Rafael Amaya returns as Aurelio Casillas for "El Señor de los Cielos" tenth season

Rafael Amaya is set to return as the iconic Aurelio Casillas in the tenth season of the Telemundo series "El Señor de los Cielos." This comeback follows Amaya's previous departure from the role in 2024, a move that concerned many fans as the series continued without him, even spawning a spin-off titled "Dinastía Casillas."

Amaya described his return as "an homage to all the fans who have been there from the first season to the tenth." He stated the season is "for them and because they asked for it." The character of Aurelio Casillas is central to the series, portraying a powerful drug lord who builds a criminal empire. Since its debut in 2013, the character has undergone significant evolution.

In its initial season, Aurelio was depicted as an ambitious, cunning, charismatic, and ruthless trafficker aiming to become Mexico's most powerful capo using a fleet of drug-transporting planes. The tenth season, premiering in July, will see Aurelio Casillas return after disappearing from his own clan's radar. He seeks to regain power and avenge his family, ultimately crossing a line by betraying his own kin, which leads to the collapse of his empire.

Beyond reprising his role, Amaya will also serve as an executive producer, a position he believes lends a more personal touch to the project. The series itself is based on the life of Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the former leader of the Juárez Cartel, whose nickname inspired the show's title. Amaya, who turned 49 in February 2026, has previously spoken about his struggles with addiction, having undergone a five-month rehabilitation program, and described a period where he was nearly "invisible" in the series.