WhileTrinidad Gonzálezmay not be a household name just yet, she’s quickly becoming one to watch. The actress has captivated audiences in the gripping Netflix seriesThe Secret of the River, in which she manages to bring depth and intensity to a character shrouded in mystery. The 2024 show centers on Sicarú, a transgender woman who returns to the Mexican town of Oaxacan to find that the place is full of secrets. Like her character, González is transgender in real life.
The Secret of the River’s premise is already gripping, but González’s performance is its most enthralling aspect. The actress has spent years honing her craft on stage and screen, quietly building a resumé that reflects her dedication and undeniable talent. Now, withThe Secret of the Riversparking global buzz, it feels like the perfect moment for her star to rise.
Trinity González’s Background
She Got Her Start As A Model
Standing at 6'1", González began her career as a model in her native Mexico. In 2019, she moved from Mexico to London so that she could fully immerse herself in modeling. There, González has made the switch from modeling to acting while she was also working on transitioning from male to female.
In 2022, she was having issues finding modeling work but was soon presented with the script forThe Secret of the River(viaThe Direct). She was initially captivated bythe story because it takes place in a town similar to the one where she grew up in in Mexico. In an interview withThem, González detailed how she felt about the Oaxacan backdrop present inThe Secret of the River:
“Both [Macultepec and Oaxaca] are deeply Catholic and conservative, not an easy place for a queer person to thrive.”
González Plays Sicarú In The Secret Of The River
She Brings Authenticity To The Role
Trinidad González made her television debut asthe lead character inThe Secret of the River, which also serves as her first acting credit. In the acclaimed drama, González plays the older version of Manuel, who goes by Sicarú. After meeting Indigenous Zapotec people who are known as muxes who identify as a third gender, Manuel soon realizes that he is a woman. From there, the character transitions from male to female and from Manuel to Sicarú.Sicarú returns to Oaxaca and reunites with her father, only to find out that they both have more secrets than meets the eye.
González, being anactual transgender actor playing a transgender character, does an excellent job bringing the complicated role of Sicarú to life. Her experience is felt in every heartfelt gesture, every sincere look on her face. Viewers can feel from her deeply nuanced and detailed performance that this role is exceptionally important to González.
She Has Many Aspirations
While Trinidad González’s next move in the entertainment industry isn’t clear, she certainly wants to return to continue acting.She is also interested in further pursuing fashion and LGBTQ+ advocacy through her work.Specifically, she has discussed creating a fashion line that speaks to her transgender experience. In an interview withAestetica, González discussed fashion in her life:
“Fashion has always been my way of speaking without words…But now I want to use my voice, too.”
Regarding her acting career, González is interested in tackling complex characters that delve into the depths and pain of the human experience. She’s also not against taking comedic roles. The actress said:
“Roles that make me question myself, that make me grow…Life is hard enough, we all need to laugh more.”
The Secret of the Rivercertainly won’t be the last audiences will see ofTrinidad González. No matter what project she tackles next, her compelling performance in the Netflix serieswill stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
