Striking young Spanish actor Omar Ayuso shot to international fame playing namesake character Omar Shanaa in the hit Netflix thriller series Elite, a role he has played in all five seasons of the show and its series of special episodes. Ayuso’s character has drawn particular praise because he is a gay Muslim yet to come out who has a relationship with Ander Munoz (played by Aron Piper). The pair’s on-screen chemistry has led to them being referred to simply as “Omander” and has gained them a significant fanbase. Openly gay himself, Ayuso has helped LGBT visibility in Spain — although he’s reluctant to call himself a role model. He has undoubtedly helped to make an impact, however — the show won a GLAAD Media Award in 2019. In 2021, he was cast in 8 Anos, a drama film about a gay man reflecting on his eight-year relationship.
Born in Madrid in 1998, Ayuso developed a love affair with acting after seeing Pedro Almodovar’s crtically-acclaimed, dark 2004 film La mala educacion (Bad Education). He hit the jackpot almost instantly, with Elite becoming his first major role during 2018. The show’s success has seen him appear in other media too, most notably in the video for Spanish sensation Rosalia’s 2020 hit single ‘Juro Que’.
With such huge success coming so soon in Ayuso’s career, it’ll be fascinating to see what he does next. With a lead role in a major series, music videos, and a succession of short films already under his belt, he is well placed to establish himself as a major international actor.
