Mariana Treviño Shines in Apple TV+’s “Stick” — Emotional Depth, Chemistry, and Acting Wisdom

In the Apple TV+ series Stick, Mariana Treviño plays Elena, a devoted single mother navigating the highs and lows of raising a vulnerable golf prodigy, portrayed by Peter Dager. Surrounded by an eclectic cast — including Owen Wilson and Marc Maron as a fallen pro and his loyal caddie — Treviño’s nuanced performance adds emotional gravity to the offbeat sports drama.

In a candid interview with RogerEbert.com, the acclaimed Mexican actress discusses jumping into the role on short notice, building authentic on-screen relationships, and embracing subtlety in emotionally charged scenes.

A Last-Minute Role With Emotional Weight

Treviño landed the part of Elena while finishing another show in Mexico. “It happened so fast,” she recalls. After several Zoom auditions and a chemistry read in Los Angeles, she was cast — but a lost passport almost cost her the gig. “Thankfully, everything aligned,” she said, eventually making it to Vancouver just in time to begin filming.

Despite the whirlwind start, Treviño found comfort in the supportive atmosphere on set. “Everybody was really welcoming… It made it easy to just settle in and concentrate on meeting Elena.”

Building a Mother-Son Connection On Screen

The emotional anchor of Stick lies in the bond between Elena and her son. For Treviño, that authenticity comes from emotional openness. “There’s a language that is just the language of hearts trying to connect,” she says, describing the on-set relationship with Peter Dager as one rooted in sincerity.

“There is an interchange of soul, of energy… That magic happens when you’re receptive to the other actor.”

The Power of Subtlety in Performance

A standout moment in the series features a quiet but devastating realization: Elena discovers she’s unintentionally hurt another character. Instead of opting for a dramatic outburst, Treviño’s reaction is subdued, contemplative — and deeply moving.

“It’s one of my favorite scenes,” she says. “That moment for Elena is where she stops her antics of being defensive. It’s a moment of realization in her heart.”

Treviño and Marc Maron, who shares the scene with her, rehearsed the emotional balance together. “We were working on a very thin line,” she recalls. “It was beautiful — at the end, we were hugging.”

How Costumes Reflect Character

Elena’s wardrobe was designed to reflect her grounded, everyday life. “She’s a down-to-earth mom who buys her clothes wherever she can,” Treviño explains. Still, subtle flair shows her individuality — especially when dressing up for formal moments like a bank visit, with outfits nodding to classic 1980s Latin American styles.

The Best Acting Advice She Ever Received

Treviño draws on a pivotal moment from her early career when an older actor advised her to conserve her energy for the stage. “He said, ‘Keep your energy for scenes. Don’t waste it. Do your work on the stage.’”

That wisdom stuck. “It requires a lot of attention, a lot of emotional energy to perform,” she says. “Each actor prepares differently, but that advice always grounds me.”

Through warmth, emotional clarity, and a dedication to authenticity, Mariana Treviño brings Elena to life in Stick, adding depth and humanity to the series’ comedic and dramatic beats. Her performance is a testament to the power of quiet moments — and to the strength of characters who, like Elena, lead with their hearts.