Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Wagner Moura

Release Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Rachel Martin, NPR
Guest: Wagner Moura (actor, director—“The Secret Agent,” “Narcos”)

Episode Overview

This deeply personal and illuminating episode of Wild Card sees acclaimed Brazilian actor and director Wagner Moura join Rachel Martin to answer unpredictable, thought-provoking questions from the show’s signature Wild Card deck. Moura, fresh from his history-making Oscar nomination for “The Secret Agent,” opens up about core values, creative fulfillment, political activism, aging, family, and the mystical moments of both art and everyday life. The conversation flows seamlessly between the professional and the personal, all grounded in Moura’s fiercely independent spirit and thoughtful approach to both art and existence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Presence on Stage (00:15–00:34; 34:31–36:49)

• Divine Experiences in Performance:
  Wagner describes rare, transcendent moments on stage when something beyond performer and audience emerges:

  “There’s some moments on the stage that there is a connection. Something happens... it’s divine.” (Wagner, 00:18, 36:31)

• He likens this “third thing” to a spiritual force, something unknowable yet palpable that connects all involved in a ritualistic, almost sacred way.

Lessons from Elders and Artistic Heritage (02:21–04:57)

• Family Lessons:
  Wagner shares that his parents instilled a deep respect and reverence for elders, which went on to shape his approach to working with veteran artists:

  “Every time I meet up an actor that looks like in their 85, 90s right now, I know there is a reverence that I have towards these people... that’s very important to me.” (Wagner, 03:08)

• Mentors and Ephemeral Art:
  He fondly recalls director Adebao Freddy Filho and reflects on the unique, impermanent legacy of theater.

Joy, Ambition, and Artistic Integrity (05:07–09:01; 07:43–08:55)

• Evolving Priorities:
  Wagner recounts the universe nudging him in recent years to “just relax”—to find joy daily and avoid getting lost in ambition:

  “Just, yeah, have fun. Enjoy, you know, enjoy each moment of your life. Like, it’s here, we’re here. I’m here with you. And let’s enjoy this moment.” (Wagner, 06:44)

• Resisting Career Pressures:
  Despite global recognition after “Narcos,” he intentionally avoided being swept along by expectation or pigeonholed roles:

  “I always, kind of, did the opposite of what was expected.” (Wagner, 07:54)

Beauty, Mysticism, and Connection (09:06–10:34)

• Early Encounter with Beauty and the Mystical:
  Wagner recalls a formative experience as a teenager in Brazil, watching dawn break alone while reflecting on his future and the universe:

  “I could see the light changing ... I could see the curve of the earth ... I felt a very strong feeling of happiness and connection to the universe.” (Wagner, 10:14)

The Making of “The Secret Agent” & Political Courage (14:28–22:03)

• Genesis of the Film:
  Wagner outlines his long collaboration with director Kleber Mendonça Filho, emphasizing their shared beliefs in the inseparability of art and politics, and their opposition to Brazil’s recent authoritarian turn.
• Facing Political Censorship:
  Discussing his earlier directorial film, “Marigela,” he describes personal consequences of political activism and government censorship:

  “How could I be doing a film about a freedom fighter and not fight for that film to be released?” (Wagner, 17:15) “The hardest thing was because I felt that we were not talking the same language ... we are not talking about the same reality, which comes through.” (Wagner, 18:23)

Stereotypes, Steadfastness, and Artistic Coherence (21:51–22:44)

• Resisting Typecasting:
  Wagner reflects on refusing roles that perpetuate Latin stereotypes post-“Narcos,” despite financial temptations:

  “There were moments where I was like, oh, I really need that money, man... but I can’t do this... otherwise I’ll be miserable.” (Wagner, 22:03) “It feels good to look back and go, like, I thank God it didn’t bend. Yeah, it feels coherent. It feels good.” (Wagner, 22:34)

Moments of Comfort, Disappointment, and Growth (23:09–32:42)

• Simple Comforts:
  Wagner shares a moving story of his cat soothing him with its purrs during a difficult moment:

  “That was so therapeutic. I felt like a connection between us, and I was so grateful for him.” (Wagner, 24:18)

• Finding Blessings in Disappointment:
  The pandemic, which interrupted his career momentum after a move to LA, unexpectedly gifted him deep new connections with his family.

