Welcome to “Meet Cute,” where we get up close and sometimes personal with our newest crush. This time around, we’re chatting with Manuel Garcia-Rulfo from The Lincoln Lawyer.

When we first meet Mickey Haller of The Lincoln Lawyer, he’s a shell of himself — staring out into the ocean, unable to plunge into the danger that is the untamed water. Then, minutes later, Mickey washes off that broken feeling; he slips on a tailored suit and sunglasses. This is his Batsuit. He hops into an electric blue Lincoln convertible (one of his many Batmobiles, if you will) and drives off into the LA sunset, leaving behind him a palpable air of mystery. 

Peter Yang for Netflix

But this isn’t just how we meet Mickey Haller — the beloved character from Michael Connelly’s book series of the same name — it’s also our first introduction to Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, the actor bringing this character to life. As Mickey, he is effortless; he is cool. Almost achingly so. 

This Mickey — a biracial Latinx lawyer with deep roots in Mexico — is a reflection of Connelly’s original source material for The Lincoln Lawyer. And although Garcia-Rulfo has appeared in a variety of on-screen roles since 2006 (including blockbusters like The Magnificent Seven and 6 Underground), this is his first turn as leading man in a major television series. And he certainly doesn’t waste it. Here’s your chance to get to know the man behind the Mickey.

Name: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Netflix project: The Lincoln Lawyer  Instagram account: @Manu_Rulfo DOB: February 25 Star sign: Pisces  Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico Favorite food: “I love pasta. I love Italian.” Favorite Lincoln Lawyer food: Tacos Love language: French

When it comes to your culture, how much influence did you have in portraying Mickey’s culture on-screen? I think it was really important for me to explore that side of Mickey Haller, his Mexican side and his Latin side.

Did any moments throughout the season mean the most to you particularly?  I just love that he’s a fan [of food] and he loves taking people to his secret places to eat tacos. He has very, very, very well hidden spots where he likes to go, and then he’s all about the food. But that particular scene where Mickey takes Izzy to try tacos birria — that was cool.

What do you think this role — you playing a successful, professional husband and dad — means to Latinx fans? I think it’s really important. At least for me, I was very grateful and excited to be a lead on a show — an American show that’s in English — and that it’s a lawyer. That it’s not the stereotype. Not that that’s bad, because sometimes it’s fun to play the drug dealer. 

But that’s not all Latinx actors are capable of. And you certainly prove that with Mickey. It was very exciting for me to have the opportunity to play a lead on a show. That it’s a lawyer, here in the States. So, I think it’s really cool, in any culture, to see yourself. “Oh, he talks like me” or “He knows this” or “He eats like me.” I think it’s really cool to see yourself on the screen. I enjoy watching other cultures as well.

What other cultures are you exploring on-screen right now?  I’m becoming a fan of Korean TV and shows. Because you learn so much from other cultures, so I think it’s really cool. I’m very grateful and I’m very excited about it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.