Many Faces of a Killer: Ivana Baquero on Playing the Chameleonic Maje in Netflix's "La Viuda Negra"

The lead actress of La Viuda Negra (A Widow's Game in english) talks about her transformation into Valencia's most notorious killer for the Netflix film: "She would be a great actress. Chamaleonic, magnetic, and with many personalities. She fooled many people".

From award-winning child star at age 12 in Pan’s Labyrinth to stepping into the shoes of one of Spain’s most disturbing and well-known killers. Ivana Baquero (Barcelona, 1994) speaks with LAS PROVINCIAS ahead of the premiere of La Viuda Negra, the Netflix drama based on the crime committed by Maje — the young woman who, in 2017, ended her husband's life in a deadly pact with her lover Salva in the Patraix neighborhood of Valencia. The actress thoroughly prepared: reading reports, analyzing the killer’s every move in court, and spending countless hours listening to police wiretaps to study Maje’s voice and get into character.

How do you feel ahead of the premiere?

Very excited. Also, since I hadn’t worked in Spain for a little while, coming back with a project like this — with Netflix and Bambú Producciones — thrills me. I’m hoping it’s warmly received.

Do you enjoy true crime, or do you prefer other genres?

I do consume it. I like it and find it interesting — even quite educational at times. When I was offered this project, it really caught my attention. Especially with Ramón Campos (producer and writer) involved — he does amazing research for all his work. That was a major draw.

How did you discover the details of this crime?

I didn’t know about it beforehand. Once I got the opportunity to play the role, I started researching. I think it was good that I could learn about it on my own terms and absorb the information at my own pace to really understand the story and what they were aiming for. Since this is a fictional film, not a documentary, I wanted to let the script guide me a lot.

How did you feel when you found out you'd be playing Maje?

Lucky to be part of a project like this and to work with actors like Tristán Ulloa (Salva) and Carmen Machi (Eva), who are important names in the Spanish film industry — and even international cinema. I knew working with them would raise my own performance. I was really eager to take on the challenge and learn as much as I could. Meeting them turned out to be even better than I expected — they’re incredibly generous colleagues.

The film tries to unravel two lovers who are murderers. Whose behavior puzzled you more, hers or Salva’s?

Probably Salva. People can form their own judgments — I try not to judge what happened, but as an actor, you have to step into the mind of your character without moral bias to tell the story authentically. I experienced Salva’s part more from the outside, but it may be the one that shocked me — and may shock viewers — the most. Reaching those extremes seems unbelievable in someone who appears normal.

How did you get into character? Ramón Campos mentioned using a lot of archive material from LAS PROVINCIAS and other sources...

Yes, absolutely. Ramón is an amazing researcher and gave us tons of material — articles, documentaries, and especially audio recordings. In my case, we wanted to really capture Maje’s essence, particularly her voice, which is one of the most striking parts of the case due to the nature of the wiretaps and how they were portrayed in the media.

How much time did you spend listening to her?

I wouldn't even be able to quantify it. At the gym, instead of music, I’d listen to Maje’s recordings. Same when I’d go for a walk. I was working on another project when they confirmed I’d be part of La Viuda Negra, and I became obsessed. After filming each day, I’d come home and play Maje’s audios. So many hours of work — but I had time, months of preparation, which is a luxury. It really let me dive deeply into the story.

Of all the countless wiretap recordings, which one impacted you the most?

Oh... there are many, and some are really striking. But there’s one — it’s not even the words she uses, but how Maje expresses herself in a conversation with Salva (when she suspects her lover may have talked to the police). She lets out a “¿qué dices?” (“what are you saying?”) from deep within, with an intensity that’s not characteristic of her. It shocked me how that phrase came out so raw and visceral — you can feel the fear of being caught, of being unmasked.

What was the hardest part? The biggest challenge.

Nothing was particularly draining. I’m used to working in TV, so it actually felt short. I learned a lot and will always carry it in my heart as something very different from what I’ve done before. If I had to name a challenge, it would be portraying a real person — someone who’s still alive.

Would you have liked to speak with the killer to get to know her better?

I didn’t get the opportunity, and I never considered it. I think that was for the best, because I didn’t want too much outside noise. We were making a fictional film, and I chose to be guided by those who had done the investigative work and knew exactly what they needed from me.

Did you visit the Patraix neighborhood or Novelda, the hometown of the killer and her victim?

No, we didn’t go there. Filming in the real locations was never on the table. We were in Valencia, yes, but it happened to coincide with a major storm (DANA), so access to certain areas was very limited.

Honestly, would you want Maje to see the film, or would it be better if she didn’t?

I suppose she’ll see it at some point. I don’t know if they have Netflix in prison. I haven’t really thought about it.

Is it daunting to portray someone who is alive, convicted, and in prison?

My responsibility is purely narrative. I don’t think about it. If you focus on those things, you end up not doing the job you’re supposed to do — which is to tell the story on screen. It was a conscious decision not to give too much weight to all that external noise.

You’ve studied law and listened to Maje during her trial — including her lies. Is she a good actress?

Yes. She’s chameleonic and magnetic. And she has so many personalities, depending on who she’s interacting with... I think she managed to deceive a lot of people. For me, as an actress, that was interesting to explore because it gave me the chance to portray multiple people within one character.

Beyond the unfortunate timing with the storm, how did you experience Valencia during your stay? Is it a good city for filmmaking?

I had never been before. It’s a beautiful place. I hope I can come back and visit it properly. Given the context of the film, I didn’t have much time to explore or relax. I was very focused on what we were doing.

(c) Interview by Las Provincias

Translation by Ivana Baquero Italia.