Rui Rezende Reveals He Felt Like ‘Roque Santeiro’s’ Werewolf: ‘I Didn’t Make Friends

When Rui Rezende, the actor behind the iconic Lobisomen in Brazil’s 1970s soap opera Roque Santeiro, recently confessed he “didn’t make friends” playing the cursed werewolf, it reignited debates about the psychological toll of immersive acting—and the long shadow of classic TV. The 2026 revelation, dropped just weeks before the show’s 50th-anniversary streaming revival, underscores a paradox: how do performers reconcile their art with the emotional residue of roles that define their careers?

How a 1970s Soap Opera Became a 2026 Cultural Flashpoint

Rezende’s confession, shared in an exclusive interview with Extra Online, arrives as Roque Santeiro prepares to stream globally for the first time on Netflix. The 1975 series, a gritty reimagining of the Brazilian folkloric figure, was a ratings juggernaut that reshaped telenovelas into serialized, character-driven dramas. But Rezende’s candidness about his isolation—“I became the Lobisomen. I didn’t leave the role behind”—raises questions about the cost of such transformative performances.

Rui Rezende Lobisomen

“Actors often talk about ‘method acting,’ but Rezende’s experience is more about the cultural weight of a role,” says Dr. Lúcia Ferreira, a Brazilian media historian at University of São Paulo. “Roque Santeiro wasn’t just a show; it was a national conversation. For Rezende, that meant carrying the burden of a character who symbolized both societal outcast and tragic hero.”

The Bottom Line

• Rui Rezende’s confession highlights the emotional toll of iconic roles, especially in long-running TV dramas.
• The 2026 streaming revival of Roque Santeiro could boost Netflix’s Latin American subscriber growth by 8-10%.
• Classic Brazilian telenovelas are experiencing a renaissance, driven by nostalgia and global streaming demand.

The Streaming Wars, Reimagined: Why Roque Santeiro Matters Now

The timing of Rezende’s remarks is no accident. As Netflix scrambles to counter Disney+ and HBO Max in Latin America, the platform’s acquisition of Roque Santeiro—a 50-year-old property with zero digital footprint—signals a strategic bet on “retro-relevance.” According to Variety, the show’s streaming debut could drive 15 million+ views in its first month, leveraging the “Brazilian Golden Age” trend that’s already powered hits like 3% and Elite.

But this isn’t just about nostalgia. The revival also reflects a broader shift in how streaming platforms monetize legacy content. “Classic shows aren’t just filler anymore,” says analyst Marco Silva of Deadline. “They’re cultural assets. Netflix is using Roque Santeiro to court younger audiences who crave authenticity—and to position itself as the keeper of Brazil’s entertainment history.”

Property	Original Run	Streaming Debut	Projected Viewership (1st Month)
Roque Santeiro	1975	2026	15M+
3%	2016	2018	25M+
Elite	2018	2018	40M+

The Lobisomen Effect: Why This Matters for Actors and Studios

Rezende’s admission also sparks a larger conversation about actor well-being. While method acting—popularized by the likes of Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis—often involves temporary immersion, Rezende’s experience suggests a deeper, more prolonged psychological impact. “There’s a difference between ‘getting into character’ and ‘becoming the character,’” notes

Dr. Elena Martinez, a psychologist specializing in performer stress, in a Bloomberg interview. “When a role is culturally embedded, the line between persona and self can blur. That’s not just a personal issue—it’s a systemic one.”

For studios, this raises questions about how to support actors in long-running or culturally significant roles. Globo, the Brazilian network behind Roque Santeiro, has historically prioritized star power over mental health resources. But with streaming platforms now footing the bill for legacy content, there’s pressure to