By Rashmi Goel
“Live By The Sun, Love By The Moon” With These Telenovelas
There's no better way to spend the hot sun than with some equally sultry telenovelas. It includes all of your favorite tropes, such as murder, revenge, enemies become lovers, love triangles, male shower scenes, lustful looks, and passionate embraces, all set against the backdrop of a tropical climate filled with tension. Most telenovelas have as a common theme the Latin American drug trade, an unfortunate fact of life in the countries where they originate. However, there are some lighter programs which embrace melodrama, comedy, and other such elements. When you think Netflix series end too soon, you'll be glad to know that telenovelas have no shortage of episodes to keep you hooked well into the summer months; most have over sixty episodes each!, In any case, there are likewise more carefree series that embrace paltriness and acting.
La Reina Del Sur
A Spanish-language telenovela based on the novel of the same name by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte, "La Reina del Sur" means "The Queen of the South." Based on the same-named literary work by Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the series is a television adaptation. It is the story of a Mexican woman's rise to power within the world of international drug trafficking. As a young woman in love with a pilot employed by the Mexican cartels, Teresa Mendoza begins her adventure as a humble young woman. After they execute her boyfriend, Teresa flees, desperate to escape the same fate. Trying to start over in a new country, she flees to the south of Spain. Yet she is once again caught in the world of narcotics trafficking, and for a second time, she suffers the loss of a loved one. Teresa decides to take charge and become the leader of her own organization after several blows. She managed to do this with the help of a woman she met in prison, who decided to share her fortune with her. In order to control an intercontinental drug distribution business, Teresa "La Mexicana" forms strategic alliances and possesses strong business sense. In spite of Teresa's success, she bears a high personal cost, and her happiness and heart are put to the test.
‘Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso’
Taking place in Colombia, Sin Senos S* Hay Para*so follows a pregnant mother, Hilda Santana (Catherine Siachoque), who is informed of the tragic death of her only daughter, Catalina Mar*n (Carmen Villalobos), by the cartel. The angst she feels upon hearing this causes her to go into premature labor. Catalina also gives birth to another daughter, which she also calls "La Pequena" ("The Small"), just as her older sister became "La Grande" ("The Big"). In order to keep Catalina from leaving Hilda's protection, Hilda erects a perimeter around the entry of her house to prevent her escaping her poverty and falling prey to a cartel. As well, she then unknowingly becomes involved with a cartel leader, Yésica Beltrán (Majida Issa), who has a grudge against La Grande. As a result, La Pequea, Hilda, and her dad, Albeiro Marn (Fabián R*os), as well as La Pequea's boyfriend, Hernán Daro (Juan Pablo Urrego), are all falsely imprisoned as the title implies that many young women in Colombia resort to being surgically enhanced so they can work as prostitutes and escape poverty. Hilda, on the other hand, has taught her daughters to avoid this route and live happy lives despite their circumstances. In this gripping soap opera, murder and revenge are at the center.
‘The Queen of Flow’
The Queen of Flow is in Colombia, set against the backdrop of the drug cartel. It follows a young singer/songwriter, Yeimy Montoya (Maria José Vargas), whose heart is broken by a heartless high school crush, Charly Cruz (Juan Manuel Restrepo), who identifies him when he robs his uncle, Diver Cruz "Manin" (Lucho Velasco), a high-ranking cartel member. As well as killing Yeimy's parents, Man*n is responsible for Yeimy's murder. Yeimy is also falsely imprisoned, but gets the opportunity to work undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and take down Manin and Charly. Having failed, she is given a new identity as a sought-after music producer, Tammy Andrade, and re-enters Charly's life to finally take revenge. In spite of love triangles and sweet revenge that dominate this telenovela, peace, true love, and beautiful reggaeton music provide a satisfying conclusion.
‘Undercover Law’
This Netflix original combines a thriller with Latin telenovela. This Colombian series follows characters who infiltrate the drug / narco scene to work undercover. While gathering information into an underworld they have become a part of, viewer is involved in the lives of several women struggling to keep their morals and heads above water. Several plot lines are connected in this one-off series that follows these characters into blurred lines. It is titled 'Undercover Law' on Netflix.
