Esther Acebo

Academic Training Versus Television by Chance

Esther Acebo wasn't seeking international fame when she enrolled at the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Her plan was to pursue Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. But television crossed her path before she could work as a teacher or coach. She started out as a presenter on Disney Channel children's programs and then moved into news on channels such as Non-Stop People.

She spent years in front of a teleprompter keeping pace with live broadcasts. That stage gave her a level of experience many drama-school actors take decades to gain. Live TV allows no room for error, and Acebo learned to master her nerves under the studio lights in Madrid.

No one expected what would come next.

In 2017, she landed the role of Mónica Gaztambide in the series La Casa de Papel. On paper, her character was just another hostage inside the Royal Mint of Spain. But the plot's evolution required her to work through a deep psychological transformation that ended with the birth of Stockholm.

The Risk of Getting Stuck in the Red Jumpsuit

Her move from production to Netflix multiplied her exposure exponentially. The actress had to manage a follower count that reached millions within just a few months. And although the success was clear, she chose not to leave theater behind, in order to stay sharp with the purest form of acting.

In 2018, she starred in the play Anestesiadas under the direction of José Recuenco. That was a clear statement of intent. She did not want to be just the face of a global phenomenon. She sought out texts that would let her explore registers far from the action and suspense of the heists.

Spanish industry saw her in a new light back then.

In 2022, she took part in the film Jaula, produced by Álex de la Iglesia. It was a supporting role in a psychological thriller that performed well at the box office and on streaming platforms. That same year she gave birth to her daughter, and the actress decided to space out her public appearances to focus on raising her child. There were no major marketing campaigns or exclusives about her private life.

Huelva and the Espionage of the 1940s

Spanish public television turned to her again for a big-budget project. In 2024, Operación Barrio Inglés premiered, with her playing Miss Bell. It is a spy drama set in Huelva during World War II. The shoot required a major technical effort across real locations in Andalusia and Portugal.

And the gamble paid off.

She was also part of the cast of the comedy Lost in Rio in 2023. This project allowed her to move away from historical drama and the constant tension of her previous work. Acebo now prefers to choose projects that let her balance her personal life with shoots that don't stretch on for too many months in a row.

In 2024, the series Operación Barrio Inglés wrapped its first season with an average audience share of 5.8% in its linear broadcast on La 1.