Coral Peña On Her New York, The Performance That Moved Her The Most and the New Season of Apple TV’s ‘For All Mankind’
Coral was virtually photographed in Los Angeles by Alison Engstrom; Hair by Bobby Eliot; Makeup by Allan Avendaño; Styling by Thomas Christos Kikis
You were born in the Dominican Republic but were raised in New York City. Would you say growing up in the city had a profound impact on you from a creative standpoint?
It definitely did, although I’m not sure I can fully or properly articulate how. I can’t fully zoom out and see how these things have affected me because it’s all I know; I just walk and think like a New Yorker. It’s a visceral thing.
I have to ask since the city has been through so much over the past year and some, what are your favorite places that you return to over and over again that others should know about and support?
Pre-pandemic I was actually in the midst of trying to solidify my spots in the city. I wasn’t really allowed to fully explore the city on my own until college when I went to NYU, so most of my spots are pretty far from where I grew up, which is kind of nice. I like that I can be at these places and make them my own as an adult. There's this place in Soho called Lupe’s that I used to frequent a lot. It’s got a real hometown diner vibe with great Mexican food, great drinks, but I mostly love that everyone that works there speaks Spanish—feels like home.
During the pandemic, I started to appreciate the places around my apartment in Astoria more. There’s an Italian spot called Gianpiero Bakery that’s so old school and beautiful. You can just tell it’s family owned. Old men smoking cigarettes, drinking espresso, watching soccer. Parents coming by to pick up treats for birthday parties or Christmas. Across the street from Gianpiero is another old school Italian joint, the deli and butcher shop Sorriso. The guys behind the counter always let me try a bunch of different samples. They’re always cracking jokes, it’s really lively, like you walked into someone’s house.
Growing up, was there a performance or production that made a strong impression on you and inspired you to become a performer?
I studied at RADA in London during college. I saw a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream when I was there—at the Globe—that truly blew my mind particularly the actors who played “the Mechanicals.” I’ve always been drawn to more ensemble work, but there was something particularly special about seeing how they all managed to both play off of each other and create individualized characters that were so big, so different from the text. I still think about it almost everyday. I wish I could see them for the first time again.
Was there a synchronistic moment in your career that happened that led to where you are today?
If there was I probably wouldn’t be able to spot it. I’d argue that all things come to us by chance, almost by mistake. As an actor, I don’t fully have control over what roles I get no matter how hard I work, so I’d say my whole career is the product of synchronicity.
Congratulations on joining the new season of ‘For All Mankind’! Can you share more about your character Aleida Rosales, and what you love about playing her the most?
Aleida is wicked smart. Who wouldn’t love playing a genius (laughs)! Above all else, Aleida is complex and imperfect, and that’s what makes her so special to play. It’s rare to be a part of a project that puts so much thought into everything—every character, every storyline. It’s exciting.
What can viewers expect from your role and the plot from the new season?
With the season finale having just aired, now I’m the one looking forward to hearing what viewers expect! I’m really curious to hear what fans are thinking and speculating about for Aleida’s next steps. It’s a truly delightful aspect of this show—how time jumps and moves so rapidly. It provides so many opportunities for character development and surprises.
Are you at all curious about what is beyond earth in outer space and if you had the opportunity would you go?
I am insanely curious, but horribly frightened by it all at the same time. I don’t think I could handle leaving Earth on a mental level. Plus, I get terrible motion sickness.
What’s been one of the most exciting moments so far in your career?
I always answer this question the same way, but it’s the truth—getting to be a part of The Post. I got to work with Steven Spielberg, Meryl Steep, and Tom Hanks, yes, but I also got to work with Carrie Coon, Tracy Letts, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Bruce Greenwood. People I aspire to be like not just as actors but as people on and off set. I really admire the screenwriter, Liz Hannah, too. It was just such an incredible all-around experience.
When it comes to your career, what’s a dream role or script you would love to appear in?
I’m just happy to work. The work is the dream and the reward for good work is more work. And I hope that I continue to have the privilege to do what I love with people who have the same fire and passion that I try to have.
What has been one thing you have been surprised to learn about yourself as you grown and evolve in your career?
It’s always interesting to find out where you hold tension, where you feel like you’re holding back, or where you’re emotionally stuck behind a wall. Every time I make a breakthrough as an actor, it’s because I’m doing the difficult personal work so I’m not getting in my own way. In that regard, I’ve learned a lot.
Can you share what else you have coming down the pipeline?
We are currently filming Season 3 of For All Mankind. So far, every new season jumps about ten years into the future— it will be exciting to share with the audience how much can happen in these next ten.