Many Hollywood actresses get stuck playing dowdy or matronly roles once they pass a certain age — if they get any work at all. On the new NBC television series “Telenovela” — about the backstage drama on a Spanish soap opera — the mature diva Isabela Santamaria (brilliantly played by Alex Meneses) manages to maintain her sexiness despite constantly being overshadowed by her much younger co-stars.

“My character is an older girl, but the genius behind the show, and one of the things that makes it very different, is the fact that we aren’t victim to ageism. She’s bitchy and she’s crazy. She’s strong, sexy, unapologetic and is a force to be dealt with,” explained Meneses during an exclusive interview with Headlines & Global News. “I can identify with getting older in Hollywood; it’s tough. Hollywood is not easy on old broads.”

We’re very surprised that the ALMA Award-nominated Meneses has problems securing roles. The beautiful actress and former international model looks much younger than her real age, 50. In fact, she has to work hard to make herself appear older when playing Isabela, especially since the character’s exact age is unknown and a running gag throughout the series. “I age myself. I draw lines on my face, around my eyes, to make wrinkles,” she revealed. “We’re not really sure of Isabela’s age. She might be 53, she might be 112. Everyone has a stab at her age.”

The mystery surrounding Isabela’s age is just one of the many reasons that Meneses loves her new gig. “I’m just so lucky to get a part like this. It’s so wonderfully delicious,” she gushed.

Three episodes of “Telenovela” were previewed late last year before the show officially premiered in its regular timeslot Monday, Jan. 4, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The half-hour comedy revolves around Eva Longoria’s character Ana Sofia Calderon, who is the star of the soap opera “Las Leyes de Pasión.” The overly-dramatic Ana Sofia has to deal with a new boss (Zachary Levi), the hiring of her ex-husband (Jencarlos Canela) as her new on-screen paramour and the antics of the jealous co-star played by Meneses.

“I’ve known Eva forever,” said Meneses about Longoria, who is also one of the show’s executive producers. “Two years ago, at the ALMA Awards, we were partying and hanging out together at the after-party. We have a blast shooting the show!” However friendly they are in real life, Meneses and Longoria play “frenemies” on-screen.

“It’s funny because the second episode is called ‘Evil Twin,’ and it’s about my evil twin coming to visit me on our birthday. It’s so crazy and good,” said Meneses. “At the end of the show, Ana Sofia and Isabela talk to each other about what just happened and we come together as friends — and they cut that! They cut that little 20-second back-and-forth. I said to the producers, ‘Why’d you cut that?’ [They said], ‘It’s too long and you can’t really be friends anyway.’ I was like, ‘Oh, no! Sensationalism! Thanks a lot, guys!’”

Meneses — who is of Mexican-American descent on her father’s side and Ukrainian-American on her mother’s — said she used to watch “General Hospital” when she was younger, but hadn’t seen any Spanish-language soaps until she was cast in “Telenovela.”

“I started watching ‘Celia,’ about [the late Cuban singer] Celia Cruz,” she admitted. “I’m addicted to it! It’s ridiculous because everybody’s crying or making out all the time on the show. I’m watching it going, ‘This is so crazy, but I can’t stop watching!’” Hopefully, TV viewers will feel the same way about Meneses’ series.

“People are obsessed with Hollywood and stars and being famous and how things work,” she said about the recent trend of scripted programs focusing on what goes on behind-the-scenes at TV studios, like “30 Rock,” “Episodes” and “UnReal.” “I think people like it a lot.”

When asked if she was worried that some of the magic of television might be revealed on her show, Meneses said: “I think audiences are getting more sophisticated, especially kids. It’s harder to fool them because of computers, the Internet, Instagram. People want to find out what’s going on whether you want them to or not.”

Since, the cast already shot a full season’s worth of episodes of “Telenovela,” Meneses can focus on other projects, including running her own production company (OOLaLa Productions/LADDS Entertainment), various philanthropy and volunteer efforts (for the likes of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and United Hope for Animals) and, most importantly, taking care of her 4-year-old daughter Stella.

Meneses really has no preference between comedies and dramas when choosing a role. “The most important thing for me is just the integrity of the work, to make it as real and moving as possible,” she said. “Whether it’s to make somebody laugh or cry, it’s got to come from the gut.”

Later this year, Meneses will be featured in the film “Ripped.” “It’s about two kids who fell asleep for 30 years because they smoked pot that was so strong,” she explained. “I play Russell Peters’ girlfriend who he is now seeing 30 years later. It’s really crazy! I saw it, and I’m so happy that it’s really funny.”

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