Hubbry Logo
La malqueridaLa malqueridaMain
Open search
La malquerida
Community hub
La malquerida
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
La malquerida
La malquerida
from Wikipedia
La malquerida
GenreTelenovela
Created byXimena Suárez
Based onThe Unloved Woman
by Jacinto Benavente
Screenplay by
  • Janely Lee
  • Alejandra Diaz
Story byJacinto Benavente
Directed by
  • Salvador Garcini
  • Juan Carlos Muñoz
Creative directorSandra Cortés
Starring
Theme music composer
  • Pablo Preciado
  • Román Torres Cuevas
  • Alejandro Pérez González
Opening theme"La malquerida" by Cristian Castro, Jesús Navarro and Melissa Robles
Country of originMexico
Original languageSpanish
No. of episodes116
Production
Executive producerJosé Alberto Castro
Producers
  • Ernesto Hernández
  • Fausto Sáinz
Production locationSan Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Cinematography
  • Óscar Morales
  • Bernardo Nájera
Editors
  • Héctor Flores
  • Juan Ordóñez
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time45 minutes[1]
Production companyTelevisa
Original release
NetworkCanal de las Estrellas
ReleaseJune 2 (2014-06-02) –
November 9, 2014 (2014-11-09)
Related

La malquerida (The Unloved Woman) is a Mexican telenovela created for Televisa by Ximena Suárez and produced by José Alberto Castro, based on the 1913 Spanish play titled The Unloved Woman by Jacinto Benavente.[2] The series originally aired on Canal de las Estrellas from June 2, 2014 to November 9, 2014. It stars Victoria Ruffo, Ariadne Díaz, Christian Meier, África Zavala,[3] and Arturo Peniche introduced in the telenovela in the second part of the history.[4]

The series follows the life of Cristina (Victoria Ruffo) and her daughter, Acacia (Ariadne Díaz). When Cristina became a widow, she married Esteban (Christian Meier), who is rejected by her daughter, unaware that in reality they have awakened a deep love that both hide behind their mask of hostility. The worst comes when Esteban begins to get rid of all the men who surround Acacia.

The telenovela has three alternative endings, due to the criticisms and comments that were generated after the relationship between the characters of Christian Meier and Ariadne Díaz.[5][6][7]

Plot

[edit]

Acacia (Ariadne Díaz) loses her father Alonso (Marcelo Córdoba) in an accident while he was riding a horse. Cristina (Victoria Ruffo), her mother and his wife, suddenly being widowed, learns that her husband had mortgaged the hacienda in order to cover the expenses of the sowings and livestock, not finding a solution to this, she decides to sell the hacienda and leave to live with her parents together with her daughter. The estate of her husband was rescued by Esteban, a worker of the hacienda, before being sold. After so much effort on the part of Cristina and Esteban (Christian Meier), they manage to raise the hacienda Benavente again and both begin to feel a "great sentimental attraction," Acacia, who was barely a girl, could not understand the love they had, overcome with the recent loss of her father and full of hatred does everything possible to leave the hacienda, while Juan Carlos (Ignacio López Tarso) and Elena (Silvia Mariscal), Cristina's parents, convince Cristina so that Acacia goes to live with them, while she manages to overcome the death of her father and to be able to accept the relationship of her mother with Esteban.

Ten years pass, but the hatred and resentment of Acacia towards Esteban have not changed, returning to the hacienda as a beautiful Woman, the first one to see her is Esteban who does not recognize her after a long time. Acacia is defiant and makes it clear that she is the owner of the Benavente farm. However, between the two begins to emerge a hidden love, which drives Esteban mad who begins to drive away any man who approaches Acacia, turning her into 'La Malquerida'. However, this is not the only subject that the novel deals with, it also talks about other issues such as prostitution, to which Alejandra (África Zavala) had to be submitted for many years; and the different problems that can be generated within a family by the lack of communication, as is the case of Norberto (Guillermo García Cantú) and Juliana (Nora Salinas).