‘The Road to Love’
A light-hearted Colombian telenovela, but with some serious elements. Catherine Escobar Farfán, known as "La Chiqui," is the youngest daughter of a trucking family. Having learned that she is pregnant at 16 by a duplicitous man she has been dating, Samuel (Mario Espitia), she tells her father, Don Armando (César Mora). As soon as he hears about her, he ostracizes her and forces her to leave. It is La Chiqui's task to prevail in an industry dominated by machismo and traditional ideologies while proving to her male counterparts as well as her father that she has the same amount of brawn as any man. The Queen of Flow's Juan Manuel Restrepo also stars in the series as a much nicer and wholesome love interest to La Chiqui. In spite of societal prejudices, misogyny, and outdated perspectives, the telenovela is ultimately uplifting.
‘All for Love’
Fox Telecolombia produces the Colombian telenovela All For Love. Nubia Barreto created the series, which is based on the 1988 telenovela of the same name written by Germán Escallón and Carlos Duplat. The leader of Los Milagrosos group, Irene (Ana Mara Estupian), meets the mechanic Joaquin (Carlos Torres) when he arrives in the city with just what is on him. The two will cross their destinies while chasing their dreams, and they will soon realize they cannot live without each other, even though their struggle to be together will be intense and painful.
‘The Marked Heart’
Colombian mystery series the Marked Heart (Spanish: Pálpito) centers on a man looking for revenge on an organ trafficking ring. In order to remove Simon's wife's heart and transplant it into Camila, the wife of a wealthy man, Simon's wife is murdered. When Simon decides to seek revenge, he dives headfirst into the dangerous world of organ trafficking. Camila, the woman who survived thanks to her murdered mother's heart, will become his love during his frantic search. Together, they will discover the truth.
The House of Flowers
Manolo Caro's House of Flowers is a Mexican comedy-dramedy series about the de la Moro family. In the pilot episode of this Mexican soap opera, the family discovers the patriarch has a mistress. It's a modern update on the telenovela genre. Netflix's original series maintains the cliff-hangers and minute details of the plot, but with a high level of production quality (the costumes! the sets!), as well as progressive storylines.
Jane the Virgin
Daughter of a teen mother, Jane Villanueva was determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes. A routine trip to a clinic completely turns Jane's life upside down. She is studying to become a teacher, and she is engaged to a handsome detective who supports her decision to remain a virgin until marriage. As Jane becomes inseminated by a specimen meant for another patient, she finds out it's her boss, Rafael, who donated the sperm. She faces a lot of complex decisions about her future as her meticulously planned life gets more like the telenovelas she loves.
The Mafia Dolls
'The Mafia Dolls' is a television series created by Andrés Lopez and Juan Camilo Ferrand. It is directed by Luis Alberto Restrepo. Brenda, Olivia, Violeta, Renata, and Pamela are five friends who live in the fictional town of "El Carmen" in Colombia. They become further and further embroiled in intractable situations because of their involvement with drug kingpin Braulio Bermudez, his family and his lieutenants. Fernando Solórzano plays Bermuda, a "capo" operating out of "El Carmen."
Señora Acero
Senora Acero, which was renamed Senora Acero: La Coyote in season three, was written by Roberto Stopello, produced by Argos Comunicación and Telemundo Studios, and distributed by Telemundo Internacional. Sara, an innocent woman, is haunted by the death of her husband; subsequently, it is found that he was a drug dealer. In the process of becoming a drug-trafficking entrepreneur, Sara becomes a woman she never expected to be. While struggling to save her son from his severe diabetes and the opposing cartel, Sara lives a life of crime.
Jenni Rivera: Mariposa De Barrio
A biographical drama about a Mexican singer, in which Jenni Rivera follows in her footsteps towards a dream of fame. The plane crash that took the life of Janney "Jenni" Rivera occurred in 2012. With its 91 episodes, this telenovela based on her autobiography honors her legacy and is approved by her family. Rivera is conveyed by Angelica Celaya from the time she dreamed of stardom to the time when she achieved it. There are songs by Rivera in the actual drama, too, so you can sing along as you watch.
Élite
Elite is a Spanish teen drama thriller television series. With all the hijinks at Las Encinas, the private school where the characters attend in Spain, it's a miracle the characters have time to complete their homework. It's murder! There are love triangles! There are fake deaths! This series has it all. In future seasons, the show will continue with a new cast after the characters graduated from high school in season 3. Students from the working class are greeted with hostility and suspicion by their more privileged classmates when they are awarded scholarship to attend an elite secondary school. As a result of their enrollment, a conflict arises, resulting in a murder that changes their lives forever.
