A Superstore Reunion! Nico Santos Talks Returning to NBC for St. Denis Medical
Nico Santos is back in the world of NBC mockumentaries, trading Cloud 9 for the underfunded halls of St. Denis Medical. The beloved actor, famous for his role as Mateo Liwanag in Superstore, recently made a guest appearance as a veteran registered nurse named Rene, a character already making waves with his "Regina George" demeanor.
In a series of interviews, Santos opened up about reuniting with familiar faces, the importance of Filipino representation, and the fun of playing a character who isn't afraid to speak his mind.
The "Filipino Mafia" at St. Denis
Santos described his time on set as a "homecoming" because 90 to 95% of the cast and crew, from writers to hair and makeup artists, are also Superstore alums. He shared scenes with his former co-star Kaliko Kauahi (who plays nurse Val on St. Denis Medical), whose character perfectly described Rene's clique of highly competent nurses as the "Filipino mafia".
"It was great to be able to work with family," Santos told NBC Insider, though he joked that he was upset he didn't share any actual scenes with Kauahi this time around.
Rene: The "Regina George" of Nursing
Santos' character, Rene, is described as a sharp-tongued veteran nurse who leads an intimidating, "Mean Girls" clique. His strong personality and open disdain for head nurse Alex (played by Allison Tolman) provided plenty of comedic conflict in the episodes "Salamat You Too" (Season 1) and "A Waste of Time and Marble" (Season 2, Episode 8). All episodes are available on Peacock.
In an interview with That Hashtag Show, Santos mentioned he enjoys playing a character who speaks his mind, while also appreciating the opportunity to voice some of the real-life concerns that nurses may have.
Championing Essential Workers and Representation
For Santos, the role provided an opportunity to continue the work he started on Superstore — showcasing the lives of essential workers.
He feels both Superstore and St. Denis Medical are important in highlighting the essential, hardworking individuals who are often underappreciated. Santos also takes pride in portraying his Filipino heritage authentically on screen.