Right off the bat, the new hit Netflix show Who Killed Sara? sets the stage for mystery with an Agatha Christie quote: "Very few of us are what we seem." Pulled into a scene of carefree summer partying, we then watch a group of teenagers swig tequila and dance to "Livin' la Vida Loca" on a boat in the sunshine, captured on an early 2000s camcorder. One of the teens, Sara, gets strapped into a life jacket and hoisted up on a parasail. Off she goes, whooping and yelling, "Love you!" as she flies above the glimmering water.
This is how they do it: ¿Quién mató a Sara? disarms its audience, suspends us in a moment where everything seems pleasantly perfect and full of possibility, only to send us reeling along with the characters when we see that first close-up on the fraying parachute straps. Sara's brother, Alex, pleads with his friend Rodolfo to stop the boat, seeing Sara in distress. Rodolfo speeds up, and we watch Sara plunge slow-motion into the depths. All of this to say—this isn't your typical whodunit. (Spoilers follow for the first two episodes.)
Eighteen years later, Alex is released from prison, having been framed for his sister's murder. The powerful Lazcano family betrayed Alex to save their son Rodolfo, who was dating Sara at the time (and strapped her into the parachute). Alex, filled with a sadness that's sharpened to pure, adrenaline-fueled rage, vows to get revenge on the Lazcano family and find out who, exactly, killed Sara. Who Killed Sara? is the ideal soapy, twisty crime-revenge thriller to keep you company on a slow night, and its cast of characters will have you second-guessing your predictions for who's truly responsible. Some of the cast may look familiar from their roles on popular shows like Narcos, while others are lesser known (all the better for a mystery show). Here's what you need to know about the cast of Who Killed Sara? on Netflix.
Manolo Cardona as Alex Guzmán
Cardona plays Alex, whose sister Sara died in what first appeared to be a tragic parasailing accident. When Alex is betrayed by his friend Rodolfo and the powerful Lazcano family, he vows to exact his revenge and find out who really murdered his sister. Fans will recognize the actor from his role in the first two seasons of Narcos and popular Columbian series El Cartel.
Alejandro Nones as Rodolfo Lazcano
Nones plays Rodolfo, Sara's boyfriend and second-in-command of the Lazcano family. When we meet Rodolfo in present day, he's about to take over as CEO of his father's casino and resort. Nones has previously acted in Mexican telenovelas like Lola, érase una vez.
Ximena Lamadrid as Sara Guzmán
As the titular Sara, actress Ximena Lamadrid appears in flashbacks, dream sequences, and visions throughout the show. Lamadrid is an early-career actress who's had small roles in films like Sofia Coppola's On The Rocks.
Carolina Miranda as Elisa Lazcano
Miranda plays Elisa, the young Lazcano daughter who returns from her studies to find her family embroiled in accusations over Sara's death. Elisa, kept in the dark by her family, sets out to learn the truth about Alex. The actress is known for her roles on Mexican telenovelas like Las Bravo and Señora Acero.
Eugenio Siller as Chema Lazcano
Siller plays Chema, another son in the Lazcano family, who was there on the boat the day Sara died and has camcorder footage of the events. Chema clashes with his father, who will not accept Chema's sexuality. He and his partner, Lorenzo, are starting a family. The actor has had many starring roles in telenovelas in Mexico such as Rebelde and Al Diablo con los Guapos.
Fatima Molina as Clara
Molina plays Clara, the surrogate mother of Chema and Lorenzo's son. The actress is perhaps best known for her roles in Telemundo La Dona and the film I Dream in Another Language.
Ginés García Millán and Claudia Ramírez as Cesar and Mariana Lazcano
Millán and Ramírez star as the patriarch and matriarch of the powerful Lazcano family, who will stop at nothing to protect themselves. Both have had long acting careers; Millán is a Spanish actor who has had roles in many television and theater productions, and Ramírez is known for her many television roles.
