Antena 3 premiered the historical drama series Las hijas de la criada in its prime time slot on Thursday, September 3. The television adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Sonsoles Ónega, which won the Planeta Prize in 2023.
The network debut follows the show's initial release on the atresplayer platform, where it became Atresmedia's most successful platform premiere of the past three years. The series is now introducing its cast of characters to a new, wider television audience.
Set in the Spanish region of Galicia at the beginning of the 20th century, the drama begins with the simultaneous births of two girls, Clara and Catalina. Renata, a maid, secretly swaps her own newborn daughter, Clara, with Catalina, the child of her employers, don Gustavo and doña Inés Valdés.
The baby swap sets in motion a complicated storyline that explores themes of forbidden love, betrayals, class struggle, envy and family secrets across the subsequent decades.
The Valdés family patriarch and matriarch
Verónica Sánchez stars as Inés Lazariego, a courageous and nonconformist woman born in Vigo to a family involved in the naval industry. Inés moved to Cuba as a child and studied in New York before meeting Gustavo in Spanish circles in Havana, where they fell in love.
The couple returns to Galicia to build a sawmill. Despite her privileged background, life trajectory and manners, which suggest a haughty nature, Inés breaks prejudices and earns the acceptance of the female sawmill workers and women of the sea.
Inés becomes the first female boss of a cannery, named La Deslumbrante. Combative in a male-dominated business world, she finds great support in Clara, the maid's daughter. However, her own daughter Catalina views the relationship with suspicion and offers Inés only reproaches.
Alain Hernández plays Gustavo Valdés, the family patriarch. Although he appears upright and affectionate in the eyes of his wife, Gustavo is secretly tormented by his inability to control his passion for the maid Renata.
Gustavo views the birth of the two girls on the same day as a curse. Displaying cowardice behind a facade of bravery, he uses the opportunity to return to Cuba to manage his family's sugar mill as the only way to recover his life.
Gustavo's weakness leads him to make decisions that increasingly distance him from his wife and children. He strives to maintain his image as a respectable businessman and exemplary father while dealing with the terrible consequences of his past actions.
The maid's revenge
Carlota Baró portrays Renata Comesaña, the maid at the Valdés estate. Renata possesses a wild beauty and an indomitable spirit. She lives in the groundskeepers' house, where her husband rarely visits, spending most of his time at the local tavern.
Renata soon attracts the interest of Gustavo, leading to a secret relationship and the birth of their daughter, Clara. When Gustavo rejects her, Renata is fueled by resentment and a thirst for revenge. She makes the fateful decision to swap the babies, permanently altering the destinies of both families.
The switched daughters
Judith Fernández plays Clara Alonso Comesaña, who is born on a winter night in 1900 at the Pazo de Espíritu Santo. Clara is intelligent, curious and sensitive, but her life is marked from day one by the silenced event of her parentage.
Clara grows up in a modest environment with a violent father and a mother, Renata, who rarely acts maternally toward her. She forms a close bond with doña Inés, which revolutionizes her world. Clara shares her ambitions, dreams and her growing love for a young sailor named Celso with the matriarch.
Described as a firecracker among the other sawmill workers, Clara is always accompanied by her friend Esther. With determination and a strong sense of justice, Clara secures better working conditions for her female colleagues. Her actions also awaken the interest of Jaime, with whom she develops a very special relationship.
Martina Cariddi plays Catalina Valdés, the other girl born on that 1900 winter night at the estate. Catalina grows up cloaked in the privileges and love of the Valdés family. Gustavo treats her as his weakness out of guilt over fathering another child.
However, Inés is highly critical of Catalina's arrogance and the capricious attitude she displays toward life, which causes Catalina to clash repeatedly with her brother. Proud and classist, the underhanded Catalina is suspicious of the complicity between her mother and Clara, and does not hesitate to use dark arts against the maid's daughter.
Love triangles and class conflict
Álex Villazán portrays Jaime Valdés Lazariego, the eldest Valdés son. Kind, calm and considerate, his strong sense of responsibility makes him a great support for Inés, while putting him at odds with Catalina's rebellion.
Jaime carefully measures his steps before launching into tasks, wanting to do things right. Upon returning from Cuba, he falls in love with Clara at first sight. Although he knows other women would be more suitable matches, he fantasizes about conquering her. Clara's love for the sailor Celso brings out Jaime's most visceral side, as he is capable of anything for the girl who has become his weakness.
Tomy Aguilera takes on the role of Celso, Clara's great love. Celso is attractive, witty and captivating, sharing Clara's deep idealism and sense of justice. Despite his humble origins, he refuses to settle and fights to change his reality.
Celso's combative character and leadership capacity give him a highly visible role in the workers' revolts to improve conditions. This prominent position brings him into direct conflict with both Jaime and Braulio Barba.
Roque Ruiz plays Braulio Barba Peláez, who, alongside Jaime and Catalina, is one of the privileged youths of Punta do Bico's high society. A worthy son of his parents, Braulio is determined to make money and rub shoulders with the country's most important businessmen, making him ruthless regarding the workers' demands.
Highly self-assured and aware of his own charms, Braulio initiates a push and pull with Catalina moved by curiosity. What starts as a game for both of them eventually evolves into something more.
