Matias Varela
Biography
Matias Varela is a Swedish-Spanish actor of Galician descent born on June 23, 1980, in Stockholm, Sweden. He has been active in the acting profession, with a known credit count of 30. Varela's acting career includes notable roles in TV series such as Nya tider, where he played Miguel "Mischa" Zantos, and The Borgias, where he portrayed Ferdinand II of Naples. He has also appeared in films like Snabba Cash, Snabba Cash II, and Snabba Cash – Livet deluxe, where he played the role of Jorge Salinas Barrio. Additionally, he has played the character Jorge Chavez in the Arne Dahl films.
Career overview
Matias Varela is a Swedish-Spanish actor of Galician descent. He began his acting career in the early 2000s, appearing in the Swedish television series Nya tider, where he played the role of Miguel "Mischa" Zantos.
Varela's breakthrough role came when he played Jorge Salinas Barrio in the Swedish film Snabba Cash, which led to a successful comeback after a 10-year hiatus from acting. He reprised this role in the sequels Snabba Cash II and Snabba Cash – Livet deluxe. In addition to his work in the Snabba Cash trilogy, Varela has also appeared in the Arne Dahl films, where he played the role of Jorge Chavez.
Varela's international career gained momentum in 2013 when he appeared in the third season of the television series The Borgias, where he played the role of Ferdinand II of Naples. This marked a significant milestone in his career, leading to further international opportunities.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Shaolin Heroes (2026) as Self
- Mirror (2026) as Kalle
- The Dance Club (2025) as Markus
- Stockholm Bloodbath (2024) as Cardinal
- Då är vi igång (2021) as Himself - Guest
- Raised by Wolves (2020) as Lucius
- Blinded (2019) as Peder Rooth
- Hierro (2019) as Gaspar Cabrera
- 438 Days (2019) as Johan Persson
- Heavy (2019) as Rodrigo
- Assassin's Creed (2016) as Emir
- Narcos (2015) as Jorge Salcedo
- Point Break (2015) as Grommet
- The Fat and the Angry (2014) as Nicola
- Easy Money III: Life Deluxe (2013) as Jorge
- Arne Dahl: The Europe Blues (2012) as Jorge Chavez
- Player (2012) as Guy with cigarette
- Easy Money: Hard to Kill (2012) as Jorge
- Arne Dahl: Many Waters (2012) as Jorge Chavez
- Once Upon a Time in Phuket (2012) as Jean Luc
- The Fjällbacka Murders: In the Eye of the Beholder (2012)
- Arne Dahl: To the Top of the Mountain (2012) as Jorge Chavez
- Arne Dahl: Bad Blood (2012) as Jorge Chavez
- The Borgias (2011) as King Ferdinand II of Naples
- Hellenius Hörna (2010) as Self - Guest
- Easy Money (2010) as Jorge
- Paltalk (2008) as Erik
- Stockholm Boogie (2005) as Sofo
- Storm (2005) as Knugen
- Miss Sweden (2004) as Hector