Grand Hotel’s Bryan Craig Unpacks Javi’s Complicated Journey: Love, Lies, and Unraveling Mysteries

As ABC’s hit drama Grand Hotel continues to captivate audiences, one character’s emotional journey stands out for its unexpected twists and turns: Javi Mendoza. From his initial portrayal as a charismatic yet somewhat reckless individual, Javi has found himself at the epicenter of a web of personal and family drama, intensified by a life-altering lie. In an exclusive interview with HollywoodLife, star Bryan Craig, who brings Javi to life, delved deep into the complexities of Javi’s evolving relationships, the show’s tantalizing mysteries, and what fans can expect as the season unfolds.

The revelation that Ingrid is pregnant and has told Javi he is the father – a lie designed to secure her future – has completely upended Javi’s world. This pivotal moment has served as a catalyst for a profound transformation in his character. Bryan Craig revealed to HollywoodLife that viewers are witnessing a significant shift in Javi. “You’re going to see Javi step up more and be more responsible,” Craig teased, hinting at a new, more mature side of the character emerging. This newfound sense of impending fatherhood has ignited a protective instinct within Javi, pushing him towards greater accountability and a desire to build a stable life. He’s actively embracing the responsibilities, demonstrating a commitment that might have seemed out of character for him previously. This commitment, ironically built on a falsehood, is also deepening his emotional connection to Ingrid. “He starts to fall for Ingrid more and more as time goes on, and she falls more for him,” Craig explained, illustrating the tragic irony of their burgeoning romance. The lie, while manipulative, has paradoxically fostered a genuine affection between them, making the inevitable revelation all the more heartbreaking for both characters and for the audience invested in their story.

However, the emotional foundation of Javi and Ingrid’s relationship remains fragile, resting entirely on Ingrid’s deception. The real father of her baby is Mateo, a truth that looms large over their developing bond. When asked by HollywoodLife whether Javi and Ingrid could ultimately make a good match, Bryan Craig’s response was insightful and tinged with a sense of regret. “I think Javi and Ingrid would do well together if it didn’t start off the way it started off,” he admitted, acknowledging the undeniable chemistry and shared traits between them. Craig elaborated on their compatibility, noting, “They have a lot of similarities. They’re both kinda mischievous, and I think they would fit.” This shared playful, perhaps even rebellious, spirit suggests that under different circumstances, their connection could have flourished into something real and lasting. They possess a certain understanding of each other’s less conventional sides. Yet, Craig remains realistic about the future. “But I don’t see how it would work out after all this unfolds.” The weight of the lie, once exposed, is almost certain to shatter the trust they’ve built, leaving Javi grappling with profound betrayal and Ingrid facing the consequences of her desperate actions. The narrative meticulously builds this emotional tension, promising a dramatic payoff when the truth finally comes to light, forcing both characters to confront the wreckage of their unconventional courtship.

Beyond his tumultuous romantic life, Javi’s personal history is poised to be explored in greater depth, offering crucial insights into the man he is today. Bryan Craig confirmed that viewers will “get all” of Javi’s backstory, a promise that has fans eagerly anticipating revelations about his past. A particularly poignant aspect of his history is the loss of his leg, an event that profoundly shaped his life. “We spend a lot of time flashing back to what happened and his process,” Bryan revealed, emphasizing the emotional and physical journey Javi underwent. These flashbacks will not only detail the incident itself but also explore “going forward and getting older with the disability and all that.” This deep dive into Javi’s formative years promises to shed light on his vulnerabilities, his coping mechanisms, and perhaps even the root causes of his past recklessness or his current desire for stability. The show is dedicating an entire installment to this exploration, with Episode 8 specifically highlighted as a “very Javi-centric episode.” This focus will allow audiences to truly understand the challenges he has faced, the resilience he has demonstrated, and how these experiences have influenced his identity and his interactions with those around him at the opulent Riviera Grand. Understanding his past struggles will undoubtedly enrich our understanding of his present actions and his future trajectory.

Grand Hotel, at its core, is a masterclass in interwoven mysteries, and Javi finds himself entwined in more than one. The overarching enigma revolves around the disappearance of Sky, a former employee at the luxurious Riviera Grand and the sister of Danny, who is secretly investigating her vanishing. However, a newer, equally compelling mystery has recently surfaced, one that directly impacts Javi and his sister Alicia: the secrets surrounding their late mother, Beatriz, portrayed by the iconic Eva Longoria. In a chilling flashback, Beatriz was seen in hysterics, confiding in Gigi about a grave secret. Her desperate plea – that Santiago would kill her if he found out what she’d done – instantly raised the stakes and introduced a new layer of intrigue to the Mendoza family’s past. Bryan Craig assures fans that this mystery is far from resolved, revealing, “You’re going to get a lot of flashbacks of Eva, too, as the season goes on.” He underscored the significance of her character’s role, stating, “Her part is quite big.” This suggests that Beatriz’s secret is not merely a subplot but a foundational element that could unravel the very fabric of the family, potentially connecting to the present-day events and even other mysteries unfolding within the hotel. Eva Longoria’s presence, even in flashbacks, adds a powerful emotional weight to this unfolding narrative, hinting at deeper betrayals and hidden truths that have long haunted the halls of the Riviera Grand.

The complex family dynamics at the Riviera Grand add another layer of drama, particularly concerning Gigi and Santiago. Gigi’s marriage to Santiago after Beatriz’s death created palpable tension, especially with Santiago’s children, Javi and Alicia. Their resentment towards Gigi was a consistent theme early in the season, fueled by grief and a sense of displacement. However, Bryan Craig offered a tantalizing glimpse into a potential shift in this strained relationship. “I can say before Javi’s father and Gigi got together, Javi and Gigi were very close,” he shared, highlighting a pre-existing bond that viewers may not have fully grasped. This past closeness suggests that their current animosity might not be as deeply rooted as it appears, or at least that there’s a foundation for reconciliation. Moreover, Craig hinted at a significant development: “I can also say that by the end of the season, they may not hate each other so much anymore.” This suggests that events, perhaps linked to Beatriz’s secret or other revelations, will force them to re-evaluate their feelings and potentially forge a new, more understanding relationship. Such a shift would be monumental, given the animosity that has defined their interactions, and could redefine the internal politics of the Mendoza family and the control of the Grand Hotel itself.

As for the central mystery of Sky’s disappearance, Bryan Craig confirmed that viewers will indeed “find out what happened at the end of the season,” promising a definitive resolution that will tie together many of the season’s threads. Crucially, Javi’s role in this mystery is significant, adding another layer of complexity to his character. Craig emphasized the interconnectedness of all storylines within Grand Hotel, stating, “Everyone’s involved in everyone’s storyline in one way or another.” This intricate web ensures that no character or event exists in isolation, making even seemingly minor players potentially vital to the larger narrative. “Even characters right now you might think are so not important, they’re very important,” he stressed, encouraging viewers to pay close attention to every detail. The most exciting promise, however, comes with the guarantee of an unpredictable conclusion. Craig confidently asserted, “I can confidently say that no one will be able to guess what happened.” He recounted the cast’s own surprise at the finale’s revelations: “I remember when we all went to the last table read for the season finale, and no one got it right.” This builds immense anticipation for the show’s climax, assuring fans that the payoff will be well worth the wait. The intricate plotting, the rich character development, and the promise of shocking twists make Grand Hotel a must-watch series. Don’t miss the unfolding drama and the ultimate revelations. Grand Hotel airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.