Jimmy Smits portrays Alex Vega in the lead role as the Duques' adopted son and chosen heir to the family's sugar and rum business. Smits is also a co-executive producer of the show.
Héctor Elizondo and
Rita Moreno star as Pancho and Amalia Duque, the family patriarch and matriarch.
Nestor Carbonell was cast as Frank Duque, the impulsive firstborn son. Other Duque children are portrayed by
Paola Turbay and
Eddie Matos as Isabel Duque Vega, Alex's wife and mother of three children, and Henry Duque, the youngest son of Pancho and Amalia, respectively. Alex and Isabel's children are played respectively by
Michael Trevino,
Lina Esco, and Samuel Carman as Jaime, Katie, and Artie Vega.
Oscar Torre played Santo, a Cuban refugee who was Mr. Vega's bodyguard.
Polly Walker and
Ken Howard appear as Ellis and Joe Samuels, members of the Duques' rival family, and
Alona Tal rounds out the cast portraying Rebecca (King) Vega, Jaime's wife.
Casting Casting for all of the principal roles on the show took place from February to March 2007. Smits was the first actor to be cast in February 2007, while also serving as producer under his production company, El Sendero Productions. In order of casting, Nestor Carbonell, Eddie Matos, Rita Moreno, and Michael Trevino were chosen to play their respective parts in February, while Hector Elizondo, Samuel Carman, Alona Tal, Lina Esco, and Paola Turbay joined the cast in early March. Polly Walker was the last to join the cast a few weeks before
HBO aired the last episode of
Rome. ==Cancellation==