Created by Gema R. Neira and María José Rustarazo
The Lady’s Companion premiered on March 28, 2025.
Distributed globally by Netflix.
The Lady’s Companion Review
The Lady’s Companion is a delightfully indulgent escape to gilded Madrid, where Elena Bianda (Nadia de Santiago) navigates gossip, etiquette, and her own heart as she guides three spirited sisters through society’s tightrope.
With playful winks to the camera and a surprisingly modern soundtrack, the show marries period drama charm with fresh, upbeat energy.
Nadia’s poised performance grounds every scene, while Álvaro Mel’s Santiago brings both warmth and tension to their budding romance.
Isa Montalbán’s Cristina steals your sympathy as she grapples with love and duty, and the younger sisters, played by Zoe Bonafonte and Iratxe Emparán, add sparks of wit and rebellion.
Gorgeous costumes and sunlit courtyards make each episode a visual treat, and even though it ended after just eight episodes, its blend of scandal, humor, and heartfelt moments lingers long after the final curtsy.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
• Google Audience Score: 84% liked this film.
The Lady’s Companion Actors
Nadia de Santiago as Elena Bianda
DOB: January 3, 1990
Bio: Trained at Madrid’s Royal School of Dramatic Art, Nadia de Santiago began her acting career at the age of 15 and gained early acclaim for her mature performances.
She starred in a touring production of Romeo and Juliet, earning praise for her classical technique and stage presence.
Fluent in English and French, Nadia is deeply committed to nurturing new talent, she mentors young actors through Fundación AISGE, a foundation supporting performers’ rights and education in Spain.
Role: A poised, self-taught lady’s companion navigating societal pressure while her feelings for Santiago grow.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Wry asides to the camera, moral dilemmas rooted in empathy, and glimpses of her past amidst professional composure.
Favorite Things: Midnight walks in Retiro Park, collecting first-edition poetry, baroque dance.
Notable Works: Las 13 rosas, Cable Girls, El tiempo que te doy.
Álvaro Mel as Santiago Torres
DOB: September 14, 1996
Bio: A former engineering student from Salamanca, Álvaro Mel transitioned into acting after gaining attention through viral short films and social media sketches.
His passion led him to study at Madrid’s prestigious Studio Corazza, known for producing emotionally grounded performers.
Álvaro has quickly risen in Spanish cinema and television, celebrated for his emotional nuance and natural charisma.
Role: The charming godson whose caring nature hides deep familial expectations and emotions.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Playful poetry recitals, emotional resonance in intimate scenes, and tension stemming from loyalty conflicts.
Favorite Things: Acoustic jams, vintage cameras, Madrid tapas.
Notable Works: La Fortuna, Killer Book Club.
Isa Montalbán as Cristina Mencía de Quirós
DOB: January 31, 1998
Bio: A Madrid-born actress and Fulbright Scholar, Isa Montalbán studied film and performance at ECAM (Escuela de Cinematografía y del Audiovisual de la Comunidad de Madrid) before refining her craft in international residencies.
Known for her fierce intelligence on and off screen, she combines historical research with physical preparation, having trained in stunt horseback riding for period dramas.
Role: The eldest daughter managing a secret pregnancy that endangers her family’s reputation.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Intimate confrontations with patriarch Pedro and emotional exchanges with Elena.
Favorite Things: Dawn horseback rides, journaling, feminist philosophy.
Notable Works: Jupiter Rain, HollyBlood.
Zoe Bonafonte as Sara Mencía de Quirós
DOB: March 10, 2004
Bio: Trained in both theater and film at Barcelona’s esteemed Institut del Teatre, Zoe Bonafonte is a multilingual performer fluent in Catalan, Spanish, and Italian.
She developed her on-screen precision through classical stage work and is known for weaving academic curiosity into her characters.
Role: Headstrong middle sister whose intellectual spirit clashes with patriarchal norms.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Debates challenging traditional roles and a transformation of confidence.
Favorite Things: Antique calligraphy, sketching, poetry readings.
Notable Works: The Goldsmith’s Secret.
Iratxe Emparán as Carlota Mencía de Quirós
DOB: October 18, 2007
Bio: A Madrid-trained actress with a strong academic background in literature, Emparán has centered much of her stage work on reviving forgotten female voices from Spanish history.
Off-screen, she’s an avid rock climber and a frequent contributor to feminist podcasts and literary panels.
Role: The youngest sister whose sardonic humor and curiosity expose deeper truths.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Quippy remarks during formal affairs and emotional honesty by lantern light.
Favorite Things: Climbing rooftops, vintage photography, history salons.
Notable Works: The Snow Girl.
Carloto Cotta as Gabriel de Bayona Silva
DOB: January 31, 1984
Bio: A graduate of Portugal’s prestigious National Theatre Conservatory, Carloto Cotta is known for his versatility across film, stage, and opera.
Fluent in multiple languages, he divides his time between Lisbon and Madrid, directing short films and occasionally performing with local opera companies.
Role: A re-emergent marqués whose reunion with Elena rekindles old passions and jeopardizes stability.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Conflicted glances, societal pressure, and tender sonnets.
Favorite Things: Opera, architecture, sonnet-writing.
Notable Works: Elite, Tabu, Diamantino.
Tristán Ulloa as Pedro Mencía de la Granja
DOB: May 6, 1970
Bio: A graduate of RESAD (Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático), Tristán Ulloa is a seasoned actor and director with a deep footprint in both Spanish cinema and international productions.