Final chapter

[edit]

Acacia (Ariadne Díaz) and Cristina (Victoria Ruffo) have a deep and tense talk, more than mother to daughter, they speak of woman to woman. Cristina tells her that she will not be able to forgive her, and Acacia informs her that she will leave the country not to disturb her. Esteban (Christian Meier) is intensely wanted by the police, he is the main suspect by the death of Manuel (Brandon Peniche). Prisoner of madness, returns to the Benavente with the purpose of taking with himself to Acacia. There, in front of Acacia and Cristina, threatens them with a gun and confesses that he killed Manuel with machetes, and not only that, he was to blame for the death of Alonso (Marcelo Córdoba), the first husband of Cristina and father of Acacia. Mother and daughter suffer from anger and impotence to finally know the truth. They arrive then; Norberto (Guillermo García Cantú), Héctor (Arturo Peniche) and Ulises (Mane de la Parra); the first to settle accounts with Esteban, because he is already aware that he took the life of his son, and the other two with the news that the police are on the way. Everything hurries, and Acacia is shot. The family prays because it works out well, while Esteban is caught.

Acacia reappears at the wedding of Alejandra (África Zavala), her best friend, and Germán (Osvaldo de León); that despite the difficulties and malice of Danilo (Alberto Estrella) can be happy.

In prison, Danilo is burned alive by his cellmates; while Braulio "El Rubio" (Fabián Robles) makes a final visit to Esteban, taking him a photograph of Acacia, and telling him that this adulterous love finally destroyed him. Esteban cries tightening the photo of his beloved. Finally, Cristina forgives Acacia; who in turn is given a chance with Ulises, the true love of her life. Hector leaves a plane ticket to Cristina in case she wants to follow him to Italy. Mother and daughter embrace and walk forward, avoiding the past in which they were, each in its own way, "La Malquerida".

Cast

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Association Category Nominated Result
2015 33rd TVyNovelas Awards[9] Best Lead Actress Ariadne Diaz Nominated
Best Male Antagonist Alberto Estrella Nominated
Best Young Lead Actor Brandon Peniche Nominated
Best Co-star Actress Africa Zavala Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Fabian Robles Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
La malquerida is a Mexican created by Ximena Suárez and produced by for . It premiered on June 2, 2014, on the Las Estrellas network and ran for 166 episodes until December 21, 2014. The series is an adaptation of the 1913 Spanish play of the same name by Nobel Prize-winning playwright , which explores themes of , , and familial conflict in a rural setting. Starring as Cristina, as her daughter , and as Esteban, the relocates the story to contemporary , emphasizing obsession, revenge, and social tensions. rejects her stepfather Esteban's advances, earning her the nickname "la malquerida" (the unwanted one), leading to escalating conflicts and tragedy. The production aired across and received attention for its dramatic intensity, contributing to the legacy of Benavente's work, which has inspired various adaptations including a 1949 Mexican film by starring and , a 1935 zarzuela by Manuel Penella, and a 1996 musical directed by Alfredo Mañas.

Background

Source material

La malquerida is a Spanish play written by , a prominent dramatist known for his exploration of social and psychological themes in early 20th-century theater. The drama centers on a rural Castilian family, depicting the tensions arising from a widow's and the ensuing emotional complexities within the . Benavente, who received the in for the "purely national quality, the originality of his dramatic work, and his realistic style," crafted the play as a tragedy that delves into forbidden desires and moral conflicts, earning critical acclaim for its innovative portrayal of peasant life. At its core, the play follows Doña Raimunda, a wealthy who remarries after the of her first , bringing him into the household with her daughter . Esteban develops an obsessive passion for Acacia, who remains resentful and rejects him vehemently—earning her the "la malquerida" (the unwanted one)—leading to jealousy, deception, and violence. Key events include Esteban's murder of Acacia's fiancé Faustino to thwart their engagement, the of Acacia's cousin Norberto, and escalating family confrontations that expose themes of , uncontrolled passion, and the rigid societal norms governing honor and desire in rural . The narrative highlights the destructive power of unspoken emotions and communal gossip, culminating in as secrets unravel and loyalties fracture. The play premiered on December 12, 1913, at the Teatro de la Princesa in , performed by the Compañía Guerrero-Mendoza, and was dedicated to actress María Guerrero as a tribute. It was first published shortly thereafter in Spanish, with early editions appearing through publishers like Sucesores de Hernando, and quickly translated into English as The Passion Flower for international audiences. Widely regarded as Benavente's most successful work, it resonated across and the for its psychological depth and was adapted into various theatrical productions abroad, influencing later dramatic explorations of family dynamics. This original play serves as the foundational source for the 2014 Mexican .

