Betsy Túrnez: "Comparing 'La casa nostra' and 'Plats bruts' seems absurd to me."

BarcelonaBetsy Túrnez (Barcelona, ​​1974) stars in two diametrically opposed series. In PubertyThe series, which can be seen on HBO Max and will arrive on 3Cat in a few months, features Estel, the mother of a 13-year-old boy accused of sexually assaulting a friend, also a minor. While in the series directed by Leticia Dolera she shows her more dramatic side, in the sitcom from 3Cat Our house She returns to her comedic side with the role of Candela, the owner of the bar where much of the action takes place.

You just premiered Puberty and Our houseThis happens a lot to actors, who suddenly seem to be everywhere.

— Yes, I don't know why. Sometimes you're completely unemployed and then, suddenly, something comes along. Also, sometimes something is released suddenly and you're not working at that particular moment. I'm in a very... [unclear] moment right now cool.

Puberty It deals with a very difficult subject, sexual abuse. Does this series mark a turning point in your career?

— I think so, but that's saying a lot. Something I've learned in this profession is not to have too many expectations about anything, not even about things that might seem obvious. But it's true that I feel that Puberty It's opened a door to the kind of work I've wanted to do for a long time. I've been known as a comedic actress for a long time, and I don't reject comedy, but I want to do many other things. Sometimes it's very difficult for people to see you and place you in a role other than that of a comedian: you have to spoon-feed them. Before Puberty Dramatic characters had already started coming my way, and now they've all come together. It felt like something energetic, and without wanting to fall into these clichés about the demonstration, it's true that I was focusing all my energy on showing that I wanted to do other things besides comedy. Puberty It consolidates something that had been brewing for some time.

The series deals extensively with how we experience sexuality. Do men and women approach sexual issues differently?

— There are new masculinities emerging, and we're at a point where everything is changing, especially among younger generations. Among older people, you only see a change in those who are genuinely interested in it. In older generations, I think it's more common for women to be more inclined to talk about these things—I don't know if it's due to gender or culture—while men tend to be more reserved. The concept of the macho Iberian and the idea that you must satisfy your sexual organs has become so ingrained in men that there's a reluctance to discuss these issues. Men are very worried about not being able to get aroused, and in relationships I've had to remind them that women sometimes don't get aroused either; it's just not physically visible. Sometimes you're more in the mood for sex, and sometimes you're less, but it's not physically noticeable, unlike with men. We aren't always ready and willing for sex. In intimate moments, I've tried to have conversations, to help men relax, and for things to flow more naturally. There's a lot to learn.

Sex education also comes into play here.

— That's one of the things the series advocates for: sex education that goes beyond talking about organs, menstruation, condoms, and the birth control pill. I think we need to go further and talk about consent, for example. Is consent taught in schools? I don't think so, and I believe there should be a change in this regard.

Leticia Dolera and you have a very close relationship. Were you certain that the role of Estel should be yours?

— Well, there were different phases. I did two auditions, but Leti never gave me any indication that the role was for me. In fact, between the first and second auditions, I thought she wasn't going to give it to me. We went out to dinner with some friends, and on the way home we were chatting about Puberty And she told me, "Betsy, even if you don't play Estel, I'm absolutely certain I want you in the series." I thought it was very sweet, but at the same time I thought, "Damn, I'm not going to get the part." I've connected with this story so much. There are things that can't be expressed with words and with Puberty I have a very deep connection that I don't know where it comes from.

It's a series that pushes viewers to examine their own sexual and romantic relationships. Has that happened to the team as well?

— Absolutely, it's inevitable. I wish I'd had a series like that. Puberty When I was younger, I would have loved to have a role model like that, to feel understood and to know that there are resources available to feel heard and supported. I encourage parents to watch the series with their teenagers, from age 13 and up, because it sparks discussion.

You've gone from doing a very dramatic series to a sitcom traditional as it is Our house.

— Yes, the pace is crazy because we have to create a chapter in two days. Every single week. It's like putting on a theater premiere every week. Just when you feel like you've delivered one incredibly fast-paced pregnancy, the next day you're already carrying on another one. It's tough, but also incredibly rewarding because you have to use your brain at full speed. You have to be resourceful and creative.

Does having an audience present during recording change the way you work?

— Actually, no. The audience doesn't come to see a finished product, but to witness a film shoot, with everything that entails. And that's what they like. Whenever we make a mistake, the audience laughs. They love it. We don't make many mistakes; I'd like us to make more, but there's no time. I miss being able to be more relaxed and make jokes, especially in front of an audience. Friends They had more money and more infrastructure and could afford to screw up on purpose.

Comedy is a genre that is often looked down upon.

— I'm amazed that comedy is still looked down upon today. The difficulty of making people laugh isn't valued enough. In this profession, I think there are far more people who can do drama than comedy.

What is the reference point of Our house be Dirty dishes Did it weigh you down?

— Not me personally, because I couldn't care less. Dirty dishes It was a stroke of genius that belonged to a certain era, and now we're in a completely different time. Therefore, comparing them seems absurd to me. The pace, the technology, the language, the context have all changed so much. What's the point of comparing them? To generate more discussion? Fine. But it doesn't put any pressure on me.

What kind of response have you received from the public?

— I'm going through a very curious time because it's very unusual for two projects you've done to have the kind of impact they're having. Puberty as Our houseThe other day I was having dinner with a friend and she asked me how I was doing. I'm like in a bubble: on the one hand, I'm enjoying it, but on the other, I'm in "work, work, work" mode. I have very little real life right now. I spend much more time on set than with my family. Our house The comment I get most often is "I've already finished it and I want more."

You've been in the industry for many years and have played supporting roles for a long time. Have you ever felt like the perfect supporting actress?

— Yes, I've listened to myself, and I've loved taking on this role. Lately, I've been playing more leading roles, but that doesn't mean I don't want to continue playing supporting roles. A producer once told me, "Betsy, you know what I think about you? You work so well as a supporting character that if I give you a leading role, you won't want to go back to playing supporting roles." But that's not the case. I'll be happy to continue playing supporting roles if I enjoy them.

Many actresses complain that they receive fewer offers as they get older. Has this happened to you?

— In my case, I've started working more as I've gotten older. Instead of seeing a desert ahead of me, I feel like there are many things to look forward to. I envision a bright future and I get excited. It seems like as you get older you're supposed to lose that enthusiasm, but I haven't.