Carmela Zumbado, known for her breakout role in You as well as appearances in The Magicians and Chicago PD, has built a career rooted in a lifelong love of performing. Now featured in Power Book IV: Force, she reflects on where it all began.
Zumbado grew up in Miami as one of three sisters, all of whom became actresses. Their childhood in South Florida revolved around dance classes, theater programs, and school productions. Performing was simply part of their lives. Supported by parents who encouraged their artistic interests, the sisters naturally transitioned from high school drama rooms to full-time work in the industry.
When speaking to The Knockturnal, Zumbado reflected on the early hurdles of breaking into entertainment and the questions she receives from aspiring actors. Zumbado often emphasizes the value of starting in smaller markets with less competition and more opportunities to learn. That approach allowed her and her sisters to build real experience before eventually making the move to Los Angeles.
“It was really hard to gain a foothold in South Florida because [there’s not too many TV and film productions] there.” said Zumbado. “So instead of just making the big jump to LA and being a small fish in a big pond, we decided to build our resumes in smaller markets like New Orleans and Atlanta, where a lot of things were filming.”
Zumbado often encourages aspiring performers to get a feel for the industry by working as background actors in their own cities. She notes that most major cities eventually host a few television or film productions, and signing up for background work can offer an invaluable first look at how a set actually operates. It provides a crash course in the rhythm of a production and the many roles that keep it moving.
Zumbado also points out that the experience can open unexpected doors. While some newcomers may arrive thinking only about acting, time on set can reveal an interest in other creative departments such as costumes, props, locations, or set design. Background work, she explains, is often the simplest and most accessible way to discover where someone truly fits within the world of filmmaking.
It is a strategy that helped shape the career she has today, leading to the roles audiences now recognize her for, including her work in this week’s episode of Power Book IV: Force.
“The Last Dance” Carmela Zumbado (“MIREYA GARCIA”), Joseph Sikora (“TOMMY EGAN”). Photo Credit: Starz
Carmela Zumbado on Crafting Scenes That Resonate With Viewers
When discussing the emotionally charged episode in which Mireya enters an abortion clinic and ultimately decides not to terminate the pregnancy, Carmela Zumbado reflected on the collaborative process behind crafting those moments. The conversations between Zumbado, Joseph Sikora, and the episode’s writer and producer were centered on grounding Mireya’s decision in authenticity and emotional truth. They worked closely to make sure every beat felt earned, especially given the weight of the storyline.
The episode was directed by Lisa Demain, whom Zumbado describes as a remarkable creative force. Demain’s extensive television experience gave her a steady hand in guiding the cast through the episode’s most delicate scenes. Zumbado noted that Demain’s strength lies in her open-minded approach. She encourages exploration and is willing to try scenes in multiple ways, allowing the actors to find the most honest version of a moment.
“She might want us to go level ten emotion here, but then maybe try to bring it back to a five and pull it back a little bit more,” she said. “So the reason Joseph and I were able to really dive into this whole range of emotion is because Lisa was willing to be patient and take the time to decide in every scene, what level of intensity are we going to be at? What’s the backstory here? What happened right before the scene? What’s going to happen later on in the season? That’s going to need to match this? So I give her all the credit for the performances, especially in this episode. She was a really great guide.”
Zumbado also highlighted the dinner-table scene with Tommy and Miguel, a moment that required a different type of collaboration. The three actors approached it with the understanding that their characters are now tied together as a family, and that their choices must reflect a shared future rather than individual impulses.
“Joseph and Manny are my great friends, so it wasn’t awkward at all. We were in between takes, laughing and having a great time, and both of those men are nowhere near as intense as their characters are,” she said. “They’re both goofballs. They’re both hilarious, so it’s just so funny to see them snap into character when the director yells ‘action!’ and have to make it seem like it’s awkward. Because in real life we were just actually having a great time.”
When talking about Tommy Egan finding out he’s going to be a father, Carmela Zumbado said she immediately felt it would push him to change, and maybe even for the better. She sees fatherhood as something that can sharpen a person, make them think faster on their feet, and add a new kind of strength that boosts everything they already bring to the table. In her view, that responsibility could end up making Tommy an even more powerful version of himself.
“I’m interested to see where he takes that. I don’t think he’s going to need to choose between being Tommy Egan and being a father. I think becoming a father might just fortify who he is,” said Zumbado.
