Culpa Nuestra is the latest in the smash-hit Culpables franchise. The film, based on the New York Times bestselling book trilogy by Mercedes Ron, drops on Prime Video on October 16.
The Culpables saga includes the films Culpa Mia (My Fault, 2023), Culpa Tuya (Your Fault, 2024) and now Culpa Nuestra (Our Fault, 2025). It centres on Noah (Nicole Wallace) whose life is upended when her mother marries a billionaire, leading her to move in with her new stepbrother, Nick (Gabriel Guevara), who has a dangerous lifestyle. Despite their conflicting personalities and their new familial relationship, Noah and Nick are drawn to each other. Culpa Nuestra brings this story to a conclusion, seeing the characters mature but also face more complex challenges.
A worldwide hit as a franchise, Culpa Tuya, the second instalment, is the most watched International Original on Prime Video to date. Culpa Nuestra’s teaser trailer was the most-watched trailer ever of any original streaming film, with more than 163 million views.
On TikTok alone, Culpables-related content has garnered an astounding 2.7 billion views, while the book trilogy has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, while amassing over 86 million reads on Wattpad (where the author originally started to publish the book). Reason enough for t2 to get on a video call with Mercedes Ron to chat about her remarkable journey and that of her bestselling trilogy.
Congratulations on the final film in the Culpables trilogy. While you were done with the books quite some time ago, does the ending of the saga on screen also feel like a bittersweet experience?
I am sad and happy at the same time. I finished writing these books a long time ago and with the movies, it felt like I was revisiting the same emotions and being with the same characters once more. I am very sad that it is ending but I am also very pleased and happy with how the adaptation has turned out, and I hope the audiences feel the same too.
A decade has lapsed between you writing the first book and the release of the final film. If you look at it, it is a rather short time. Did it ever feel overwhelming to you?
With the Culpables saga, I knew that if it ended up in good hands (for its screen adaptation), it could be something big. I don’t know why I felt that way, but I am very happy that it happened. I think believing in yourself is important, especially if you are in the creative field. If you are writing a book or making a song or making a movie, you really need to believe in yourself. Looking back, it did feel a little overwhelming at times, but I am so happy and so thankful to the fans of the books.
Are the fans of the book similar or different from the fans of the films? Did making the films open up your writing to a whole new audience?
I think the reactions were kind of similar. The first movie (Culpa Mia, 2023) was a great opportunity for me to have the book translated into so many languages. What I really like about the feedback is that a large majority have loved the books as well as the movies. We have a very large ‘Culpables’ community out there. Everything is bigger now, but it is also everything I ever dreamt of.
What really touches my heart is when readers come to me and and tell me that I saved their lives or that they started reading because of me. That is the best kind of compliment, and honestly, I can resonate when someone says that a book saved their lives. When I was a teenager, reading helped me get through a lot in life, it helped me forgive. So I feel very happy when my writing does the same for a young girl or boy.
What do you think it is about the characters — especially Noah and Nick — that you have created in this series that has made such an indelible place in people’s hearts?
We are all very used to reading and watching love stories between the good girl and the bad boy. But Noah (Nicole Wallace) is not the traditional good girl... she is a rebel who really knows what she wants. She is never scared of fighting back... she is an amazing girl. I think that dynamic has been interesting to read and watch. Again, Nick (Gabriel Guevara) may come across as the quintessential bad guy, but we get to see that he has a really big heart. That appeals to people.
For you, what makes Nicole and Gabriel the ideal actors to play Noah and Nick?
The chemistry that they have really makes the audience love them. As an author, I have never really cared whether their physical descriptions fit those in my books — like whether Gabriel had Nick’s eyes or not — as long as they were able to grasp the essence of their respective characters. The way they have played these characters till now makes me believe that Nicole is Noah and Gabriel is Nick.
Do you see a part of you in them?
Yes. But when I write, I like to get away from my life. I don’t like writing about myself because it is not that fun! (Laughs) But yes, people who know me and read my books are always telling me: ‘Oh my God, this is you!’ I like that, I think it is special.
You mentioned about how reading ‘rescued’ you as a young girl. Was there a particular title or genre that resonated with you the most?
The Twilight saga (by Stephenie Meyer) made me a reader. Everything that happened after that to set me on this life and this career path has been because of those books. Even Harry Potter. All the fantasy, romantic stuff I read as a young girl have a permanent place in my heart. I would love to write fantasy some day.
Do you have a set process as a writer?
I am kind of a disaster in life! (Laughs) I do try and write every morning. It is now my job and I have deadlines and contracts I have signed that need to be honoured. A lot has changed since the days I would sit alone and write in my room. But I am happy with the change — I am working and I have a dream job. To answer your question, I do try and write a couple of hours every morning.
Is there a particular book you have read in the recent past that has left a lasting impact on you?
I read a lot! I really like Colleen Hoover’s books. That is my safe place. Whenever I don’t know what to read, I grab a book by Colleen Hoover. The good thing is that she writes a lot and hence, there are always a lot of options!
Which is your favourite Young Adult book-to-screen adaptation? Tell t2@abp.in