Previous adaptations

The play La malquerida by has seen several adaptations across , television, and stage since its 1913 premiere, often reinterpreting its themes of forbidden desire and familial tension in varied cultural contexts. One of the earliest cinematic versions was the 1914 silent Spanish directed by Ricardo Baños, which closely followed the play's rural Andalusian setting and dialogue-driven narrative of a widow's and her daughter's conflicted emotions toward the stepfather. A more prominent Spanish adaptation arrived in 1939, directed by José López Rubio and starring Tarsila Criado as , Julio Peña as , and Jesús Tordesillas as Raimundo; this version emphasized the original play's psychological depth and verbal confrontations, maintaining a tone of restrained faithful to Benavente's script. The 1949 Mexican film, directed by and starring as the mother Raymunda and as the stepfather Esteban, marked a significant reinterpretation by transplanting the story to a rural Mexican , amplifying the through heightened emotional intensity and symbolic landscapes that underscored themes of passion and isolation. Figueroa's black-and-white visuals, with their dramatic contrasts and evocative rural imagery, were widely praised for elevating the film's artistic merit, contributing to its status as a cornerstone of Mexico's cinema (1930s–1950s). This adaptation diverged from the play's focus on by prioritizing visual symbolism, such as sweeping fields and shadowed interiors, to convey unspoken tensions. Television adaptations include a 1980 Venezuelan version, which aired as a and adapted the story for a serialized format, introducing more episodic elements to explore the characters' evolving relationships while retaining the core incestuous undertones. Other TV iterations appeared in 1968, 1977, and 2006, often localizing the narrative to heighten dramatic accessibility for broadcast audiences. Stage revivals have been minor but recurrent, with notable productions including a 1920 Broadway mounting in English as The Passion Flower, a 1926 by Manuel Penella, and a 1996 Spanish musical adaptation directed by Alfredo Mañas, which infused the tragedy with song to blend operatic flair with Benavente's intimate family dynamics. These versions typically preserved the play's tension through live performance, contrasting the films' visual emphasis by foregrounding verbal interplay and actor interpretations.

Production

Development

La malquerida was created by Ximena Suárez for and executive produced by , adapting Benavente's 1913 play to fit the format. The adaptation process emphasized updating the story for modern audiences by integrating elements of contemporary Mexican rural life, in-depth family psychology, and social issues including and of adolescents. Key creative decisions involved extending the original play's contained timeline to depict the characters' emotional and relational evolution over several years, while introducing subplots focused on management challenges and romantic rivalries to enrich the . Directors Salvador Garcini, responsible for studio scenes, and Juan Carlos Muñoz, handling on-location filming, were selected to capture the production's heightened dramatic style. Pre-production began in early 2014, with the project publicly detailed by as Castro finalized plans with the directors. Scripting was completed in time for filming to commence on March 24, 2014, following a traditional blessing ceremony at Televisa's facilities. Location scouting prioritized authentic Mexican countryside settings, with shoots planned in studios and exterior sites like in to evoke rural authenticity.

Casting

The casting process for La malquerida began in early 2014 under producer , who faced challenges in assembling the lead ensemble due to the telenovela's controversial central dynamic involving a and stepdaughter. was confirmed as Cristina in March 2014, after considerations of other prominent actresses including Lucero, who declined amid a personal scandal, , and . was announced shortly thereafter as , marking a key pairing for the mother-daughter roles. , a Peruvian making his debut in a , was officially presented as Esteban in April 2014, bringing international appeal to the antagonistic lead. Supporting roles were filled with established talent, including as Alejandra and Brandon Peniche as Manuel, selected to enhance the ensemble's dynamics alongside the principals. Arturo joined the cast midway through production for a pivotal role in the story's second half.

Cast

Lead roles

portrays Cristina Benavente de Domínguez, the widowed mother who remarries and becomes central to the unfolding family conflicts. Ariadne Díaz stars as Acacia Benavente, the resentful daughter and protagonist who navigates complex emotions surrounding love and loss. plays Esteban Domínguez, the depicted as a complex figure embodying both protection and underlying tension in the household dynamics. Mané de la Parra portrays Torres Gallardo, Acacia's love interest who contributes to her personal storyline.

