How did Diego Calva prepare for Babylon?

He lived with Damien Chazelle and producer Olivia Hamilton for intensive rehearsals, including backyard “summer camp” sessions, before stepping onto the expansive Hollywood set with hundreds of extras, setting the tone for a demanding yet revelatory shoot .

Has he received awards recognition?

Yes—Calva won Best Lead Actor at Havana Film Festival in 2015 and was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in Babylon in 2023 .

What upcoming or recent works has he been involved in?

Recent highlights include On Swift Horses (2023), Bird Box Barcelona (2023), and a role in The Night Manager (2026). He’s also worked on Her Private Hell with Nicolas Winding Refn .

How does Calva approach cultural representation?

He actively resists stereotypical portrayals of Latino culture, seeking roles that allow rich, authentic human stories. His criticism of Narcos: Mexico reflects his commitment to how his country’s stories are told—and his belief that roles should honor truth over sensationalism .