Netflix’s ‘Elite’ star Julián Ortega dies aged 41 after collapsing on beach

Julián Ortega, an actor who starred in the hit Netflix Spanish series Elite, has died at the age of 41 after reportedly collapsing on a beach.

Spain’s national union of actors and actresses confirmed Ortega’s death in an obituary this week.

“From the Unión de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends,” it read (via Deadline)

There are differing accounts concerning the cause of Ortega’s death. Initial reports had suggested Ortega had drowned, but it’s since been reported that he collapsed on Zahora beach in Barbate early Sunday evening (September 25).

Olive Press Spain, an English-language publication in Spain, reported that Ortega went into cardiac arrest and that paramedics spent up to 30 minutes attempting to revive him.

One of the longest-running shows on Netflix, teen drama Elite follows the lives of three working-class students who enroll at an elite school through a scholarship program, where they navigate relationships and other tribulations with their wealthy classmates.

Alongside Ortega, the series also starred Itzan Escamilla, Miguel Bernardeau, Maria Pedraza, Miguel Herran, Jaime Lorente, Álvaro Rico, Arón Piper, and Mine El Hammani.

Elite’s debuted in 2018 and concluded with its eighth season, which released all eight episodes on Netflix on 26 July 2024.

In a statement in October, co-creator Carlos Montero said: “We ended on a high note. Jaime [Vaca, co-showrunner], Netflix and I thought it was time to end it. I say this with great regret because it’s been several incredible years in which I’ve met wonderful actors, we’ve worked with all the directors we wanted to work with and we’ve had the luxury of having Maribel these last two seasons.

“Elite changed everyone’s life, there are actors who started with us and it has been their springboard to be now world stars. It is happening to this cast and it is a pride to have contributed to that and to know that they have seen us all over the world and liked it.”

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