  “I spent time with them in a way I had never done before. I could look at each one of them separately and really listen to them...” (Wagner, 28:26)

Surprises of Aging & Self-Acceptance (30:11–32:42)

• Body and Mind:
  Aging brings challenges, especially in sports like jiu-jitsu, but also clarity and self-acceptance:

  “I like myself a lot... I like who I am. I’m happy with the kind of person that I am and the things that I have to say.” (Wagner, 31:08–31:28)

The Sacred, Ritual, and Art as Prayer (34:31–40:22)

• Spiritual Upbringing, Spiritual Art:
  Wagner, who does not believe in God in the traditional sense, describes the theatre as a kind of ritual akin to prayer:

  “There are things going on. For sure. There are things going on... all the dimensions. I don’t know what it is.” (Wagner, 36:39) “When you repeat a gesture and you repeat an action, for many, many, many, many times, those actions, they gain meaning and they gain, like the ritual.” (Wagner, 38:05)

• Acting as a Spiritual Practice:
  He loves the unpredictable, living aspect of both theater and film:

  “That’s the beauty of acting for me... you know, each single take can be different... It’s the most beautiful and exciting thing about acting.” (Wagner, 39:30–40:04)

Reflecting on Mortality (40:35–43:16)

• Wagner faces the topic of death without fear, aspiring to a long life, but also finding gratitude in mortality:

  “We have to understand, like, this is the only certainty that we all have ... somehow we should be grateful for that, you know, because that’s what gives meaning to our lives.” (Wagner, 41:48)

Time Machine: Cherished Memories (43:24–45:22)

• Most Precious Moments:
  Wagner would linger in the memory of holding his first son after birth—a “mystical” and divine experience—or revisit his last conversation with his father:

  “That was another mystical experience ... I would do everything to just to feel that again.” (Wagner, 44:10)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On choosing joy and presence:

  “I’ve been telling myself, like, just, yeah, have fun. Enjoy, you know, enjoy each moment of your life.”
  (Wagner Moura, 06:44)

• On political struggle:

  “It’s really hard... people are living in different mental states. That’s what’s separating us. It’s like we are not living in the same world.”
  (Wagner Moura, 18:23)

• On acting and ritual:

  “When you repeat a gesture and you repeat an action... those actions, they gain meaning and they gain, like, the ritual.”
  (Wagner Moura, 38:05)

• On mortality:

  “We have to understand... this is the only certainty that we all have, is that we all are going to die. And somehow we should be grateful for that... that’s what gives meaning to our lives.”
  (Wagner Moura, 41:48)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Divine moments in theater: 00:15, 34:31–36:49
• Early value of respecting elders: 02:21–04:57
• Choosing joy over ambition: 06:44–08:55
• Art, politics, and the making of “The Secret Agent”: 14:28–22:03
• Turning down stereotypical roles: 21:51–22:44
• Pandemic as personal blessing: 27:52–29:37
• Aging and self-acceptance: 30:11–32:42
• Art as ritual/prayer: 38:05–40:22
• On death and gratitude: 41:48–43:16
• Cherished memory—birth of his son: 43:58–45:22

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is honest, warm, and searching—full of laughter, gratitude, and moments of vulnerability. Wagner Moura is thoughtful, candid, and gentle, regularly reflecting on the large and small moments of life with humility and poetic insight.

For Listeners

This is an episode for anyone curious about the deeper motivations and beliefs of great artists, the personal costs of integrity, and the search for meaning in both creative and everyday routines. Wagner Moura’s reflections are timeless and human—perfectly embodying the Wild Card spirit of connection, candor, and shared humanity.