With the meteoric rise in popularity of shows like ‘Money Heist’ and ‘Narcos’, Spanish television has gained a fast-expanding fan base all around the world. The added exposure means more people become aware of some of the best shows Latin America and Spain have to offer.
One of the greatest exports of the Spanish culture in television has been the ‘Telenovela’ or Spanish soap opera, a single self-contained story typically told over a year and exhibiting a concise and fast-paced style of melodrama. There are many other genres where one may find good options to explore with comedy being one such avenue. Here is a list of the 10 best Spanish comedy series that you must watch:
1. Club de Cuervos (Club of Crows)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Luis Gerardo Méndez, Mariana Treviño, Jesús Zavala, Antonio de la Vega, Said Sandoval, Stephanie Cayo
When the owner and president of a Mexican football club dies, it’s down to his two children to take over the responsibility. However, the siblings do not see eye to eye and scramble for control over the club and its day to day operations.
Focusing on the ins and outs of running a football club and keeping everyone satisfied, Netflix’s first Spanish original series sets a very high bar with its exciting setting and the perfect balance between comedy and drama.
2. El Vato
Available on: Netflix
Cast: El Dasa, Cristina Rodlo, Ricardo Polanco, Gustavo Egelhaaf, Horacio Castelo, Mauricio Martinez
When a budding musician named El Vato arrives in Los Angeles with his best friends after signing a lucrative contract with a record company, they assume that they’ve finally hit the big time. It’s not long before it all comes crashing down and they realize that to achieve their dreams, they will have to work so much harder than before.
This show is based on the life of real-life Mexican singer, El Dasa, and captures the thrills and ills of the illustrious musical world of LA, California brilliantly.
3. Un Bandido Honrado (The Good Bandit)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Ana María Arango, Katherine Porto, Jimena Duran, Isabella Barragán, Diego Vásquez, Carolina Acevedo
A Colombian drug-lord begins to regret his life choices and decides to take the path of reform as he repents for his sins while trying everything he can to stay away from all temptation.
The show hilariously portrays a criminal trying to learn how to be good and all the funny obstacles that lie in wait on his road to redemption.
4. Acapulco
Available on: Apple TV+
Cast: Enrique Arrizon, Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Vanessa Bauche, Raphael Alejandro
A young man gets hired at one of the hottest resorts in Acapulco, but slowly realizes that the job he signed up for is far more complicated than could have possibly imagined. Luckily, he’s got his best friend there with him as they experience a variety of situations during their employment.
A Spanish and English language show, Acapulco explores the wide range of eccentric residents that one finds at a resort and also how life was in a completely different time in Mexico.
5. Paquita Salas
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Brays Efe, Belén Cuesta, Lidia San José, Álex de Lucas, Anna Castillo, Yolanda Ramos, Mariona Terés
Paquita Salas is a talent agent who is way beyond her prime. When her most famous and profitable client leaves, it’s up to her to begin reinventing herself to keep up with the times and lift her flailing talent agency with the help of her trusty assistant and a scrappy handyman.
This series can be considered something of a sleeper hit that gained surprise success on a local channel before being picked by Netflix. With a fourth season confirmed to be in the works, it is fair to say this side-splitting series is a bonafide triumph.
6. Vida perfecta (Perfect Life)
Available on: HBO Max
Cast: Leticia Dolera, Celia Freijeiro, Aixa Villagrán, Enric Auquer, Font García, Manuel Burque, Cocó Salvador
3 best friends in their 30s are going through various crises in their lives and they only have each other to turn to for support. A story about love, friendship, adulthood and everything in between that is bound to tug at your heartstrings and also make you chuckle and groan at the oftentimes relatable mess they get themselves into.
Vida Perfecta has won several awards for its wonderful screenplay and fabulous acting which is why it is highly recommended.
7. La casa de las flores (The House of Flowers)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Cecilia Suárez, Claudette Maillé, Dario Yazbek Bernal, Juan Pablo Medina, Aislinn Derbez, Alexa de Landa, Norma Angélica
When a family patriarch’s dirty secrets are exposed by his mistress, it is up to his wife to pick the pieces and maintain the facade of their loving, happy family. Hijinks ensue as every member of the family has something to hide which makes everything more complicated.
The series aims the satirize the traditional telenovela while shining a light on many modern issues in the LGBTQ+ communities, all while maintaining its comedic origins.
8. Pequeñas coincidencias (Little Coincidences)
Available on: Prime Video
Cast: Marta Hazas, Javier Veiga, Mariano Peña, Juan Ibáñez Pérez, Alicia Rubio, Tomás Pozzi
Marta and Javier are two adults who never had any designs of settling down in their lives, until one special day when they suddenly experience a strange phenomenon that compels these two strangers to seek out each other and settle down. The only way they can hope of finding each other is with the help of a whole lot of little coincidences.
A lovely romantic comedy that explores the inner workings of a relationship and the age where you’re looking for more in life, this series promises to give you an enjoyable experience.
9. Betty en NY
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Elyfer Torres, Erick Elias, Amaranta Ruiz, Sabrina Seara, Sheyla Tadeo
Beatriz Aurora Rincón Lozano is an aspiring woman who goes through life forced to deal with a barrage of insults due to her unkempt image. Working at a fashion magazine, ‘Betty’ has to overcome daily ridicule as she aims to prove that you don’t need just looks to succeed in such a cruel and superficial industry.
Betty en NY is just one of the many international adaptations of a classic Colombian telenovela that proves that this story transcends cultural boundaries and is a joy to watch.
10. Madre Solo hay Dos (Daughter from Another Mother)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Liz Gallardo, Javier Ponce, Ludwika Paleta, Paulina Goto, Martín Altomaro, Dalexa, Nora Velázquez
When two women find out that their children were switched at birth, they come up with a plan to adjust their lives to fix this mix-up, forming a very peculiar blended family. With two opposing personalities, it becomes an interesting exercise in adapting to each other’s habits and sensibilities.
‘Daughter from Another Mother’ is a sweet story that dives deep into the struggle of becoming a mother but also all the joy and happiness that comes attached. This series is a very nice casual watch for those that want to just relax and take in some light humour.
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