Netflix has been at the forefront when it comes to giving Spanish language television a platform in front of the whole world. Thanks to their efforts, audiences around the globe can get a glimpse of some of the most exciting series on offer.
There is a good collection of series with some intriguing stories being told that will have the audience at the edge of their seat and craving for more. Here are the 10 best Spanish thriller series that you must watch:
1. El inocente (The Innocent)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Mario Casas, Xavi Sáez, Santi Pons, Sam Feuer, Aura Garrido, Alexandra Jiménez
Mateo Vidal (Casas) gets into an argument and in the ensuing scuffle accidentally takes the life of the other person. After spending 4 years in prison, he gets out and begins living a stable life again with his wife, Olivia (Garrido). However, just when things start to look up, a mysterious phone call tied to Mateo’s past turns his life upside down.
Based on a Harlan Coben novel, this Spanish thriller has all the trademark twists and turns to keep you glued to the screen throughout.
2. La víctima número 8 (Victim Number 8)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: César Mateo, María de Nati, Verónika Moral, Iñaki Ardanaz, Farah Hamed, Lisi Linder
After a Jihadi attack in an old town in Bilbao that kills 7 and injures countless others, it falls on the authorities to investigate and find out who is responsible for this horrible action. Along the way, their investigation opens up a can of worms that raises more questions than answers in their search for the truth.
An engrossing Spanish thriller complemented by a steady pace and good writing makes this series a tense viewing experience.
3. El robo del siglo (The Great Heist)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Andrés Parra, Christian Tappan, Waldo Urrego, Marcela Benjumea, Édgar Vittorino, Kami Zea
In 1994, a group of thieves broke into the Bank of the Republic of Colombia and made away with 33 million US dollars. Chayo (Parra) is a lowly grifter stuck under a mountain of debt who contacts his old partner in the hopes of carrying out one last score to solve all their problems for the rest of their lives.
With a solid 6 episode run, this Spanish thriller is well structured and moves at a brisk pace keeping the excitement peaked at all times.
4. Oscuro deseo (Dark Desire)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Maite Perroni, Erik Hayser, Jorge Poza, Regina Pavón, Alejandro Speitzer, María de Villa
A college professor decides to have an affair with a young student in the hopes of adding some excitement to her life but her infidelity only leads to a trail of murder and betrayal. With the fate of so many people intertwined, the truth becomes just as valuable as gold.
Dark Desire was one of the most-watched non-English titles on Netflix upon release proving what an enthralling ride it is.
5. El Recluso (The Inmate)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Ignacio Serricchio, Ana Claudia Talancón, Flavio Medina, Luis Felipe Tovar, David Chocarro, Mariana Seoane
An ex-marine is tasked with infiltrating a Mexican prison under a false identity to investigate the kidnapping of the teenage daughter of a prominent U.S. judge. The prison is a hotbed of violent characters and lawlessness and Dante (Serricchio) needs to always watch his back to make sure he survives and locates the hostage.
A series that shifts between the grime of a Mexican prison and the concrete jungle of the U.S., ‘The Inmate’ has some really good character work that keeps it going from start to finish.
6. Historia de un crimen: Colmenares (Crime Diaries: Night Out)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Laura Osma, Camila Jurado, Juliana Velásquez, Fabiana Medina, Carlos Carvajal, Ernesto Campos
A young college student is found dead in a park after he was last seen attending a party on Halloween. The authorities investigate two women who were close to the boy as well as the ex-boyfriend of one of those girls to determine whether there was any foul play involved in his death.
Based on true events, this Spanish thriller is a magnificent portrayal of such a tragic story and all the little details that contributed to its outcome.
7. Falsa Indentidad (False Identity)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Luis Ernesto Franco, Samadhi Zendejas, Eduardo Yáñez, Barbie Casillas, Pepe Gámez, Sonya Smith
Two strangers are forced to adopt false identities as a family to get away from their past and their enemies. Diego (Franco) is a hustler who has crossed paths with the wrong people while Camilla is a mother of 2 who needs to escape from an abusive relationship. Diego’s brother is a politician who arranges for them to adopt these new personas for their safety.
This series is high on Entertainment and makes for a binge-worthy series that covers a wide range of sub-genres within.
8. Los favoritos de Midas (The Minions of Midas)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Luis Tosar, Marta Belmonte, Guillermo Toledo, Carlos Blanco, Goize Blanco, Jorge Andreu
When a rich businessman is being extorted by a secret organisation called the ‘Minions of Midas’, the police are in for a hell of a task as they aim to take down this well-connected group. The group threatens to kill a random target unless the businessman meets their demands, putting his character on full display in front of the public.
Based on a short story, this Spanish thriller is a brilliant adaptation of an engaging plot that has all the ups and downs would usually expect while still keeping the audience on their toes.
9. Historia de un Crimen: Colosio (Crime Diaries: The Candidate)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Alberto Guerra, Martín Altomaro, Ilse Salas, Gustavo Sánchez Parra, Lisa Owen, Jorge Antonio Guerrero
In 1994, when the progressive presidential candidate of Mexico begins to cause problems for the ruling administration, he is assassinated in a government-wide conspiracy. It’s left up to a pair of honest detectives and the candidate’s widow to figure out what lies at the bottom of this mystery.
Interspersed with real-life footage, this dramatised portrayal of a significant moment in Mexican history is quite informative while keeping the story engaging throughout.
10. Frontera Verda (Green Frontier)
Available on: Netflix
Cast: Juana del Rio, Angela Cano, Miguel Dionisio Ramos, Nelson Camayo, Marcela Mar, Bruno Clairefond
When a spate of unusual murders take place deep in the Amazon, a young detective makes the journey to the borders of Brazil and Colombia to investigate. What she finds over there goes far beyond anything she has ever imagined and opens her eyes to the mysteries of the jungle.
This Spanish thriller has a lot of charisma and does a great job showcasing the culture of the indigenous tribes while adding their horrifying spin to the story.
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