Known for his gravitas, he often brings a historical lens to his work, serving as a period consultant on multiple sets.
Role: Grieving patriarch determined to protect his daughters while maintaining status.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Private moments remembering his wife and a stern yet loving guardianship.
Favorite Things: Archival letters, preserving heirlooms, whiskey tastings.
Notable Works: Warrior Nun, A Widow’s Game.
Itziar Manero as Adelita
DOB: N/A
Bio: A graduate of Barcelona’s Institut del Teatre, Itziar Manero is a veteran character actress celebrated for her detailed period work and linguistic precision.
In addition to acting, she works as a dialect coach and designs much of her own historically accurate costuming.
Role: Household headmistress whose discipline reveals unexpected concern.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Subtle rule-breaking defiance, hidden warmth, and pivotal backstory disclosure in Episode 6.
Favorite Things: Hand-embroidery, archival work, guitar music.
Notable Works: Multiple Spanish historical dramas (TVE, Atresmedia), acclaimed stage work in Bodas de sangre.
Paula Usero as Josefina Ramos
DOB: October 22, 1991
Bio: A graduate of the Valencia Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, Paula Usero balances screen and stage work with a commitment to social advocacy.
Known for her subtle emotional range, she is also a skilled seamstress who handcrafts pieces inspired by early 20th-century fashion.
Role: The empathetic maid who supports women-shaped lives discreetly.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Quiet influence in household affairs and protective friendship actions.
Favorite Things: Sewing, gardening, board games.
Notable Works: Mi Zona, Luimelia, Full of Grave.
María Caballero as Alicia Casas
DOB: N/A
Bio: A graduate of the Centro Andaluz de Teatro, María Caballero brings both physical precision and emotional intensity to her roles.
Beyond her acting credentials, she is a certified etiquette coach and an accomplished fencer, skills she employs in her period drama performances, especially in scenes requiring duel choreography or aristocratic decorum.
Role: Elena’s rival companion whose public poise masks internal insecurity.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Salon confrontations and a dramatic unraveling during formal events.
Favorite Things: Fencing, porcelain collecting, salon hosting.
Notable Works: La otra mirada, Servir y proteger, various Spanish TV dramas.
Candela Pradas as Esther Zapico de Orbe
DOB: N/A
Bio: A Madrid-born actress and jazz vocalist, Candela Pradas trained at the Centro de Nuevos Creadores and is known for blending musicality with theatrical flair.
She performed an original jazz piece at the series premiere, capturing the show’s romantic tension through music.
Role: Vivacious socialite fueling scandal with whispered secrets and flirtation.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Dramatic entrances at balls and behind-the-scenes reveals with emotional depth.
Favorite Things: Jazz improvisation, cameo brooches, poetry recitals.
Notable Works: Sugar, Breathless.
Teresa de Mera as Alba Ibáñez de Senovilla
DOB: April 22, 2003
Bio: A classically trained actress from RESAD (Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático), Teresa de Mera is a respected veteran of the Spanish stage.
In addition to her acting credentials, she is an accomplished classical pianist and frequently serves as an etiquette consultant for period productions.
Role: High-society matriarch whose disapproval and hidden regrets reflect social constraints.
Episodes: S1 E1–8
What to Expect: Cutting remarks, subtle compassion for Elena, and a quietly revealing closing scene.
Favorite Things: Piano sonatas, afternoon teas, mentoring on etiquette.
Notable Works: HIT, Raising Voices.
More Actors
• Iván Lapadula as Eduardo Espinosa de Monier
• Daniel Ibáñez as Daniel Monsalve
• Nicolás Illoro as Lázaro
• Notan Sigueros as Camilo Keita
• María Barranco as Paquita
• Gracia Olayo as Lady Angustias
• Sergio Pozo as Julián Aguilar
• Carmen Balague as Juana
• Mario Alonso as Mensajero
FAQ – The Lady’s Companion Series
Will there be a Season 2 of The Lady’s Companion?
No. Netflix confirmed in May 2025 that the show has been canceled after one season.
Despite strong initial viewership, 63 million hours and top 10 placement in 66 countries, the high production costs of this lavish period piece were cited as a key factor. WHATSONNETFLIX
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 consists of 8 episodes, each running approximately 40–48 minutes, covering lessons in love, manners, and scandal.
Is it worth watching despite its short run?
Absolutely. Viewers praised the series as “fun,” “delightfully juicy,” and perfect for binge-watching.
While some wanted deeper character chemistry, most agreed it offers a charming, binge-worthy experience with beautiful visuals.
Where was The Lady’s Companion filmed?
About 60% of the series was shot at Netflix’s Tres Cantos production center in Madrid.
With the remaining scenes filmed on location in historic areas of Madrid and Barcelona, such as the Royal Palace of La Granja, Jardín del Príncipe and Sant Pau, to recreate late 19th-century Spain with both scale and authenticity.
Conclusion
The Lady’s Companion may have only lasted eight episodes, but it leaves a lasting glow.
It combines lush period detail with a lively energy that never feels stuffy, thanks to Nadia de Santiago’s warm central performance and a cast that sparkles with chemistry.
From stolen glances in sun-dappled courtyards to whispered secrets behind lace fans, the series proves that even the strictest rules of society cannot contain matters of the heart.
If you’re craving romance, wit, and a touch of scandal wrapped in sumptuous visuals, The Lady’s Companion is the perfect binge, short though the journey may be.