Rafael de la Fuente’s career is on the Rise…

The 29-year-old Venezuelan television actor and singer has joined the cast of When We Rise, ABC’s eight-hour miniseries about the gay rights movement.

Written/executive produced by Dustin Lance Black and Bruce Cohen, the mini chronicles the personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights struggle.

de la Fuente will play Ricardo, who ends up in a long-term relationship with the character Cleve.

de la Fuente most recently played Michael Sanchez on Fox’s hit series Empire.