Key Facts
Ash Santos, who portrays Andrea Cruz in Taylor Sheridan's new Paramount+ series Marshals, has a remarkable real-life connection to law enforcement. Her father, a former special victims unit detective, was one of the officers who arrested disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein in 2018. Santos revealed this in an interview, noting that her upbringing gave her unique insight into her character's interrogation skills.
From American Horror Story to the Yellowstone Universe
Santos is best known to audiences for her role as Emily in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, where she played a survivor of nuclear war who is revealed to be related to the Antichrist. She also appeared as dancer Coco in Mayor of Kingstown and as paramedic Nia Washington in Netflix's Pulse. Now, she joins the expanding Yellowstone universe as Andrea Cruz, a tough detective from the Bronx who finds herself out of her element in Montana.
Real-Life Law Enforcement Influence
Santos told 1883 Magazine that her father's career heavily influenced her portrayal of Cruz. 'My father was incredibly good at interrogations and that, oddly enough, is also Andrea's most valued skill set for the team,' she said. 'It really feels like Spencer Hudnut wrote that role for me.' She added that she drew on her own experiences of being interrogated by her father as a child to bring authenticity to her on-screen questioning scenes.
Family on Set
Santos also shared that filming Marshals was a family affair. She brought her children to set, calling it a 'dream playground' for them. 'They were on set one day when we had a car crash scene and they actually held production for about 10 minutes while my kids were coming up with my mum so they could watch it,' she recalled.
What to Know About Marshals
Marshals is a spin-off of Taylor Sheridan's hit series Yellowstone, following former rancher Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) as he leads a team of U.S. Marshals. The show premiered on CBS and streams on Paramount+. Season 2 is expected to air in 2026.
FAQ
Who is Ash Santos?
Ash Santos is an actress known for playing Andrea Cruz in the Taylor Sheridan series Marshals, as well as roles in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, Mayor of Kingstown, and Pulse.
What role does Ash Santos play in Marshals?
She plays Andrea Cruz, a tenacious former Bronx detective who joins Kayce Dutton's team in Montana.
Did Ash Santos's father really arrest Harvey Weinstein?
Yes, her father was a special victims unit detective who was part of the team that arrested Harvey Weinstein in 2018.