Interview with Hospital Central's Fátima Baeza about her role as Esther and leaving the show

By Zasquia on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 22:55

Spain has had almost eleven seasons of a revolutionary lesbian storyline on national television.

But last month, Hospital Central actresses Fátima Baeza and Patricia Vico announced - to the shock of their worldwide fans - the end of Esther and Maca.

What will happen to the characters and how did that happen at all? We wondered just like you and asked Fátima Baeza (who plays Esther) to tell us a bit about her time on Hospital Central, about her role as Esther and about leaving the series after so many years.

You have starred as Esther on Hospital Central since the very first episode of the show. What attracted you the most to play that character as an actress?

”I loved the idea of playing a nurse and speaking about illness and what we could learn from it and what we might change.”

During the show, Esther became a lesbian when the character of Maca was introduced. What did you think about this change? And how did you feel about portraying one of the first lesbians on national television?

”I loved the change because it was a beautiful love story (and I’m a romantic), and because it treated the subject of homosexuality with normalcy and ease.

As an actress it was a gift, I really wanted to do a good job and I wanted the story to work. It was very important and risky at the same time, but I think that everyone was committed: the team of writers, directors, and above all the public, both hetero and homosexual, who never stopped supporting us.”

When Esther and Maca started their relationship, the entire country was watching and generally liking this story line. Spanish lesbians have told us about how important this was to them. It made them feel more accepted by Spanish society. Were you aware of your contribution to the lesbian community and how do you feel about that now?

”Yeeeess, we’ve been very well-loved and they’ve supported us a lot!!!! I feel very, very proud that I was able to contribute my little grain of sand to the normalization of gay relationships, and I’m very grateful for having served as a channel for other women to feel represented, reflected… not alone.”

In all the years that you’ve played Esther, what are your personal highlights? For example, were there any story lines in particular that you really enjoyed playing?

”The whole beginning of the relationship I recall with special fondness, the seduction, the surprise of love, the adventure of getting to know and getting to grow in that love… the work with Patricia, the getting to know each other as people and actresses, discussing how to do certain things, the laughter, the complacency and the affection that arose between us from the beginning.”

Both you and Patricia are leaving the show next season. Is it a coincidence that you are leaving at the same time?

“I haven’t exactly chosen to leave it, the decision came from the network and the producer, who both decided that the character has reached her end, and we’ve reached an agreement on how to give Esther a nice exit from the series.”

What will you miss most about working on Hospital Central?

”I’ll miss everything!!! The whole technical and creative team, the schedule (fixed for 10 years), my fellow actors… Maca and Esther… I’ll miss my Esther!!!!”