Tamar Novas Reflects on Early Goya Win and Career

According to the actor, being an actor often involves knowing how to respond to the unexpected. Tamar Novas demonstrated this skill during the recent Goya Awards when he, alongside Belén Rueda, was tasked with presenting the first ex aequo award for Best Picture in the history of the ceremony. The award was shared between El 47 and La infiltrada.

Novas recounted the precise moment they realized the tie. "Belén tenía el sobre y vi un papel que pasó donde ponía muy pequeñito ex aequo. Pensaba todo el rato: no lo ha visto. Fue muy rápido. Le dije que mirase si había otra tarjeta, y efectivamente," he explained. He likened the quick thinking required in that moment to a ninja reconstructing keys to fight off attackers. He contrasted this smooth handling with the Oscars, stating, "En los Oscar se equivocaron y lo llevaron peor, subieron los que no eran y hubo que interrumpir."

It is fitting that Novas feels comfortable in the Goya Awards environment, as he measures his years by the number of editions of the ceremony. Both the actor and the awards are approaching a significant milestone, celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2026. Novas reached legal adulthood at the same time he achieved major industry recognition, winning the statuette for Best New Actor for Mar adentro (2004), directed by Alejandro Amenábar. In the film, he portrayed the nephew of Ramón Sampedro.

Managing a career that begins with such a high-profile victory presents unique challenges. Novas admitted that he did not fully grasp the magnitude of the win at the time. "No tenía mucha cabeza ni nada cercano a una carrera," he said. Fellow filmmaker David Trueba offered him perspective, advising, "No pienses que siempre es así, es muy difícil caer en una película de estas características." Despite the advice, Novas has continued forward, stating, "Pero la ilusión era lo que me nutría. Estoy en el camino mientras la siga sintiendo."

Following his early dramatic success, Novas is currently exploring his comedic abilities. He appears in Rondallas, the latest film from director Daniel Sánchez Arévalo. This project represents a shift in tone for the actor, allowing him to showcase a different side of his talent. By stepping into the genre of comedy, Novas demonstrates his versatility and willingness to evolve as an artist beyond the dramatic roles that first defined him.