Today marks the debut of the first five episodes of HBO Max’s latest original TV show from Brazil. Titled Madam Beja, this period Brazilian telenovela will feature a total of 40 episodes inspired by the life of Ana Jacinta de São José, a historical figure from Minas Gerais.
What do we know about HBO Max’s Madam Beja?
HBO Max’s Madam Beja is a remake of a classic telenovela that originally aired in the 1980s. The adaptation stars Grazi Massafera, David Junior, André Luiz Miranda, Bianca Bin, and Nikolas Antunes. The writing team includes Daniel Berlinsky and António Barreira, with contributions from Maria Clara Mattos, Cecília Giannetti, Clara Anastácia, and Ceci Alves. The production is based on a synopsis developed by Renata Jhin, António Barreira, and Daniel Berlinsky, reinterpreting the original work created by Wilson Aguiar Filho.
The official logline states that “the new show follows a woman who challenges the social norms of her time in a context marked by restrictions and inequalities. Throughout the plot, themes such as desire, freedom, power, and revenge intertwine to shape a complex character whose intelligence and independence place her in constant conflict.”
The creative team has constructed a set spanning 1,710m² and crafted over 3,000 costume pieces to bring this remake to life. The directing team includes Hugo de Sousa, with direction from Bia Coelho, João Boltshauser, Rogerio Sagui, Thiago Teitelroit, and Ana Angel. It is executive-produced by Adriana Silva (Dida), Roberta Guzzon, and Tayane Saad for Floresta, with Mariano César and Anouk Aaron overseeing production for Warner Bros. Discovery.
