Waiting for "Eduardo" -- A look back at "João Caldas Ribeiro"

Yesterday, Diogo tweeted that he was in Portugal preparing for the new SIC drama series, "Ambição" ("Ambition.)"  Specifically, Diogo said he was really excited about creating his character for the series, "Eduardo," whom he described as a "tricky and unique individual" and that it is going to be fun.  When asked if he will be playing a hero or a villain, Diogo tweeted that "Eduardo" is definitely not a hero.  You may recall, "Eduardo" will have both a trophy wife and a mistress, according to the SIC press release.

So, as we eagerly await to see "Ambição" and get to know "Eduardo," I thought it would be cool to take a closer look back at the last character Diogo played on a TV series -- "João Caldas Ribeiro" in the SIC 2011 Emmy award winning series, "Laços de Sangue" ("Blood Ties.")

(photo courtesy of SAPO)

"João Caldas Ribeiro" was a doctor and humanitarian who took part often in "Doctors Without Borders."  But it was João's tumultuous personal life that was the heart of "Laços de Sangue." Specifically, João was caught in the middle of a love triangle with two sisters -- who, separated during childhood, become arch-enemies as adults -- the villainess "Diana" (played by Joana Santos) and the heroine, "Inês" (played by Diana Chaves.)


Here are two links to two quick clips of Diogo as "João."  Two very different scenes, showing the high and lows of this character's story in "Laços de Sangue."  @MsLiliana has also kindly provided a translation of each scene, found below the link.

João tries to kill Diana

João: Shhh shut up, shut up… I told you Diana, I told you to keep away from my wife and my kid, and you didn't care… 
Diana: So I didn't! And now??.....
João: Shhhh.
Diana: What are you gonna do now?!... You don´t have the guts to shoot, João! We've been through this before, remember? … You are a coward! 
João: You’re right… we have been through this before…  but this time I am going to play by your rules! This time I will do the right thing! Try to follow … I am going to kill you, but it will be in self-defense, because I have a gun at my backpack with an erased serial number. When I kill you, I will put that gun in your hand, and shoot at the door, to pretend you tried to kill me, understand?   But everything will end up the good way. My family will stay safe, and I will not have to pay for your death….
(Judge enters the room.)
Judge: What is this?
João:  Wait. I know you… You are the judge that got Diana free from jail…… 
END.

João and Inês Sing Happy Birthday to Tiago

João: Let’s blow out the candles! 
(Inês and João give baby Tiago to his godfather)
João: Do not feel like going to the hospital now…

Inês: It’s your work. And besides there are people there who need you.

João: That is true. So you mean you don't need me, that it? 

Inês: Noooo I need you! But I know that I will have you forever…

END.
__________

Diogo was in 315 episodes of "Laços de Sangue," from 2010 to 2011.  You may recall, this is also the character/show in which Diogo did his own stunt -- jumping off a cliff.  

For his work as "João" on the series, Diogo was nominated for a "TV 7 Dias" ("7 Days TV Magazine") Award for "Best Actor" in 2011.  Diogo spoke humbly of this honor in this interview, translated below the clip thanks to @MsLiliana:

(clip courtesy of Acesso Total/YouTube)

"Reporter: Diogo Morgado nominated in the category of best actor…

Diogo Morgado/DM: Yes….

Reporter: Nervous?

DM: Uhhh a little bit anxious, yes I am, confess. I am not… how should I say it… This is not a place where I feel at ease… in the middle of all this glamour, these people… this excitement…. For me it is awkward. So… independently of being nominated or not there is always a little anxiety, it’s true.

Reporter: Imagine that today you take that prize home… The prize is voted by the audience, does that change the way you look at the prize, or not?

DM: No, off course not. Well to the prize I won’t look, I will look at it once… There is no way of looking at a prize unless giving thanks to the ones who voted, and for the path we have been doing, and that is a proud motive, but is with no doubt an appreciation for those who voted and keep up with what we do.

Reporter: Do you think that this is a kind of recognition that actors deserve for their work and effort every day?

DM: No doubt!  I think these awards are the ones that at this moment are about TV, and I think because Portuguese TV production is becoming stronger each day, it's a sector that also deserves recognition.  Really deserves it due to the dedication of so many people, not only the actors, but also the technicians, directors, writers… and that not being acknowledged would be a failure. That is why I am here, these events need our presence.

Reporter: I wish you all the best luck in the world and that you take the trophy home.

DM: Thank you… thank you!"
END.

______

Diogo also shared his favorite and least favorite scenes to film in "Laços de Sangue" in this fun interview, again kindly translated by @MsLiliana below the clip: (you will need flash to view this.)

Diogo talks about "Laços de Sangue"

"Diogo: I liked to shoot…. I liked asking Inês to marry me… in Brazil… I thought that scene was fun!

What I liked least … uhhh the scenes where my sister Alice dies pregnant… well I didn't like that! I mean… I liked to shoot it because they were difficult scenes, but I didn't like because I felt uncomfortable… you guys now, c’mon!
(…)
Oh well… about one year and one or two weeks ago, we’re preparing, and rehearsing to make a series at SIC, called “Laços de Sangue.” At the time we were a little nervous about what would happen. There were two actresses who were working with me, we didn't known each other that well. To make sure that this would work out, just like that. Meanwhile we just got along and 3 weeks after rehearsals we thought: This might work!!
One year and a week later… here we are.  It worked out! Things went well, people liked it, YOU who are there, also like it … and for us it's a huge honor being here today celebrating something that was important to SIC and I think for Portuguese TV production too.  All thanks to you, so thank you so much, and big thanks to you from SicOnline."
END.
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So while we won't see Diogo as "Eduardo" in "Ambição" for some time, I do think it's great to know that based on what we've read of "Eduardo" and seen of "João," this next character Diogo will play on SIC will be different from his last.  And I personally love that "Eduardo" will be VERY different from "Jesus," maybe even the anti-Jesus, hee.  Seriously, I think it will be really good, interesting and fun to see Diogo play a "tricky individual." 

Until then, if you want to see even more of Diogo as João Caldas Ribeiro, here's an incredible trailer for "Laços de Sangue," WITH English subtitles:

 

(clip courtesy of Luis MBF/YouTube)

Obrigada, as always to @MsLiliana for her time and effort in giving us all these translations.

--Sara