Title: 6 Must-Watch European/Latin Teen Drama Series
By: Letizia Ravizza (Leti)
Section: Culture Blog
Ugh! Sitting all day in front of those screens is exhausting and very frustrating, especially when you have your least favorite subjects on that day! However, there are ways to relax and calm down after your school day online or a normal day in school. All you have to do is watch a show! A TV series is the perfect way to take your mind off something, and discover your true passions! If you either love a good story about murder, a good story about forbidden romance, or a good story about friendship. All the series below are unique in their own way and perfect for each of you! But, here comes the main question. Why exactly did I choose to focus on European/Latin teen dramas? Well all of us are used to obsessing over American shows like Riverdale, but why are we really obsessing over them? Yes, of course, Riverdale might be interesting to watch but that’s not the real answer. We are all just used to American shows. However, by watching some foreign shows you could open up new boundaries, and guess what, they are just as good as the ones that you are used to, but just foreign. Furthermore, not only are they foreign to us but they are also spoken in a different language which makes them unique. A perfect opportunity to brush up your languages if you are learning any! So let’s start at having a look at some of them.
Elite
Duration: 45 min/ep
Seasons: 4, season 5 is confirmed
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Cast: Itzan Escamilla, Arón Piper, Miguel Bernardeau, Ester Expósito, Omar Ayuso, Claudia Salas, Danna Paola, Georgina Amorós, Mina El Hammani, Pol Granch, Martina Cariddi, Manu Ríos, Álvaro Rico, Carla Díaz, and Jorge López.
Where you can watch: Netflix
Everyone loves a good story about murder, especially if the murderer is someone very unexpected. What happened? When did it happen? How did it happen? And most importantly, why did it happen? This show is filled with twists and turns, intriguing stories, and romance in every episode. With every episode, you will get more absorbed into the universe of Las Encinas. Just remember, never forget who your real enemy is and who you should really trust.
The A List
Duration: 25 min/ep
Seasons: 2
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Lisa Ambalavanar, Ellie Duckles, Max Lohan, Rosie Dwyer, Savannah Baker, Georgina Sadler, Jack Kane, Indianna Ryan, Dylan Brady, Barnaby Tobias.
Where you can watch: Netflix
Peregrine Island, the place of everyone’s dreams! The island that has the perfect summer camp for everyone. Cute boys, new friends, and new relationships. But be warned, this island is not as simple and pretty as it looks. Behind it’s innocent looks and mysterious wildlife, lies many secrets that don’t want to be discovered. These secrets lead to more and more cliffhangers. So, how did they get there? And, why can’t they remember anything that happened to them? A mind controlling girl and a death in Peregrine Island. You have been warned!
Maggie and Bianca Fashion Friends
Duration: 25 min/ep
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance, Comedy
Cast: Emanuela Rei, Giorgia Boni, Sergio Ruggeri, Luca Murphy, Federica Corti, Sergio Melone, Tiffany Zhou, Paolo Romano, Greta Bellusci, Elia Nichols, Walter Leonardi, Alvaro Gradella, Clelia Piscitelli, Simona Di Bella, Jody Cecchetto, Giovanni Bussi, Federico Pedroni, Maria Luisa De Crescenzo, Paolo Fantoni.
Where you can watch: Netflix
Welcome to the Fashion academy of Milan! Where all the unachievable is achievable and all your dreams come true. This is exactly how two girls from very different backgrounds found themselves. Standing in front of the academy, one was smiling while the other was moaning and shouting. So, this is how the story begins. I introduce you to Bianca Lucci and Maggie Davis, the queens of the Fashion Academy. They are the best stylists and vocalists with very different personalities. One is elegant, pretty and discreet. While the other one is creative, crazy, and unstoppable. With new cute boys and new classmates from all around the globe, will two very different girls survive sharing the same room? There’s only one way to find out…
Soy Luna
Duration: 45min/ep
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Romance
Cast: Karol Sevilla, Valentina Zenere, Ruggero Pasquarelli, Michael Ronda, Agustín Bernasconi, Jorge López, Carolina Kopelioff, Malena Ratner, Gastón Vietto, Katja Marínez, Ana Jara, Chiara Parravicini, Lionel Ferro, Lucila Gandolfo, Rodrigo Pedreira, David Muri, Ana Carolina Valsagna, Carolina Ibarra, Ezequiel Rodríguez, Luz Cipriota, Giovanna Reynaud, Jandino.
Where you can watch: Netflix/Disney Plus
Every school has a mean girl, bad boy, best friend of the bad boy, sidekicks, new girl, new friend of the new girl, joker and villain. But not every school has a roller skating team. Welcome to the Jam and Roller! The place where everything in roller skating is possible. Secrets from the past of an adopted girl, roller skating competitions, heartbreaks, new romances to new secrets at Blake South College, you will never figure out who Luna Valente is. Is she really Sol Benson or did Sol Benson just die in a fire where everyone thought she died. Remember though her body was never found, and Ambar Smith replaced her aunt’s niece. So who are Luna Valente and Ambar Smith after all? Only one way to find out…
Violetta
Duration: 45min/ep
Seasons: 3
Genre: Drama, Romance
Cast: Martina Stoessel, Jorge Blanco, Diego Domínguez, Ruggero Pasquarelli, Candelaria Molfese, Mercedes Lambre, Florencia Benitez, Alba Rico, Clara Alonso, Lodovica Comello, Diego Ramos, Facundo Gambandé.
Where you can watch: Netflix/Disney Plus
Violetta’s life is simple. Travel from one place to another, and study at home. However, all of this changes when Violetta returns to Argentina. Once again, she studies at home and always stays there, but Violetta’s aunt has found her and gets a job at her house but keeps her identity a secret. Thanks to Violetta’s aunt (Angie), Violetta once again uncovers her passion and talent for music and starts going to the Studio for lessons. While at the studio she finally makes friends, and starts going through complicated relationships. However, there is a problem. It’s a secret that Violetta goes to the Studio and her father must not know. Will her father find out? And how will Violetta’s new life turn out?
Vampires
Duration: 45min/ep
Seasons: 1, renewed for season 2
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Cast: Oulaya Amamra, Mounir Amamra, Aliocha Schneider, Juliette Cardinski, Ayumi Roux, Dylan Robert, Suzanne Clément, Pierre Lottin, Kate Moran.
Where you can watch: Netflix
Vampires. We are all used to them being hidden in the dark and to never appear in daylight, but not all vampires are like that. One pair of siblings is quite different. They can walk under the sun without getting any burns. Not because they are some special type of vampires but because they are half vampires and half humans. Even though they are half humans, they still have to take special pills to prevent their thirst for fresh human blood. But what if you stop taking those pills? Well, Doina stopped and she accidentally bit her classmate. Not only does that matter, but Doina is precious and wanted by the vampire community. Half human blood is everything to the vampire community. And that’s exactly what causes major conflict between them. So, who will win and who will lose? It’s simple. All you have to do is watch to find out.
— Writer, Content Creator Letizia (Leti) Ravizza can be reached at lera26@patana.ac.th.
