Alfea Academy fencing instructor Saul Silva has some seriously bad-ass moves, but who exactly is the man under that mask? Robert James-Collier, the actor who plays Saul, recently sat down with me to chat about his character and what makes him so awesome. Check out our interview below! Saul Silva: Robert James-Collier’s take on the fencing instructor and Sky’s guardian
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Who is Saul Silva?
Robert James-Collier plays Saul Silva, the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian, in Fate: The Winx Saga. He was mentored by Sky’s father and raised Sky after his death. In the show, Saul is a firm believer in destiny and fate. He also has a deep respect for nature and the natural world. When I’m doing my work with the blade, it becomes like an extension of myself, he says. I feel really close to it because I’ve spent so much time trying to get that level of fluidity.
This man cannot be broken
When it comes to Saul Silva, played by Robert James-Collier, you can’t help but feel a sense of admiration. He was mentored by Sky’s father and raised Sky after his death. In Fate: The Winx Saga, he is the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian. His bond with Sky is unbreakable, and he will do whatever it takes to protect him. Even though Saul is a man of few words, his actions speak volumes.
We’ve seen him come to Alfea in order to try and find out what happened to Sky when he disappeared during the Moltens attack. We’ve also seen that while he appears tough on the outside, there are moments where we see how much pain is behind those eyes. And although his story has yet to be revealed in full, we know that it has shaped who he is today – not just as an individual but as someone who cares deeply for those around him.
Obsession fuels success
Obsession is often seen as a negative trait, but when it comes to success, it can be a powerful motivator. Just ask Saul Silva, the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian on Fate: The Winx Saga. He was mentored by Sky’s father and raised Sky after his death. The relationship between me and Sky is like an old man talking to a boy, he says. It feels good.
Pushing yourself to your limits
Robert James-Collier is no stranger to taking on physically demanding roles. From his days as a professional rugby player to his recent turn as Saul Silva in Fate: The Winx Saga, he’s always up for a challenge. And that’s what he loves about acting. It’s so varied, he says. I’ll be playing football one day and then I’ll be doing sword fighting the next.
Sometimes life can throw you surprises
When Robert James-Collier was cast as Saul Silva in Fate: The Winx Saga, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Saul is a complicated character with a lot of depth, and Robert has done an amazing job bringing him to life. There’s been a mixed reaction from the fans so far – some people are feeling very nostalgic about the old show while others are intrigued by this new approach.
After working together for three years now, Robert and I have grown close to one another, which made it hard when they cut Saul out of season 3! We’re excited for this coming season because we’re going to be in it more – hopefully that means we’ll be able to develop our relationship even more.
One thing at a time
As the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian, Saul Silva is a complicated character. He was mentored by Sky’s father and raised Sky after his death. In Fate: The Winx Saga, Robert James-Collier brings a multifaceted performance to the role. I see him as having a very masculine presence, he says. He loves strong women but he also has that matriarchal quality to him.
I see him as having a very masculine presence, he says. He loves strong women but he also has that matriarchal quality to him. And as far as keeping up with all of those kids? There are so many children in this show! he laughs. The set where we shoot is like Fort Knox!
Accept what you can’t change
Change is a natural part of life, and it can be tough to accept that some things are beyond our control. In Fate: The Winx Saga, Robert James-Collier portrays Saul Silva, the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian. While Saul didn’t have an easy life, he learned to accept what he couldn’t change and focus on what he could. He has this amazing philosophy, says James-Collier. It’s just not worth being angry or frustrated with something you can’t do anything about. He also takes care of his ward, Sky, who was orphaned after his father died in a duel gone wrong when she was very young.
I’ll never give up
Robert James-Collier is best known for his roles in Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones, but in Fate: The Winx Saga, he takes on the role of Saul Silva, the fencing instructor at Alfea and Sky’s guardian. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, James-Collier talks about his character and what it was like to switch gears from period dramas to a fantasy world. I love doing something different, says James-Collier. The last time I did anything remotely like this was when I did TV series Merlin.
