La peste (2018–2019) User Reviews

The Plague

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 16 September 2018]

This Spanish series is set in sixteenth century Seville when an outbreak of the bubonic plague has caused the city to be closed; much to the consternation of merchants involved in trade with the Spanish colonies in the New World. If concerns about illness weren't enough there have been a series of murders; Mateo Núñez, a former soldier who has returned to Seville to find the son of a friend despite being condemned by the inquisition for printing heretical works, is told he will be spared if he investigates the crimes.

If you like your historical dramas sanitised with healthy looking characters then this isn't for you. Even without the omnipresent threat of the plague most of the story is set in dark, filthy back alleys where violence could lurk around any corner. I confess that I found the story a little confusing at times but as it reached its conclusion it really came together and we get a solid conclusion. There are some fairly disturbing scene; including the sight of people being burnt at the stake. The cast does an impressive job, making us believe in their characters. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of historical dramas that don't sugar-coat the past.

These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish with English subtitles.

A time of plague, the Inquisition, superstition, and hyper-religiosity

[gsaint09 · 8/10 · 24 March 2018]

Spain had become an empire by the 1500's, the most powerful country in Europe at the time. A time of plague, the Inquisition, superstition, and hyper-religiosity. The plague struck terror in people because it killed so quickly and so many, with no known cause. People had an inkling of what infection might be, but without science, they turned to omens and to the supernatural. Solid acting, sets, costumes, locations, & CGI.

A peculiar, unique and character-driven thriller with wonderful cinematography and nice acting

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 23 February 2020]

Good but dark series formed by 2 seasons, 12 episodes , being very well set , nicely played and from visual point of view it is magnificent. Spain had become an empire by 1500's under Catholic Kings : Isabel and Fernando , Charles I and after Felipe II , the most poweful country in Europe and all over the world at the time . It is set in Sevilla, 16th century, one of the most marvellous and smelliest cities in the world , it is a time of plague , pursuit , superstition, as well as hyper-religiosity and during a terrible plague epidemic . There appears Mateo Nuñez : Pablo Molinero , he is a condemned by Inquisition, as a high-authority priest named Celso de Guevara : Manolo Solo assigns him to investigate a series of murders happened in the noisy city of Seville where more than forty different languages were spoken and all the gold from America arrived on its por t. In the midst of a dirty atmosphere suffocated by mistrust and betrayals on the order of the day , he will have to discover the author of such astonishing and grisly killings . The second season deals with Mateo Nuñez and Teresa Pinelo : Patricia López Arnaiz , who face off Maria de la O : Stefania de los Santos , and a dangerous and bloody criminal organization, Mafia-alike, called La Garduña operating in Sevilla by human trafficking , prostitution and labouring exploitation.

Nice costumer, dense and painfully realistic mystery thriller with solid performance , enjoyable locations , impeccable scenarios and lavishly filmed. Set in the post-Medieval Seville with its social constitution struck by the plague , it was one of the main cities of the Western world , known as the Great Babylon, it was home to people of all races and people of all kinds and strangest conditions . Do not expect luxurious palaces , sweet Renaissance settings and gorgeous decoration seen in other foreign series such Versalles, The Borgia , Michael Hirst's Tudor or Richard Madden's The Medici. On the contrary, you can appreciate sinister environments , brothels , dirtiness, bowery, city slums and the deepest poverty. As far as I'm concerned the especial writing is pretty well , being its authentic creators Rafael Cobos and Alberto Rodriguez. Convincingly performed by Pablo Molinero as Matthew who investigates the found corpses of several murdered people as an omen of the end of the world . Matthew will have to find out who is the author of a series of diabolical crimes committed against the high places of Sevillian society . Otherwise , he will not find the forgiveness of the Holy Office and the Inquisition as he will decide to investigate it at whatever means. Being finely accompanied by Patricia López Arnaiz as a mysterious factory owner , Paco Tous as her administrator assistant , Paco León, Manolo Solo, Cecilia Gómez, Sergio Castellanos, Manuel Morón , Melina Matthews, Estefania de Santos, Jesús Carroza, Julián Villagrán, Antonio Dechent, Luis Callejo , among others.

It displays an evocative and atmospheric musical score by Julio de la Rosa. It contains picturesque cinematography by cameramen Rau Steve and Andreu Adamo Rubiralta. Shot on several locations as Utrera, Coria del Rio, Dos Hermanas Carmona, Santiponce, Alcala de Guadaira, Gelves, Mairena, Puebla de Rio, Sevilla, Trujillo, Caceres, Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Cuevas de Almanzora, Almeria, and Toledo. And we can find the real interiors of the Sevillian Palaces, Casa Contratation of Sevilla and sightseeing as the riverside, Giralda, Torre del Oro, Cathedral and other buildings, monuments by means of CGI. This surprising crime drama was well directed by Alberto Rodriguez. He is considered to be one of the best Spanish filmmakers, including notorious films as Grupo 7, Factor Pilgrim, 7 Virgins, The suit , El hombre de las 1000 caras, being his biggest hit : Marshland . Rating : above average, 7/10 for the accuracy in depicting the XVI century city , as the money are not waste, though not for too squeamish watchers due to its sour seeing of poorness, sleazy events, nudism , heinous killings and extreme realism .

CSI Sevelle

[aprilmike-51991 · 7/10 · 14 March 2019]

Sort of a middle ages who dun-nit. Super dark and gloomy, just how I imagine the 16th century to be. Good solid cast, acting and story line. The Spanish inquisition was very unpleasant if this is to be believed, and I am sure it is!

The greatest discovery on tv in the last months.

