I first came across Ismael Cruz-Córdova in one of the seasons of Ray Donovan. While flipping through the TV stations—a primitive precursor to streaming—I stumbled upon piercing icy green eyes that can simultaneously melt your heart and set a forest on fire. It was a face that commanded attention. There was a vulnerability to his fierceness and an air of introspection and raptness I found compelling. I had to keep watching; his performance was commanding—I was hooked. However, I was baffled as to why I had not seen this actor before. I soon learned that five years prior, in 2011, he had a recurring role in The Good Wife, followed by a role in Sesame Street in 2013 that lasted two years, and the following year he booked Ray Donovan. But why weren’t entertainment industry people seeing what I was seeing? Why was this actor underused? Here is an exceptional talent with modern Hollywood heartthrob good looks and a commanding screen presence, and as an Afro-Latino he represents a large percentage of our North American viewing audience. This guy is a slam dunk. But like all good things, Cruz-Córdova’s breakthrough has been well worth the wait.

After Ray Donovan came the film Mary Queen of Scots, followed by the memorable role of Qin in The Mandalorian, and who didn’t watch The Undoing? But it looks like 2022 is finally the year industry people caught on. Ismael Cruz-Córdova has broken the color barrier by being the first non-white elf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings universe as the Silvan elf Arondir. He will also be seen in the much-anticipated Guillermo del Toro horror streaming series, Cabinet of Curiosities.

I had the fortune to meet the actor when I photographed him for this story. He brought his mother to set and they presented me with a bottle of wine. Thoughtful gestures reveal so much. The following interview is a humbling and inspiring example of the classic Hollywood dream, the struggle that happens behind the smoke and mirrors, the turmoil that creates fighters, and the love that makes it all worthwhile.