Francesc Orella i Pinell (Catalan pronunciation: [fɾənˈsɛzg uˈɾɛʎə]; born 11 June 1957) is a Spanish actor of cinema, television, theater and dubbing mainly known for his title role in the series Merlí on TVC.

In June 2009, he was awarded the National Theatre performance "strong, unique, compelling, moving and flawless" in theater productions of all records.

[1] Born in Barcelona in 1957, he graduated from the Institut del Teatre in his hometown, and later moved to the United States to study at the Herbert Berghoff Studio (HB Studio) in New York City where he studied with actors such as John Strasberg, Carol Rosenfeld, Carlos Gandolfo, Genadi Karatkov and Bob McAndrew.

In 2015 he joined the cast of the new series Carlos, Rey Emperador where he gave life to Cardinal Adrian of Utrecht.

[2][3] He plays a professor of Philosophy who encourages his students to think freely through unorthodox methods, a man who has a seductive and intense sex life.