[iza-henn · 10/10 · 3 April 2018]

Dark, dense, painfully realistic. If you know Seville a little bit, it will be , like a time travel. Anyway, you may expect a time travel and not for too sensitive watchers. It is the most expensive Spanish series and watching the accuracy in depicting the XVI century city, you realize , the money are not waste. Do not expect lavish, sweet renaissance decorations saw in BBC Borgias or Tudors. On the contrary, you may appreciate the picturesque depiction of deepest poverty, cruelty, city slums and social constitution in the post medieval city struck by the plague. From visual point of view it is impeccable. The careful watchers will find the real interiors of the Sevillian Casa de Pilates and Palacio Lebrija. The view from the riverside , La Giralda, and The Cathedral are simply real, may be with some extra touch of graphic artists. The other Spanish cities and monuments were also included. Actors are great, very well cast (my oppinion), and convincing. As far as writing, it is a surprising crime drama. Pleasure to watch. I am wating for the next season.

Incredibly atmospheric drama with a twist

[tacman-52995 · 10/10 · 3 October 2019]

The evocation of 16C Seville is incredible and without a vast amount of special effects, you feel all the rhythms of the city, a long with its finery, stench and hypocrisy. It doesn't pull any punches and the rigid strata of society with their inflexible norms and to the sense of claustrophobia. The plotting is tight and the characters beautifully drawn. None is a saint but neither are they pure sinners; just people trying to get by. Gorgeous filmography completes the picture. Unmissable.

The most entertaining drama about bubonic plague ever made!

[khunkrumark · 9/10 · 26 November 2018]

A thoroughly engrossing six-parter recently aired by the BBC. There's some nudity so it's not 'family friendly' but it's still great telly.

The Spanish have found a way to make the plague interesting!

There's so much more than just the plague, too... there's the Spanish Inquisition, unscrupulous merchants and the cruel politics of the Spanish empire of five centuries ago.

Spoil yourself with some great adult drama and watch this.

An hidden gem

[maxime-v · 9/10 · 9 July 2021]

Why is this serie not on the main streaming platforms ? It is an absolut masterpiece and should be avalaible everywhere. Dark historical drama, a spanish historical kind of The wire style investigation in Seville during black plague times. A must watch!

If you love 'Gamorrah' you have to see this

[damianpokarier · 10/10 · 18 January 2022]

Character development, cinematography, location, plot development, and realism ... can't see how it could be improved. You can almost smell the surroundings. Awesome and gruesome with a taste of the past so overlooked with nostalgic fondness. Not for the faint hearted.

Lead actor is very good, very dark entertaining series!

[nonsensefans · 10/10 · 2 March 2022]

What a surprise to found this gem ! How come I never heard of this serie? I've seen so many foreign series, I would say this was one of the best Spanish series I've ever seen ! Acting was phenomenal ! Lead actor performance was so good! The epidemic plague with those disgusting scenery feels real.. Very dark,eerie, haunting, mystery, drama, history, thriller all combines into what makes this series a great one to binge !

exciting, intense and full of suspense *Spoiler alert

[rachelmacdermot · 10/10 · 23 September 2018]

What I enjoyed the most about this series was the lurking Inquisition. This is a lavish period drama. The slums, the entitlement, the Misogyny are all brilliantly played out. One questions from the start everyone's loyalties. There is a underlying tension that is worthy of Hitchcock. The concept of Free Speech v Fear + the liberties of the "crown" is something we need to listen to ! The reveal in the final episode had me shouting out loud - Of course you would of been Machivallian....... This was an example of a Perfect Watch. I really hope there is not another series.

A work of staggering genius.

[edwarddavenport-45274 · 10/10 · 9 July 2023]

Period dramas are ten a penny. Period dramas that are done well, not so much. But La Peste is in a league of its own.

The first thing that hits you from the off with this is that it aint going to be an easy ride. The impending sense of doom and unease is present from the outset; helped enormously by incredible performances from the cast. What I loved about it straight away was that I totally believed this was the 16th century. The production team must have gone to extreme lengths to get this right and they absolutely knock it out of the park. Not since Deadwood have I seen a period drama with this much attention to detail. It's just staggering. Everything down to the lanterns they carry to the window frames and the overall grime and filth that most of the story takes place in. You're just there. You can practically smell the streets in this. It's THAT realistic. The Auto-da-fé scene in the final episode is a particularly brutal one with a hyper-realistic burning at the stake that, none too subtly, shows the savagery of the Inquisition and indeed the 16th century in general. I literally felt ill watching that bit. So much so, I had to watch a making-off to remind me it wasn't real. It's gloves off all the way with this one. Be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted. I can literally think of no scene in anything that is more gut-wrenching. Once again, incredible job by all involved. Also, the story itself is a fascinating and well-told one. It keeps you guessing throughout and you won't see a false note from any of the cast. Absolutely brilliant.

Next level TV. This is the closest you're going to get to a Warhammer Fantasy film/series

[cicerobuck · 10/10 · 28 April 2023]

Everything about this was amazing : the story, the cinematography, the scenery, the acting, the casting. Dark, gloomy, gritty, grim, this is what the world looked like, almost a fantasy for us in our sanitized versions of the past, through Holywood.

But for all those strenght, the greatest ones really are the story and scenery, extremely immersive, with drama and action on several scales of the social ladder, which reminded me of the Warhammer campaign "The Enemy Within", and especially the chapter "Power Behind the Throne". Indeed, you could perfectly adapt this to a low fantasy Warhammer setting, and get the greatest visual inspiration.

Just a perfect series IMHO.