Rafael Solano

Rafael Solano is one of the main characters in the series Jane the Virgin.
He is portrayed by Justin Baldoni.

A textbook bad boy before his cancer, Rafael is Emilio Solano's older son and Luisa's brother. Rafael was a notorious playboy who partied and was arrested several times (including a stunt in Bora-Bora that leaves Jane horrified when she finds out about it). Getting cancer a year and a half ago changed his life for the better, and he vowed to get rid of all the bad things in his life (including his wife).

Rafael's mother left after his fourth birthday, leaving him to be raised by his father and a string of step-mothers.

2009
Rafael plays tennis at the Golden Harbor Yacht Club. He meets a waitress who works at the restaurant, Jane. She makes him grilled cheese and they talk about her life plan. He tells her to be brave and kisses her. Rafael promises to call but then doesn't.

2010
Four years ago, he was under the assumption that he would be receiving the keys to his father's kingdom - meaning he would be named CEO to his father's business. Instead Emilio gave the position to Rafael's nemesis, Lachlan. Out of revenge, Rafael stole Lachlan's new fiancée, Petra, and married her.

2011
Newlyweds Petra and Rafael are on vacation on Miami and staying at The Marbella. Petra is pregnant and they joyfully discuss their upcoming baby. Rafael considers cashing in his trust fund to buy the hotel.

2012
A year before the series starts, Rafael is diagnosed with cancer. He saves a sample of his sperm so he and Petra can eventually have a baby in the future. The cancer changes his entire outlook on life, and he starts considering putting an end to his failed marriage. However, out of gratitude for Petra for helping him during his illness, he stays married to her.

Present
When the series begins, Rafael has been married to Petra for four years; according to their prenup, if they divorce after five years of marriage Petra is entitled to 10 million dollars as compensation. She nursed him back to health when he was being treated for cancer, but Rafael fell out of love with her along the way. Knowing her marriage is on the rocks and desperate to stay married long enough to cash in the prenup, Petra decides to use Rafael's sample behind his back. He's stunned when he finds out she was seemingly inseminated with his sample, and then his shock grows when he finds out another woman is accidentally pregnant with his baby.