Supporting roles

portrayed Alejandra Silva, the resilient younger sister of Cristina Benavente, whose storyline intertwined romantic entanglements with familial loyalties, adding depth to the themes of redemption and sisterly bonds within the hacienda's social fabric. Alejandra's arc highlighted her struggle against personal hardships, contributing to subplots involving emotional support for the central family and romantic tensions that enriched the ensemble's interpersonal dynamics. Arturo Peniche played Héctor Robledo, a late-introduced whose past connection to fueled hacienda-based intrigue and jealousy-driven conflicts, amplifying the narrative's exploration of unresolved histories and power struggles among secondary figures. His character's involvement in later episodes intensified the ensemble's tensions, particularly through manipulative schemes that tested alliances and loyalties in the rural setting. Brandon Peniche embodied Manuel Palacios Salmerón, Acacia's suitor and a symbol of unattainable redemption, whose revolved around unrequited and familial pressures, providing contrast to the protagonists' turmoil and underscoring themes of in the supporting cast's interactions. Manuel's charismatic yet tragic pursuit contributed to ensemble dynamics by bridging romantic and antagonistic elements, enhancing the overall emotional layering without overshadowing the leads. Fabián Robles depicted Braulio Jiménez "El Rubio," Esteban's devoted yet ambitious ranch hand, whose loyalty and personal ambitions wove into subplots of workplace hierarchies and covert affections, bolstering the portrayal of rural labor dynamics within the broader cast ensemble. El Rubio's role added gritty realism to the hacienda's undercurrents, influencing group interactions through his blend of admiration and opportunism. acted as Danilo Vargas, a cunning businessman entangled in illicit activities like trafficking, whose antagonistic pursuits created ripple effects in subplots involving and , enriching the ensemble's depiction of moral ambiguities in the periphery of the main family. Danilo's schemes heightened in supporting narratives, connecting economic exploitation to the characters' personal growth and collective resilience. Child actress Miranda Cid brought youthful innocence to the role of young Benavente, establishing the protagonist's early trauma and family bonds in flashback sequences that grounded the supporting ensemble's foundational emotional stakes. Her performance in these pivotal scenes contributed to the 's temporal depth, subtly influencing later character motivations and group harmonies.

Plot

General synopsis

La malquerida is a Mexican set in a rural in , , shortly after the death of Benavente in a horseback riding . The story centers on his widow, Cristina Benavente, who remarries Esteban Domínguez, a neighboring landowner who intervenes to prevent the family's financial collapse by purchasing and managing the estate. Their daughter, , grows up amid these changes, with the narrative spanning from her childhood to adulthood over a period of about 12 years, highlighting the passage of time and evolving family dynamics. The central conflicts revolve around mounting family tensions following Cristina's remarriage, as harbors deep resentment toward that gradually transforms into a forbidden attraction, complicating their relationships and loyalties. Subplots explore the ongoing struggles to sustain the amid economic pressures, romantic rivalries for Acacia's affections, and broader social issues such as and limited opportunities in the countryside. Structured as a 116-episode series airing weekdays on Canal de las Estrellas from June 2, 2014, to November 9, 2014, the weaves themes of intense love, profound betrayal, and the devastating effects of communication breakdowns throughout its runtime, building toward an unresolved emotional climax.

Final chapter

In the climactic confrontation of the telenovela's final episode, confesses to and that he murdered both and Manuel, revealing the depths of his obsessive and destructive actions toward the family. This admission escalates into an armed standoff at the , where , armed and unhinged, attempts to take away by force, leading to a tense showdown with and standing against him. During the chaos, shoots at in a moment of rage, but she survives the injury after prompt medical intervention, underscoring the near-tragic consequences of his possession. The resolutions unfold swiftly following the confrontation, with authorities arresting for the murders and his attempted violence, bringing long-sought justice to the Benavente family. , having rejected Esteban's twisted affection, finds redemption and pairs romantically with , who had earlier saved her from Esteban's grasp, symbolizing a path toward genuine love and stability. Simultaneously, and achieve a profound mother-daughter , marked by mutual for past misunderstandings and betrayals, allowing them to heal their fractured bond. These events conclude in episode 116, which aired on , 2014, providing emotional closure to the series' exploration of hidden love, , and familial redemption. The finale emphasizes themes of liberation from toxic attachments and the restorative power of truth and , resolving the central conflicts without further loss.

