Mexican actress Nuria Vegas celebrates the launch of the new season of the series that launched her on American television, the third season of Billy the Kid, a production by Amblin Television in partnership with Amazon MGM+, which premiered on September 28th with weekly episodes. She plays Dulcinea Del Tobosco, a young woman from a noble Mexican family who, after losing her parents to murder, teams up with Billy and plunges into a whirlwind of passion, danger, and betrayal in the Old West.
Based near Mexico City and fluent in both English and Spanish, Vegas takes on a central role in the series, which blends adventure, drama, and romance to reimagine the life of the legendary 19th-century gunslinger.
This is your first production for U.S. television. How was it for you to take this international leap and dive into such an iconic western series?
At first, it was really scary. It felt like a huge responsibility, but I truly believe that things come to us when we’re prepared to take them, so I went for it – and it became one of the most best experiences I’ve ever had.
Getting the chance to do a western, which I consider one of the most iconic genres in cinema, was incredible. Being surrounded not only by breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary costumes, but also by truly amazing people, made everything more fulfilling, easy, and smooth. I learned so much from everyone involved, and as a Mexican actress, I felt deeply honored to have this opportunity.
Dulcinea is described as a character who experiences a whirlwind of emotions – passion, danger, betrayal. How did you approach building this strong, complex woman beyond the usual “hero’s muse” stereotype?
I tried to approach Dulcinea as her own person, not defined by anyone but herself and her experiences. For me, it was about finding her beyond the stereotype and showing that she could be both soft and strong at the same time, with choices that come from a place of character and complexity.
I connected with her through empathy – understanding her without adding my personal judgment and exploring not only the things I loved about her, but also her ffaws, her contradictions, and her survival instincts in a world that had become very hard for her.
Dulcinea and Billy share a powerful and transformative connection. How do you see their bond and the impact it has on the main character’s journey?
I think their bond pushes each of them closer to who they are meant to become. For Billy, I believe Dulcinea represents hope, love, and a glimpse of the possibility of a different life. And for Dulcinea, Billy is a reminder of courage, integrity, and the importance of taking risks in order to do what’s right. Their connection is not only based on love, but also on empathy and growth.
Did you have to go through any special preparation to portray this character in the historical context of the Wild West? Was there anything particularly challenging, whether it was the accent, costume work, or action scenes?
At first, I didn’t know who Billy the Kid was, so I had to dive into his story and really get into the vibe of the Western world to make sure I was historically accurate. I had also never been on a horse before the show, and suddenly I had to play someone who was supposed to be an expert – so learning that was definitely exciting. I feel really lucky I got that experience.
As for the English and the accent, I feel like I grew alongside Dulcinea. It’s been four years since we started the show, and just like her, I’ve been surrounded by amazing English-speaking people, so naturally, I think we both got better at it.
And then… the corsets! Wearing one in almost every scene really made me appreciate breathing… But honestly, I wouldn’t say there were big challenges, because the people on set made everything so much easier. They made me feel comfortable and happy, so what could have felt like challenges just became part of the fun.
Dulcinea’s story involves pain and loss early on. How did you handle those scenes emotionally, and what did they mean to you as an actress?
I was honestly really excited to do those scenes, because those are the moments where I think Dulcinea is shaped and where the audience can truly understand, empathize, and connect with her.
I love the process of reading the scene over and over, and exploring with the director and the other actors how to make the most of it – to create something that feels real, accurate, and honest to what the moment means.
Of course, some days and some scenes were harder than others, because it’s difficult not to relate or rely on personal experiences, but in a way, it’s also very freeing and therapeutic to just surrender and find truth and beauty in those moments.
You are a Mexican actress bringing a character that represents your roots to life in an American series. What does this mean to you in terms of representation and visibility for Latino artists?
I feel very proud of my identity and my culture, and I wanted to honor that through Dulcinea. For me, representation is about showing the world that everyone’s stories, voices, and emotions are just as universal and necessary. I hope that when people see Dulcinea, they also see the strength and richness of Mexican and Latino presence in storytelling.
After such a remarkable debut, what are the next steps for your career? Is there a dream role or a genre you’d love to explore?
I really enjoyed working on a historical period piece, so right now I’d love to explore contemporary or even futuristic and fantasy roles. Book adaptations are especially exciting to me – bringing complex, well-written fictional characters to life would be amazing.
On a personal note, my dream would be to one day work with Guillermo del Toro. I admire how he blends fantasy, depth, and humanity in such a unique way, and as a Mexican actress, it would be an honor to collaborate with him. And of course, I’d love to work with my cast again somehow! We became such a close family, and I’d be thrilled to share the screen with them again in any project.
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