Francesc Orella

Francesc Orella i Pinell was born on 11 June 1957 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and from an early age demonstrated a keen fascination with the performing arts. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled at the prestigious Institut del Teatre in his hometown, where he honed his craft under the tutelage of some of Spain’s foremost theatrical mentors. Determined to broaden his horizons, Orella subsequently moved to the United States to study at the Herbert Berghoff Studio (HB Studio) in New York City, training alongside notable figures such as John Strasberg, Carol Rosenfeld, Carlos Gandolfo, Genadi Karatkov and Bob McAndrew. This transatlantic experience enriched his acting technique and instilled in him a versatile approach that he would later apply across cinema, television, theatre and dubbing.  In the late 1990s he returned to Spain, making his screen debut in several TV3 productions before appearing in the Telecinco series Comissari in 2000. Over the next decade he accumulated a diverse portfolio, starring in Ventdelplà (2009), Infieles (2009), and co‑leading Les veus del Pamano (2009), Ermessenda (2010) and Prim, l'assassinat del carrer del Turco (2014). His portrayal of Cardinal Adrian of Utrecht in Carlos, Rey Emperador (2015) showcased his dramatic depth, but it was his iconic role as Merlí, the charismatic philosophy professor in TVC’s breakthrough series Merlí (2015‑present), that earned him international recognition. For his stage work, Orella received the Max Award for Best Actor in 2008 for An Enemy of the People and was praised in 2009 with a National Theatre accolade describing his performances as “strong, unique, compelling, moving and flawless.” Today he resides in Valldoreix, Sant Cugat del Vallès, remains single, and continues to be a respected fixture in Spanish cultural life.