If your idea of romance includes ancient ruins, spontaneous adventures, and one very charming chef, then Hallmark’s “Machu Picchu Proposal” is serving it hot. Alec Santos is at the center of the magic, ready to light up your screen with his signature charm.
The Brazilian-American actor stars as Carlos, a passionate and free-spirited chef who stirs up more than just Peruvian cuisine. This is after he meets Katie, Hallmark favorite Rhiannon Fish, a type-A planner caught in a whirlwind proposal gone wrong. What unfolds is a classic opposites-attract story, set against the postcard-perfect backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic wonders.
Speaking about working with Hallmark and playing Carlos, Santos recently opened up on the “Hear in Motion Podcast.”
“My second Christmas movie had just come out, ‘Confessions of a Christmas Letter,’ and I got a call from my agent,” he shared. “She’s like, ‘Hallmark may want you to shoot in Peru.’ And I was like, ‘Wow, that would be really fun… and rough!’”
He continued, “The directors and producers had seen my previous work, so they didn’t even ask me to audition. They just needed to do a vibe check; they needed to call and make sure I was okay with shooting internationally, because on those projects, there’s no trailer. You’re outside every day, in the elements, getting rained on. They don’t shut anything down.”
Alec Santos: A Real-Life Multilingual Marvel
Born and raised in Brazil, Santos also has a touch of Canadian in him thanks to his father. After spending time in Chile, where he picked up Spanish, his family eventually moved to the U.S., where Santos finished high school. He later moved to Canada, earned degrees in biochemistry and education, and now teaches both science and drama in Vancouver.
He’s fluent in three languages and has a knack for switching accents with ease. Can you say triple threat? That versatility has landed him a variety of roles, from a salsa instructor in “Virgin River” to a drug dealer in “Cocaine Godmother.” He also earned a Best Actor nomination in Vancouver for his self-produced stage performance of “Lungs” by Duncan Macmillan.
But despite the intense roles, Santos brings something extra to Hallmark: heart.
Food, Fun & Falling for Love
While Carlos is technically a chef on vacation, Santos didn’t have to worry much about slicing and dicing on camera. What he did get to do was enjoy the food and the chemistry.
“There’s a wonderful scene where we’re in this ancient Peruvian town, and they hired a local dance troupe to dress up in carnivalesque costumes,” Santos explained. “We’re just walking through it, and all of a sudden we get caught up in the fun dancing, chaos, color. In that moment, our characters notice each other, but we get separated because it’s so wild. It’s a really cool, natural meet-cute.”
He added, “A lot of times, meet-cutes feel staged, like, ‘Oops, we brushed hands!’ But this one felt spontaneous and real. It was pretty incredible.”
And while Fish plays the by-the-book planner, Santos leaned into his real-life personality for the role. “What makes Hallmark so special is love and people coming together,” he said. “But it’s not just about the food. Peruvian culture is so much more, it’s music, dance… there’s a great dance scene where I got to show off some moves, and be humbled by Miss Fish’s dancing skills.”
Shooting in Machu Picchu itself came with its own challenges. Speaking with TV Fanatic, the actor noted, “It’s not a closed set. There’s a lot of noise, dogs barking, people shouting. You have to get used to it. We don’t cut. We wait for the noise to die down, and then continue the scene.”
“Still, how can I not look like I’m having the time of my life when Machu Picchu is in the background?”
What’s Next? Christmas in July!
Fresh off the Peruvian love story, Santos is keeping the Hallmark train rolling. He stars in “Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle,” the first of four movies premiering as part of the network’s annual Christmas in July event.
Filming a Christmas movie in the summer heat might seem strange, but Santos embraces the idea. “It took me a while. I thought, we already have one Christmas; why do we need one in July? But Christmas is a sentiment. It’s about spending time with people you love. So why not have that moment in July?”
As a July baby himself, this one hits home. “My mom lives in San Diego, my sister’s in New York, and they’re both coming to Vancouver to celebrate with me. So yeah, it’ll feel like Christmas,” he said.
Whether he’s playing a dreamy chef at 7,000 feet or popping up in holiday magic, Santos is clearly one of Hallmark’s rising stars, with global roots and a gift for heartfelt storytelling.
His performances are grounded, joyful, and sincere. If “Machu Picchu Proposal
is any indication, audiences will be seeing a lot more of him, probably with a fork in one hand and a flirtatious grin in the other.
Hallmark’s “Machu Picchu Proposal” premieres Saturday, June 28, at 8/7c. Catch “Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle” the following week on Saturday, July 5.
Mark your calendars; this is one destination romance you don’t want to miss.
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Alec Santos Teases Adorable Meet-Cute Magic in Hallmark’s ‘Machu Picchu Proposal’