You remember that opening theme, right? That haunting melody that kicked off every episode of Santa Diabla back in 2013? It’s been well over a decade since Santa Martínez first stepped onto our screens, fueled by a thirst for revenge that honestly made us all a little bit nervous for the Cano family. This wasn’t just your average telenovela. It was a dark, twisty psychodrama that leaned heavily into the "diabla" part of its name.
The cast of Santa Diabla wasn't just a group of actors; they were a powerhouse ensemble that managed to make a truly wild plot feel grounded—well, as grounded as a story about faking your identity to ruin a dynasty can be.
Gaby Espino as the Dual-Sided Santa Martínez
Gaby Espino basically carried the weight of the entire show on her shoulders. Playing Santa Martínez (and her alter-ego Amanda Brown) required a level of range that most actors would find exhausting. One minute she’s the grieving widow, the next she’s a cold, calculating strategist. It was brilliant.
Espino was already a massive star when she took the role. She had Más sabe el diablo under her belt, so she knew how to navigate the Telemundo machine. But Santa Diabla felt different. It felt more mature. After the show wrapped, she didn't just fade away. Far from it. Gaby became a mainstay of the Billboard Latin Music Awards, hosting multiple times, and launched her own beauty line. She’s essentially a lifestyle mogul now, though she still pops up in projects like La Suerte de Loli. Honestly, her career trajectory is exactly what you'd expect from a lead who can command that much screen time without breaking a sweat.
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The Men Who Loved (and Feared) Her: Aarón Díaz and Carlos Ponce
The dynamic between the two male leads was the real engine of the show. You had Aarón Díaz playing Santiago Cano—the "good" brother who was actually quite complicated—and Carlos Ponce as Humberto Cano, the man we all loved to hate.
Aarón Díaz brought this sort of rugged, bohemian energy to Santiago. It was a sharp contrast to his previous work in Teresa. Since Santa Diabla, Díaz has done the crossover thing better than most. He landed a role in the ABC thriller Quantico, playing León Velez. It was a big deal at the time because it showed that the cast of Santa Diabla had the chops for mainstream American television. Lately, he’s been leaning more into travel and documentary work, showing off a more personal side of his life.
Then there’s Carlos Ponce.
Ponce is a legend. Period. In this show, he played Humberto with such a slick, menacing charm that you almost rooted for him to get away with it. Almost. Ponce has one of the most diverse resumes in the industry. He’s done voice acting for Rio, appeared in Couples Retreat, and recently starred in the Netflix hit The Five Juanas (La Venganza de las Juanas). He’s the guy who can do comedy, tragedy, and villainy all in the same week.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Spotlight
While the central trio got the posters, the supporting cast of Santa Diabla gave the show its texture. You can't talk about this show without mentioning Ximena Duque.
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Duque played Inés Robledo, and man, was she unhinged. Inés was the kind of character who would do anything to keep Santiago, and Ximena played that desperation with frightening accuracy. Since then, Ximena has largely stepped back from the grueling schedule of daily soaps to focus on her business ventures and family. She’s become a massive influencer in the multi-level marketing and entrepreneurship space, proving there’s a very lucrative life after the "villainess" roles.
And we have to talk about Lincoln Palomeque.
He played Willy Delgado, the husband whose "death" starts the whole mess. Palomeque is a chameleon. If you didn't recognize him here, you definitely saw him later in Señora Acero or as the beloved Leonidas in Café con aroma de mujer. He has this way of playing the "everyman" that makes the high-stakes drama feel a bit more relatable.
A Quick Look at the Cano Family Dynamics
The Cano family was a mess. A beautiful, wealthy, tragic mess.
- Wanda D'Isidoro (Barbara Cano): She brought that classic soap opera "rich girl" energy but with a dark edge.
- Frances Ondiviela (Victoria Colleti): A veteran of the genre who added a layer of prestige to the production.
- Ezequiel Montalt (George Cano): Always reliable for adding tension to the family dinner scenes.
Why the Chemistry Worked (and Why It Still Ranks)
Why are we still talking about the cast of Santa Diabla in 2026? It’s because the chemistry wasn't manufactured. During filming, the set was notorious for being high-energy. Gaby Espino and Aarón Díaz had a natural rapport that made the "Amanda and Santiago" romance feel earned, rather than just a plot point.
The show also benefited from the writing of José Ignacio Valenzuela, also known as "El Chascas." He’s the same mind behind the Netflix phenomenon Who Killed Sara?. If you look closely at the performances in Santa Diabla, you can see the seeds of that high-octane mystery style. The actors weren't just reciting lines; they were playing a game of chess with each other.
The Impact on the Genre
This show was a turning point for Telemundo. It moved away from the traditional "poor girl meets rich boy" trope and leaned into the "telenovela noir" vibe. The cast had to adapt to a faster pace and a darker tone. It paved the way for the "Super Series" era that followed.
What You Should Watch Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic for this specific era of television, or if you just finished a rewatch and need more from these actors, here is where you should go:
- For more Gaby Espino: Watch Jugar con Fuego. It’s a limited series, very steamy, and shows her in a much more provocative role than Santa.
- For more Carlos Ponce: Check out Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix. Yes, it’s a teen show, but he plays a dad and he’s hilarious. It shows his range.
- For more Aarón Díaz: Dive into Tierra de Reyes. It’s more of a traditional novela, but his presence is undeniable.
- For the "Santa Diabla" vibe: You absolutely have to watch Who Killed Sara? on Netflix. Since it's from the same writer, the DNA of the mystery is almost identical.
Final Thoughts on the Legacy of the Cast
The cast of Santa Diabla represents a specific moment in Latin television when the boundaries between "soaps" and "prestige drama" started to blur. They weren't just playing caricatures; they were playing broken people doing terrible things for what they thought were the right reasons.
Most of these actors have moved on to bigger, international stages, but for fans of the genre, they will always be the inhabitants of the Cano mansion. Whether it’s Gaby Espino’s piercing gaze or Carlos Ponce’s crooked villainous smile, the performances remain some of the most memorable in the last twenty years of Spanish-language TV.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check Streaming Availability: As of now, Santa Diabla is frequently available on NBC's Peacock or the Telemundo app. It’s worth a rewatch just to see the foreshadowing in the first ten episodes.
- Follow the Transitions: If you’re interested in the business side of fame, following Ximena Duque or Gaby Espino on social media provides a masterclass in how to transition from acting to entrepreneurship.
- Explore the Writer's Catalog: If the plot was your favorite part, look up José Ignacio Valenzuela’s books. He’s a prolific novelist, and his literary work is just as twisty as his TV scripts.
The world of Santa Martínez was one of shadows and secrets. Even years later, the light hasn't fully faded on the actors who brought that world to life.