Whenever you worry that your life is getting boring, just remind yourself that at least you don't attend a school for the rich and corrupt in which murder, blackmail and scandal are plausible occurrences and everybody looks like they model when they're not studying. This doesn't mean that we don't love watching drama such as this unfold in Netflix's own smash hit 'Elite', however, nor that we aren't counting down the days until the Spanish teen sensation returns to our screens on the 13th March. In the run-up to the launch of this upcoming series, we sat down with the original trio of Las Encinas, Miguel Bernardeau (Guzmán), Álvaro Rico (Polo) and Arón Piper (Ander) to talk about their most treasured memories from the series, what to expect from season three and whether Omander will get their well-deserved happy ending.
Three seasons in and with a wealth of twist-filled storylines under their belts, we were eager to know how the cast and crew go about maintaining the glamorous yet seedy essence of 'Elite' that launched it into the streaming stratosphere. Álvaro Rico asserted that after two seasons, "I don't think the essence of 'Elite is just going to go away...Those sorts of hormonal and personal changes that the characters are going through because they're teenagers. I don't think we're going to lose that. It's in the DNA of the series".
With the DNA of the series firmly in place, Rico reveals that season three will have a slightly different rhythm and perspective to the previous instalments. "It has an unhurried pace [this season]", the actor explains. "For me personally, I like that more because we're really immersed in the characters".
When it came to the characters themselves, for Miguel Bernardeau's privileged alpha student Guzmán, the actor stresses that this season is a turning point in his character development. "Guzmán has hit this really difficult point in his life because he has to change - it's his turn after everything he's been through", explains the actor. "He's very alone because his pillars...however you want to define those lifelong relationships, they're not there anymore". Speaking of relationships, though Bernardeau was secretive about exactly what this upcoming season will hold, he did reveal that his character and Nadia (Mina El Hammani) will be sharing a storyline once more: "[Guzmán] has to realise who he is and exorcise his inner demons and move past them, and Nadia is part of that journey as always", says Bernardeau. "The storyline I have with Nadia is really beautiful. It's different from all the other seasons, but it's equally beautiful and special".
How Arón Piper sees the end for Omander
Guznadia. Carmuel. 'Elite' has no shortage of couples lighting up the screen with their explosive chemistry but by far the most popular is the romance shared by principal's son Ander and the closeted former drug dealer Omar (Omar Ayuso). The duo have faced their fair share of obstacles and then some over the past two seasons and when asked whether the couple is strong enough so survive the whiplash that undoubtedly comes with so many highs and lows, Arón Piper gets straight to the point: "I think that they're capable of getting past everything, yes. But you'll see". His brief response triggers laughter from his co-stars: "Yeah, yeah, that's perfect", says Bernardeau. "Succint, straightforward". Unfortunately, we have a feeling that Omander's storyline this season will be anything but that.
When it came to how Piper hopes things end up for the couple, he has a little more to say, though is still quite ambiguous in his wishes. "I just don't want their relationship to end. Whether it's dating or friendship or whatever", says the actor. "They end up however they end up, but I want them to be together in one way or another".
Find out about the fate of Omander and all of the Las Encinas crew when 'Elite' returns to Netflix on the 13th March.
