Locked Up (TV series)

Locked Up
SpanishVis a vis
Genre
Created by
Starring
Theme music composer
  • Iván Martínez Lacámara
  • Manel Santisteban
Opening theme"Agnus Dei" by Cecilia Krull
Country of originSpain
Original languageSpanish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes48
Production
Production locationSpain
Running time75 minutes (seasons 1–2)
50 minutes (seasons 3–4)
Production companyGlobomedia
Original release
Network
Release20 April 2015 (2015-04-20) –
4 February 2019 (2019-02-04)
Related
Vis a vis: El oasis

Locked Up (Spanish: Vis a Vis)[1][n. 1] is a Spanish serial drama television series produced by Globomedia, initially for Spanish Network Antena 3 and later for Fox Spain. It premiered on 20 April 2015.[2] The series focuses on Macarena Ferreiro, who is sent to prison for fiscal offenses and goes on to depict prison life and the corruption of law-enforcement bodies.

One year after Antena 3 cancelled the show, Fox Spain announced they had picked up the series for a third season, which premiered on 23 April 2018. It became the most watched paid TV in its timeslot. A fourth and final series premiered on 3 December 2018. Additionally, Netflix also bought global streaming rights for the show.[3][4][5]

Following the show's initial cancellation, several cast members moved on to other projects, resulting in major cast changes in seasons 3 and 4. Production also moved to a different filming location, as the previous studio became the set of another Álex Pina show, Money Heist. Maggie Civantos, who played the series' main character in the first two seasons, had her role reduced due to her commitment to another show, Cable Girls. However, Najwa Nimri, Berta Vázquez, María Isabel Díaz Lago, Marta Aledo, Laura Buena and Alba Flores returned as main cast members.

A spin-off entitled Vis a vis: El oasis was released in 2020, and focuses on Macarena and Zulema, and serves as the last installment of the series.[6]

Plot

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Macarena Ferreiro Molina is a Spanish woman who falls in love with her boss and commits embezzlement. She is accused of four tax crimes and consequently imprisoned at the Cruz del Sur Prison as a precautionary measure with a high bail set.

In prison, Macarena learns that to avoid projected seven-year sentence she will likely receive if convicted depends on changing, evolving and becoming a different person. To pay the bail, her family outside searches for a large sum of money hidden somewhere.

Series overview

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAve. viewers (millions)
and share
First airedLast airedNetwork
11120 April 2015 (2015-04-20)2 July 2015 (2015-07-02)Antena 33.547 (19.9%)
21331 March 2016 (2016-03-31)22 June 2016 (2016-06-22)2.431 (14.2%)
3823 April 2018 (2018-04-23)11 June 2018 (2018-06-11)FOX Spain0.151 (0.8%)
483 December 2018 (2018-12-03)4 February 2019 (2019-02-04)0.129 (0.7%)

Season 1 (2015)

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Framed by her lover for corporate fraud, young Macarena Ferreiro finds herself locked up in a high security women's prison surrounded by tough, ruthless criminals.

Still in denial, prison proves to be a very rude awakening for Macarena and at the end of her first day, she finds herself struggling to cope. Yolanda, her cellmate, takes Macarena under her wing, but a midnight visit from Zulema, the prison's most dangerous inmate, is about to change Macarena's life forever.

Season 2 (2016)

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Zulema, Saray and Macarena escape from prison. With Sandoval's (Ramiro Blas) bribery, Miranda (Cristina Plazas) imposes stricter prison rules and regulations in response to their escape. With authority from the director to use any extreme measures to discipline misbehaving inmates, some officials abuse their power on some of the inmates.

Season 3 (2018)

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Saray, Rizos, Sole (María Isabel Díaz Lago), Tere (Marta Aledo), Anabel (Inma Cuevas), Antonia (Laura Baena) and Zulema (Najwa Nimri) adapt to the new environment of Cruz del Norte after being transferred to the new prison.

