'Silver Angel' Joaquin Cosio says 3rd season of 'The Strain' is the most exciting yet

THE STRAIN -- "The Silver Angel" -- Episode 204 (Airs August 2, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Joaquin Cosio as Angel Guzman Hurtado. CR: Michael Gibson/FX (Copyright 2015, FX Networks. All Rights Reserved.)

Guillermo del Toro’s horror drama show “The Strain” is promising fans an action-packed third season picking up right where it left off.

Fox News Latino chatted about it with Joaquin Cosio, the prolific Mexican actor who plays Angel Guzman Hurtado.

For fans who are not caught up with “The Strain,” set up the scene for season 3. Where are we returning in the story?

I think it’s the best and most exciting season yet. The vampires suffered a major blow at the end of season 2, and that means that now they are angrier with much more pressure to execute their plan for the destruction of humans. They are much angrier and menacing this time around. We made them angry, and now we will have to pay for that.

Now we have to regroup and find new ways of fighting and working together that will produce actual results and give some hope to humanity.

You return to the show as Angel Guzman Hurtado aka “The Silver Angel.” What can we expect from your character and how will his story develop throughout season 3?

I can’t tell you too much without spoiling it, but basically me and “Gus,” played incredibly by Miguel Lopez, are a team. We’re deep in the trenches, literally, this time around. There’s a lot of action, and most importantly, the relationship between Angel and Gus grows in surprising ways. There would be no Angel without Gus and the other way around. We form a great bond that is real and touching, while cracking vampire skulls along the way.

For Angel in particular, the fact that in this universe of scientists, police officers, military personnel, millionaires and politicians, he’s just an old, Mexican dishwasher makes him a fascinating character. His motives are pure and when the world is in trouble, he must answer that call.

How has it been working with fellow Mexican Guillermo del Toro?

A true honor and lifelong dream come true. I do my best to try to make Mexico proud with my work, but I think no one has put the name of Mexico so high as Guillermo has. He’s a genius, a true artist with a unique mind and boundless creativity. I’m particularly humbled it was him who called me directly to ask me to play the Silver Angel.

In all his work, there is always a Mexican element to it, be it symbolic or idiosyncratic. In the case of “The Strain,” he’s using probably the most beloved symbol for all Mexicans, the luchador — the masked hero who fights evil and injustice on behalf of the people.

What do you think makes “The Strain” as successful as it is?

Being on set the first thing that I realized was that although this is a TV show, it’s actually made just like a movie, and I think people enjoy, and are attracted to that. It has all the elements and quality of the best movie productions, a very cinematic feel that I think audiences not just appreciate, but nowadays demand in quality television.

In all modesty, I do believe “The Strain” delivers some of the highest standards in this aspect. It’s an entire universe that they’ve created and viewers get to experience the magic and fantasy of Guillermo del Toro’s mind, as well as Carlton Cruse’s and Chuck Hogan’s.

A lot has been said about the diversity of roles and actors in Hollywood recently. It’s seems like television has had a slight leg up in terms of putting Latino actors on screen. What are your thoughts on this issue?

I think there’s definitely been some improvement; the fact that I’m a part of this show is evidence of that. With a Latino population as vast as the one this country has, it’s logical that the industry realized that it needs to be more approachable and identifiable with Latinos if it wants to survive. We’re not there yet, I think Latino actors shouldn’t just be cast, but also be a part of the creative process, be in dialogue with the directors and writers.

It’s not real progress if the roles and stories about Latinos aren’t being created with Latinos, it’s an integral process, creatively. There’s definitely progress that has been made recently, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Season three of “The Strain” premieres Sunday night on FX.