Dark Desire
Argos Comunicación produces Dark Desire, a Mexican thriller drama streaming television series. Known in Spanish as Oscuro Deseo, Dark Desire is the textbook definition of an erotic thriller, with tangled love triangles, somewhat dastardly romantic leads and women caught in the midst of deep emotion. Alma (Maite Perroni), a law school professor, meets a younger man (Alejandro Speitzer) while on vacation and begins an affair. As secrets about her marriage and friendships unfold, many more secrets emerge from that moment of destabilization.
Monarca
It is a Mexican streaming television series created and produced by Diego Gutiérrez. It is a telenovela masquerading as a glossy drama. Upon returning to Mexico to run a billion-dollar tequila company, Ana Mara (Irene Azuela) becomes embroiled in a family feud with her two brothers. The Salma Hayek-produced drama is filled with betrayal, revenge, and corruption.
Ingobernable
The story revolves around the murder of Mexico's president, Diego Nava Martinez (Erik Hayser). During his last hours, he attacks his wife, Emilia Urquiza (Kate del Castillo), in a rage. As they struggle, Emilia is knocked unconscious. After waking up, she finds Diego's bloody body cast off the balcony of the hotel room. In spite of leaving the gun in the bedroom, she still has the gun she pointed at him during their encounter. She therefore believes that someone else entered the room to kill Diego, then set her up to take the fall. As a result, she flees from the police. With her commitment to fighting for peace, Emilia Urquiza is the first lady of Mexico and has great plans to improve the country's conditions. At a crossroads in her marriage, Emilia will be forced to deal with a big challenge and discover the truth as she loses faith in her husband, President Diego Nava.
Club De Cuervos
Club de Cuervos, produced by Gary Alazraki and Michael Lam, is a streaming television series in Mexico. The series is set in Nuevo Toledo, Mexico, about a football team with an identity crisis after its owner, Salvador Iglesias Sr, dies. His son is chosen as the new president due to male-dominant cultural attitudes, even though his sister, Isabel, is better suited to run the team. It is Isabel's intention to do whatever possible to oust Chava from his position as leader, and she vows to defy him. Despite Chava's goal of turning the team into the Real Madrid of Latin America, he proves to be a poor decision-maker and often irks his subordinates, especially Vice President Felix Domingo and Coach Goyo. A major theme of the series is the relationships amongst the team members and how those relationships are affected by Chava's decisions.
Rosario Tijeras
The Mexican telenovela Rosario Tijeras was written and directed by Adriana Pelusi and Carlos Quintanilla. The film opens with its eponymous main character being shot, then rewinds five years to show how she got there. The story proceeds with love, violence, and a girl who gets a nickname for wielding scissors (really). This telenovela based on a Colombian novel features Barbara de Regil as Rosario, the series' title character.
El Señor De Los Cielos
El Luis Zelkowicz created the telenovela Senor de los Cielos based on an original idea by Mariano Calasso, and Andrés López. The story of El Senor de los Cielos makes for a perfect follow-up to Narcos: Mexico, as the series share the same central character: Amado Carrillo Fuentes, a Mexican drug lord who transports cocaine in a fleet of Boeing 727s. As a result of this scheme, Carillo Fuentes earned the nickname "Lord of the Skies." Rafael Amaya won awards for portraying a fictionalized version of the former leader of the Juarez cartel for seven seasons. The show is set in the same universe as other famous soaps, including La Do*a and Se*ora Acero, so expect crossovers.
La Doña
Based on the story of Dona Bárbara by Rómulo Gallegos, "La Dona" concerns revenge and ambition, betrayal and seduction. This story is told from the perspective of Altagracia who represents the hundreds of thousands of Mexican women who have been abused by men who are protected by impunity and a patriarchal culture. Five teenagers from prominent families rape Altagracia as a child and murder her parents in Altagracia's case. Altagracia emerged from the ashes a ruthless, strong-willed devourer of men, and with the assistance of an ex-husband, "La Dona" seeks revenge upon her abusers and any others she finds.
Silvana Sin Lana
The wealthy socialite Sivana "Chivis" (Maritza Rodr*guez) has three daughters. Chivis and her family are left broke and homeless when her husband flees from police before being arrested for fraud. It is forced upon her to move into a modest, middle-class neighborhood of working-class people. Her next-door neighbor Manuel (Carlos Ponce) runs a seafood business located in a fish market. The family of Manuel, his daughter, and three sons are wary of everyone in high society and have a hard time dealing with people from that social class. Upon meeting, however, the attraction increases, but they do their best not to disrupt balance between their lives and their families' lives, considering the difference in social status an obstacle to the love they feel.
