Santa Bárbara (TV series)

The telenovela was first announced in November 2014 when Artur Ribeiro was reported to be the author of another new telenovela of TVI. The telenovela was supposed to premiere in March 2015.[3] Days after, came the first hints that it would be an adaptation of a Mexican telenovela[4] and La Patrona was the chosen one.[5]

Margarida Marinho was the first actress reported to participate in the telenovela, in the role of Antónia Vidal, one of the main characters of the original plot.[6] But later she moved to the rival broadcaster SIC. Sara Matos and Pedro Teixeira were also actors thought to be part of the telenovela but were never confirmed. Finally, in 2015, Benedita Pereira and Albano Jerónimo were announced as protagonists (Gabriela and Alexandre).[7] In February, São José Correia replaced Margarida Marinho's original role on the telenovela (Antónia Vidal). At that moment, she was still recording the telenovela Jardins Proibidos and TVI had to make some changes so she could abandon that production and join the cast of this one.

Also in February, the telenovela received its first title, Santa Bárbara, which was later announced to be the official one.[8] Santa Bárbara originates from the actual spiritual figure Saint Barbara, believed to be the protector of the miners, which is one of the main plots. The premiere was then delayed to September because TVI extended the length of Jardins Proibidos (on air at that time).[9] TVI tried to convince Joaquim de Almeida to join the cast. This actor is popular worldwide for acting in several TV series such as Revenge, Once Upon a Time, Bones, Miami Vice, etc.. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to accept it but promised a cameo role with the main character Marcelo Vidal.[10]

On April 28, there was a special event to show the entire cast and reveal the first details. It was the first public and official announcement of the production.[11]

Shooting starts only in July and takes place in the north region of Portugal.[12] Just like Belmonte, from the same author, the Portuguese version of La Patrona has a lot of differences from the original one, but always keeping the core of the story.[13][14]

"It's the story of a female miner that will have to come face to face with one of the most powerful and machiavellian woman ever seen on TV"

— Artur Ribeiro, author of the telenovela

The first teasers were launched in August. Another special event (this time to see exclusive parts of the first episodes) took place on September 18, 10 days before the premiere.[15]

Just like the original La Patrona, the first episode of Santa Bárbara ends after the gold mine collapses and Gabriela and Alexandre get caught, leaving the episode in a cliffhanger.

The telenovela is separated in two phases that will mark a major turnaround in Gabriela and a temporal transition of six years. Santa Bárbara has the hard task to maintain the high ratings left by the previous telenovela Jardins Proibidos.

From the depths of the earth to the heights of high society, Santa Bárbara is the story of Gabriela (Benedita Pereira), a young woman whom everything is taken and returns to regain it all. At the same time, is the story of a forgotten Portuguese town from the inside that will find a new lease with the reopening of ancient gold mines. Just like the protagonist, who will pass the largest adversities in search of a lost love, also the town of Santa Bárbara will be the center of all the events and all the loves and hatreds, conflicts and dreams, dramas and happiness.

• 1984: La dueña (filmed in Venezuela and broadcast on VTV Canal 8)
• 2006: Dueña y Señora (filmed in Puerto Rico and broadcast on Telemundo) starring Karla Monroig & Angel Viera
• 2013: La Patrona (filmed in Mexico and broadcast on Telemundo)
• 2018: La Patrona (filmed in Mexico and broadcast on Las Estrellas)