Luca De La Rosa is the son of Thony De La Rosa and Marco De La Rosa. After he was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening immunodeficiency disorder, his mother comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save him. He was initially portrayed by twins Sebastien and Valentino LaSalle in seasons 1-3. Beginning in season 4, Khalen Roman Sanchez took over as Luca.[1]
Biography[]
Background[]
Luca is the son of Marco De La Rosa and Thony De La Rosa. He is heavily immunocompromised, which leads to his mother bringing him to the U.S. for medical treatment.
Throughout the Series[]
Season 1[]
In season 1, Luca is often seen as weak and often bedridden. His immunocompromised state means that he often doesn't get to go out and play with other children. Throughout the first season, Luca's health is the primary focus of his narrative. His health struggle culminates in the need for him to receive an illegal organ transplant. For this to happen, his mother takes him across the border to Mexico with the help of Arman Morales. Upon their returrn to the U.S. Luca's father arrives, believing he can persuade Thony to return to the Philippines with him and Luca. She refuses, and at the end of season 1, Luca disappears in a cliffhanger along with his dad.
Season 2[]
For much of Season 2, Luca plays a minor role, his health remaining the focus of his narrative. He begins the season kidnapped by Marco who attempts to flee the country with him while Thony looks for him. He is eventually found holed up with Marco in a hotel. Luca is rescued by Thony, Fiona and Chris, but loses a parent when Marco dies after being pushed down a flight of stairs.
After Marco's death, Luca is seen showing worry for Chris, who is angry and distraught, having killed Marco to prevent him from hurting anyone else. Thony, Fiona and Jaz assure Luca that everything will be fine. Along with the rest of his family, Luca spends time with his grandparents, Jacinto and Alma, and attends his father's funeral. Luca becomes briefly upset when the adults begin fighting over his care, with Jacinto and Alma implying he might be better off being raised by them. In the end, however, they leave Luca in the care of his mother.
Luca begins to get sicker again, and by The Ask, a desperate Thony is working to get him a new medication.
Season 3[]
By the beginning of season 3, Luca is feeling well again after finding a new affordable medication during the events of Season 2. He is now healthy enough to be able to go to school, and is also shown playing sports. Most mentions of Luca's former immunocompromization are gone from this season, and he doesn't play as active a role as he did in seasons 1-2.
Season 4[]
In Season 4, Luca and his family begin a path to become legal citizens of the US. When the plans go awry, a terrified Thony packs her bags and Luca's, planning to return with him to the Philippines, However, Luca informs her that he doesn't wish to go and that his Tita Fi has told him that "...if someone's picking on you, you're not supposed to run away or else they'll just keep picking on you." Thony doesn't buy the tickets as a result, instead going home with Luca to Fiona's house.
However, circumstances change again for Luca in "Suspicious Minds", when Thony marries Jorge Sanchez to avoid testifying against him in criminal court. Luca and his mother move in with his new stepfather and stepsister in "Wrecking Ball". Initially, Luca seems to settle in, offering to play Filipino hopscotch with Violeta. Luca, who is unaccustomed to having security around at all times, is frightened by Jorge's guards and their guns. This becomes particularly evident when a coyote is shot and killed on the property.
The next evening, as Thony is tucking Luca in after spending the night at an event with Jorge and taking care of buisness, Luca confides in her that he misses their family and wants to go home. Thony reassures him that they have had many homes and this is just one more, and that her home is wherever he is.
Personality[]
At the beginning of the series, Luca is shown to be a very trusting child. He is extremely close to his mother and aunt, who he calls "Tita Fi" Luca's speech patterns are not as advanced as some children his age, leading some viewers to question if he is neurodivergent (although this has never been confirmed on or offscreen).
By season 3, Luca becomes very outgoing, if a bit socially awkward. With some of his health issues resolved, he is able to become more active and athletic, playing basketball for his school's team in From the Ashes.
Relationships[]
Familial[]
Thony De La Rosa[]
Thony is Luca's mother, who would do anything for him. They are extremely close and Luca adores her. She is the one who brings Luca to the United States hoping to find treatment for his illness. Luca and Thony are often seen cuddling as he feels unwell.
Fiona De La Rosa[]
Fiona is Luca's aunt, who he often calls "Tita Fi". Fiona is as fiercely protective of Luca as if he were her own child. She is often the one responsible for looking after Luca when Thony has to work. She is often at a loss as to how to take care of Luca, but she tries her best.
Chris De La Rosa[]
Chris and Luca are cousins and have an extremely close relationship. Chris is frequently seen playing with or keeping an eye on Luca when Thony or Fi is out. He and Luca get along well, and Luca feels comfortable around him. In Season 3, when Fiona & Chris are deported, Luca is often seen asking about Chris.
Jorge Sanchez[]
Jorge is Luca's stepfather, via a marriage of convenience/necessity to his mother, Thony to prevent her from testifying against Jorge in criminal court. Initially, Luca and Jorge have very little interaction, but when Thony and Luca move in with Jorge and his daughter Violeta in Season 4, Luca quickly adjusts to him. With Luca, the usually violent and cold Jorge attempts to be kind, even going so far as to hide a ring in a cereal box for Luca to give to his mom.
Violeta Sanchez[]
Violeta is Luca's stepsister, via his mother's marriage to Violeta's father. The two easily become fast friends upon moving in with one another following their parents marriage. Luca is shown offering to teach Violeta how to play piko, a Filipino hopscotch game.
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
Gallery[]
Promotional[]
.jpg "Luca De La Rosa (S3).jpg (17 KB)")
See also[]
Template:Characters