Manu Ríos is headed from high school drama to high-stakes suspense.
The Spanish actor, best known for his breakout role as Patrick Blanco Commerford in Netflix’s hit teen series Élite, has officially joined the cast of Day Drinker, an upcoming thriller from Lionsgate — and he’s in very good company.
From Netflix Favorite to Hollywood Thriller
Directed by The Amazing Spider-Man’s Marc Webb, Day Drinker follows the story of a private yacht bartender whose casual gig takes a dark and dangerous turn after an encounter with a mysterious guest on board. The thriller promises a twisty descent into the criminal underworld — with unexpected connections, deadly secrets, and a web of intrigue that no one sees coming.
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While the exact details of Ríos’ character remain under wraps (and under tight security, we assume), the 26-year-old actor couldn’t hide his excitement. He took to his Instagram Story to share a quick but heartfelt message: “Honoured and happy to be part of this.”
And honestly, same. Because this cast is stacked.
An A-List Cast at Sea
Ríos is joining a high-profile lineup that includes Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline in the role of the yacht’s bartender — likely the film’s central protagonist — along with Johnny Depp, who’s set to play the mysterious guest that sets the story in motion.
Also on board (literally and figuratively) is Penélope Cruz, who will portray the powerful and dangerous criminal figure that the characters get entangled with.
If that wasn’t exciting enough, Day Drinker will also serve as a mini-Élite reunion. Arón Piper, who played Ander Muñoz in the Netflix series, is confirmed to appear in the thriller alongside Ríos. No word yet on whether their characters will be friends or foes, but fans are already buzzing about seeing them share the screen again.
Filming in Spain, Vibes International
Day Drinker is currently filming in Spain — a fitting backdrop for a story centered around luxury yachts, mysterious intrigue, and international drama. While the release date is still under wraps, production appears to be moving quickly, so fans won’t have to wait too long to see Ríos in action.
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Ríos’ Rise Continues
It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Manu Ríos, who continues to make waves beyond his Élite roots. The actor is also starring in My Dearest Señorita, a modern reimagining of the 1972 Spanish classic. While details on the remake are still emerging, early buzz suggests the project will allow Ríos to flex his range in more nuanced and emotional storytelling.
He’s also returning as Biel de Felipe in Netflix’s hit Spanish medical drama Breathless (Respira), which premiered in August 2024. The series dives into the fast-paced world of an overworked emergency room staff at the fictional Joaquín Sorolla Hospital. It combines high-stakes medicine with emotional drama — and yes, a fair amount of romantic tension, too.
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According to Netflix, the show’s upcoming season will address growing tensions in Spain’s public health system, leading to an “unprecedented and drastic strike.” So if Day Drinker doesn’t give Ríos enough drama, Breathless certainly will.
The ensemble cast includes Najwa Nimri, Blanca Suárez, Borja Luna, Ana Rayo, and Alfonso Bassave — making it one of Spain’s most-watched dramas of the year.
With Day Drinker in the works and multiple Netflix projects underway, Manu Ríos is making it clear: his star is only just beginning to rise. Keep your eyes peeled — and your yacht docks ready — for his next big-screen appearance.