Broadcast

Mexican premiere

La malquerida premiered in on June 2, 2014, airing on Canal de las Estrellas, the flagship network of . The occupied the weekday evening slot at 7:15 p.m., replacing the recently concluded production . The series ran for 116 episodes, concluding on November 9, 2014, and was produced in high-definition following Televisa's standard format of approximately one-hour installments broadcast five days a week. This format allowed for a serialized adapted from Jacinto Benavente's 1913 play, emphasizing dramatic family conflicts in a rural setting. Promotion for the premiere featured teasers that spotlighted the star power of leads , , and , while teasing the controversial theme of forbidden affection between a stepmother's daughter and her new husband. These efforts were integrated into 's 2014 programming slate, positioning La malquerida as a key summer offering from producer .

International distribution

In the United States, La malquerida premiered on on August 25, 2014, airing in Spanish for Hispanic audiences. The was exported internationally by Internacional to various countries across , , and . For instance, it aired in the on starting in 2017. Following its initial broadcasts, La malquerida became available on streaming services including VIX (with ad-supported free access), Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV. Home media options include DVD releases, with the series also accessible digitally for purchase or rental on platforms such as Google Play.

Reception

Ratings and viewership

In Mexico, La malquerida achieved an average Nielsen rating of 17.8 points across its 117 episodes, reflecting solid but not exceptional performance for a prime-time telenovela on Canal de las Estrellas. The series premiered with 18.0 points and peaked at 24.6 points in episode 114, while the two-hour finale drew 24.4 points. Compared to José Alberto Castro's prior production La que no podía amar, which averaged 19.4 points over 166 episodes with a similar finale rating of 24.4 points, La malquerida fell short of expectations for the producer's track record in audience engagement. Internationally, the aired on in the United States, where it garnered approximately 1-2 million total viewers per episode on average, with later episodes showing growth to 2.6 million total viewers and 1.3 million adults 18-49. This placed it competitively within the Spanish-language market but below high performers like , which averaged 4.4 million total viewers. In non-Spanish-speaking markets such as , audience demand for La malquerida was notably low, measuring 0.2 times the demand of the average TV series based on Parrot Analytics data.

Critical response and awards

The received mixed critical reception, with praise centered on the strong performances of its lead actresses. was lauded for delivering one of her finest portrayals, appearing more vibrant and emotionally nuanced than in previous roles. also earned acclaim for her compelling depiction of the complex protagonist , contributing to the show's dramatic intensity. However, critics lambasted the for its outdated handling of taboo themes, including the controversial romantic tension between , , and , which evoked uncomfortable incestuous undertones described by some as morally repugnant and poorly resolved. Audience and aggregated ratings reflected this divide, with users assigning an average score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 137 reviews, while viewers rated it lower at 3.8 out of 10 from 24 assessments, often citing the plot's awkward execution and failure to modernize the source material effectively. Professional commentary, such as from television critic Álvaro Cueva, further critiqued the narrative's reliance on melodramatic suffering and family discord as stereotypical and unrefreshing, questioning its suitability for contemporary audiences. At the 33rd TVyNovelas Awards in 2015, La malquerida garnered five nominations but no wins, recognizing its cast in key categories: Best Lead Actress for Ariadne Díaz, Best Antagonist Actor for Alberto Estrella, Best Co-Star Actress for África Zavala, Best Supporting Actor for Fabián Robles, and Best Young Actor for Brandon Peniche. These nods underscored the performances amid broader production critiques, though the show did not secure victories against competitors like Yo no creo en los hombres and Mi corazón es tuyo. The series left a notable legacy through its sparking of public discourse on family dynamics, forbidden love, and ethical boundaries in telenovelas. The intense backlash against the central relationship prompted producers to create three alternative endings, which were made available online for different viewer preferences. While the controversy generated initial publicity and debate on media representations of complex familial ties, it ultimately damaged the show's enduring popularity, contributing to its perception as a bold but flawed experiment in genre conventions.

References

  1. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/La_Malquerida
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.