Paloma Cinco, Sister of Cristo Fernández, Talks ‘Ted Lasso’ Appearance

SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major plot points from the latest episode of Apple TV‘s Ted Lasso, “Richmond’s Got Talent.”

On tonight’s episode of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, all hell breaks loose during a press conference where a “secret” report created by Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), a risk management assessment of the Lady Greyhounds, was leaked to the press. Both Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Leslie were behind it, leaving Keeley (Juno Temple) standing clueless when asked about said report by the attending media.

All is well behind them the following morning, as trials for new additions to the team kicked off with many interested ladies attending the tryouts. Among them is a Latina, whose name is Maria Rojas, played by Paloma Cinco. Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), who is working the sign-in desk, asks the new character for her name.

He catches the last name and asks instantly, “Rojas, as in Dani Rojas (Cristo Fernádez)?” He is, of course, referring to the A.F.C. Richmond player of Mexican descent, whose catchphrase is “Football is Life.” She responds, “Yes, he is my brother. He taught me everything I know.”

Beard gives her the No. 14 to wear for the competition [the number Dani wears on his jersey], and she moves it along with a huge smile on her face. As she walks away, Beard quietly cheers and writes the word “Striker” next to her name with an exclamation point and many underlines below it. Could their search for a new Lady Greyhound be over just like that? He runs over to tell Ted (Jason Sudeikis) the good news, and both are equally excited and hopeful.

Unfortunately, when she hits the field, it becomes clear that Maria has never played soccer in her life. A fact she confirms later.

“Maria, you said your brother taught you everything he knows?” Beard asks her

She replies, “Sí, cooking, photography, software engineering, you name it. I know it.”

“Well, did he teach you futbol?” Assistant coach Alice Chilton (Tanya Reynolds) asks Maria.

“Nope, it’s my first time,” Maria replied with a cheeky smile.

That was the end of that dream. But Maria’s bright personality and ambition leave Ted with a smile on his face.

Viewers will also enjoy the cute comedy bit, starring Cinco, whose birth name is Paloma Fernández. She is the real-life sister of Cristo Fernández, who played Dani Rojas on the first three seasons of Ted Lasso.

“I love when we do stuff like that. Like how we’ve had Jeremy’s [Swift] wife Mary playing his wife on the show. Whenever we have a love interest on the show, we encourage them to pick someone because they’ll have that natural chemistry,” Sudeikis told Deadline of having Cinco on the show.

He continued, “So to have Cristo’s sister Paloma on the show, who we had all known personally… the two of them are just a joy to be around. And that joy remains with them as individuals. I love that she did it and that she did it with gusto. She was so funny and so sweet.”

Reynolds echoed Sudeikis’ praise for Cinco, “She was so funny!”

Cinco recently spoke with Deadline about joining the Ted Lasso family, whether her soccer skills are better than her character Maria’s, and more below.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The interview below is translated from Spanish to English.

DEADLINE: I was so surprised to see you on Ted Lasso‘s fourth season! How did this come together?

PALOMA CINCO: You know, Cristo and I had the idea to pitch the idea that Dani has a sister. After that, at an Oscars after-party, a member of the press asked Cristo if he would be returning to Ted Lasso for the new fourth season. He said no, but then jokingly added, “Wouldn’t it be cool if his sister was?” From there, we started to process what that would be like. We recorded an audition based on that and sent it along. In our version, Dani’s sister is named Daniela Rojas. She was similar to the character you meet, Maria Rojas, in that she’s equally as positive, energetic, and charismatic, like her brother Dani. There was another version where Daniela was grumpy and dark, the complete opposite of Maria. In our version, she was a good soccer player.

DEADLINE: What are your real-life soccer skills like?

CINCO: The truth is, I have played soccer all my life. I never went pro, but I played a lot growing up with my older brother Cristo. It’s really been such a joy to see how much more attention is being given to women in sports, especially women’s soccer. Maybe I would have considered a pro career had these opportunities been available to me then. I think my soccer skills are good, but I keep it as a hobby. I remember as children, Cristo used to force me to play soccer with him. [Laughs]

DEADLINE: So from tonight’s episode, we see the show went in a different direction. When did you find out you were going to be on the show?

CINCO: Before I heard back, I had been training on my soccer skills, hoping to manifest this opportunity. This was around March or April of last year. I heard in July that the show had already started shooting in Kansas City, but we still had not heard anything. I was starting to think that they might not have been interested in pursuing the idea further. Luckily, I heard from them after that, and they told me about the character they were offering me, and I read the script. I found it to be so funny.

DEADLINE: Based on your original idea, were you willing to make yourself available for the whole season had there been a bigger plan for Maria Rojas in Season 4?

CINCO: I was ready for the opportunity that they would offer me. But yes, if they had wanted me for more episodes, I would’ve happily made myself available. I’m still keeping hope alive. I like the idea that Maria left the tryouts and was inspired to learn how to play soccer, as well as the idea that it’s never too late to learn something new. I like that Maria has learned so many great things from her brother. Who better to teach her how to kick the ball around, right?

DEADLINE: I have no doubt that seeing you on the show will be a moment of pride for Cristo.

CINCO: Being part of the Ted Lasso universe has been something very special to me. Mainly because soccer is a game I grew up playing with my brother. I’ve been emotional about how this is another new experience we have in common. It’s also been special to me because I have focused on my entertainment career for so many years. Yes, as an actress, but also as a producer.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Fernández siblings are the founders of the prodco Espectro MX Films, a passion project supporting many indie projects like their most recent release, the hilarious comedy feature No Translation Required. While Fernández has stepped back from acting as his main gig to follow his dreams as a real-life footballer, now playing with El Paso Locomotive FC, he continues to support the arts as a producer with occasional acting roles. He most recently co-starred alongside Kelsie McDonald in No Translation Required, from director Rafael Altamira.

CINCO: Cristo is another great example of what I mentioned before: you are never too old to follow your dreams. I am very proud of him for following his heart on the football field. I hope he feels good about himself for making this decision. Cristo has always been the best big brother. He has helped me open my eyes to so much, and my way in this industry. We have a very tight-knit family. He was always a disruptor, and he taught me to dream big and to see that there are no limitations.