Spanish pop icon Pablo Alborán is trading the recording studio for the ER—and he’s already raising heart rates.
The Grammy-nominated singer is officially joining the cast of Netflix’s hit Spanish-language medical drama Breathless (Respira) for its highly anticipated second season. With Elite star Manu Ríos returning to lead the series, producers are dialing up the drama—and the thirst—by casting Alborán in a role that marks his first-ever on-screen acting gig.
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From Pop Charts to Plastic Surgery
Alborán, 35, is no stranger to the spotlight. With six studio albums under his belt and over two dozen Latin Grammy nominations, he’s long been a household name in the music world. Now, he’s diving headfirst into scripted television with a role that will have fans doing double takes.
Netflix teased his involvement back in December with a cryptic photo of the “Solamente Tú” singer suited up in hospital scrubs. Now, it’s been revealed that Alborán will portray an emergency room plastic surgeon at the fictional Joaquín Sorolla Public Hospital—a character who, naturally, gets caught up in the series’ signature mix of medical emergencies and steamy drama.
In an interview with Billboard, Alborán admitted he was both thrilled and stunned by the opportunity.
“Acting has always intrigued me, but I had never taken the leap,” he said. “When I was offered the role, my family couldn’t believe it. ‘Are you sure?’ they asked. I was asking myself the same thing.”
Behind the Scenes With Manu & Pablo
Filming has officially wrapped on Season 2, and Alborán gave fans a sneak peek into his experience on set with a carousel of behind-the-scenes photos shared to Instagram. One photo, featuring a smoldering moment alongside co-star Manu Ríos, sent fans into a frenzy.
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“The face. The brows. The scruff. This is a medical emergency!” one fan joked online.
The singer-turned-actor also posed with cast members including Xoán Fórneas, Najwa Nimri, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Alfonso Bassave, Borja Luna, and Blanca Suárez. “Thank you ❤️ #Breathe2,” Alborán captioned the post.
Real-Life Prep for a Fictional Role
To get into character, Alborán immersed himself in the medical world by shadowing real doctors and observing surgeries. The experience, he said, resonated deeply with him.
“I had just gone through a very difficult situation with a family member’s health,” he shared. “Being surrounded by doctors allowed me to see things from a different perspective. It all came together to bring more authenticity to the character.”
Pablo Alborán no set da 2T de #Respira ❤️ pic.twitter.com/COK4iBuWVe
— Respira Netflix (@respiranetflix) April 7, 2025
While specific details about his character’s romantic entanglements—or sexual orientation—haven’t been revealed, fans are already buzzing with speculation. With Breathless known for its steamy subplots and queer-forward storytelling, hopes are high for more LGBTQ+ representation on screen.
Breathless—and Booked
Though filming has ended, Alborán isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Just two weeks ago, he released “Clickbait,” the first single from his upcoming album due in November, and he’s already mapping out a 2026 world tour.
“I am very sad that filming is over, but I will take away unforgettable moments in my heart,” he wrote in a heartfelt goodbye to cast and crew.
As for when Season 2 of Breathless will hit Netflix? That premiere date remains under wraps. But with Pablo Alborán scrubbing in alongside Manu Ríos, one thing’s certain—viewers are in for a pulse-raising second season.