Season 4 (2018–2019)

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Season four deals with the aftermath of Zulema (Najwa Nimri), Saray (Alba Flores) and Altagracia's (Adriana Paz) escape. Altagracia, who used to terrorize the woman inmates as a prison guard, is now one of them. Sandoval is the new director of Cruz del Norte.

Cast and characters

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While the show initially focused on the character of Macarena Ferreiro, portrayed by Maggie Civantos, it became an ensemble show.[7]

Cruz del Sur female inmates

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  • Maggie Civantos as Macarena Ferreiro: A young woman sentenced to prison for seven years due to embezzlement. (season 1–2, Oasis; Recurring: season 3–4).
  • Najwa Nimri as Zulema Zahir: Known as the queen of prison due to her criminal records and illegal activities even while incarcerated. (season 1–4, Oasis).
  • Berta Vázquez as Estefania "Rizos" Kabila: A young prisoner in prison for four years due for auto theft. (season 1–4).
  • Alba Flores as Saray Vargas de Jesús: A young woman sentenced for assault. (season 1–4, Guest: Oasis).
  • Inma Cuevas as Ana Belén "Anabel" Vila Roig Garcés: A woman sentenced to 9 years for prostitution and drugs. (season 1–3).
  • María Isabel Díaz Lago as Soledad Núñez Hurtado: A prisoner who burned her husband and mistress to death. (seasons 1–4).
  • Laura Baena as Antonia Trujillo Díez: The prison cook, must serve 5 years.
  • Belén Cuesta as Yolanda Montero

Cruz del Sur employees

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  • Roberto Enríquez as Fabio Martínez León: A hot-tempered prison guard and former police officer. (season 1–2, Guest: 3).
  • Ramiro Blas as Carlos Sandoval Castro: The prison doctor of Cruz del Sur and director of Cruz del Norte. (season 1–2,4, Guest: 3, Oasis).
  • Cristina Plazas as Miranda Aguirre Senén: The director of Cruz Del Sur. (season 1–2).
  • Alberto Velasco as Antonio Palacios Lloret: A friendly prison guard.(season 1–2,4).
  • Harlys Becerra as Ismael Valbuena Ugarte: An antagonistic chief prison guard. (season 1–2).
  • Ana Labordeta as Paloma Garrido "Governor": The head prison guard. (Recurring season 1).

Macarena's family

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  • Carlos Hipólito as Leopoldo Ferreiro Lobo: Macarena's father and former police guard. (season 1–2).
  • María Salgueiro [es] as Encarna Molina: Macarena's mother. (season 1–2).
  • Daniel Ortiz as Román Ferreiro Molina: Macarena's older brother. (season 1–2, Guest: Oasis).

Cruz del Norte inmates

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  • Ruth Díaz as Mercedes Carrillo –A mother and a politician in the local district that was sentenced to prison due to corruption. (season 3; guest: 4).
  • Huichi Chiu [es] as Akame: Leader of the Chinese gang in Cruz del Norte and antagonistic towards the newly transferred inmates from Cruz del Sur. (season 3).
  • Ana Marzoa as Prudencia Mosqueira: Soledad's friend in prison. (season 3).
  • Itziar Castro as Goya Fernández: One of the self-proclaimed leaders of Cruz del Norte and a drug dealer. (season 3–4, Oasis).
  • Abril Zamora as Luna Garrido –A transgender inmate who befriended the Cruz del Sur inmates, also a drug addict. (season 3–4).

Cruz del Norte employees

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  • Javier Lara as Álex Moncada: Director of Cruz del Norte. (season 3).
  • Luis Callejo as Andrés Frutos: A prison guard who secretly trades with the Chinese inmates. (season 3).
  • Adriana Paz as Altagracia Guerrero: An ex-prisoner and an antagonistic prison guard, Zulema's accomplice. (season 3–4).
  • Cristina Marcos as Magdalena Cruz: Owner of Cruz del Sur, del Norte, del Oeste, and the newly planned del Este. (season 4).
  • Benjamín Vicuña as Antonio Hierro: A strict prison guard assigned to monitor Zulema. (season 4).
  • Zaira Pérez as Nuria Millán: Prison guard in Cruz del Norte. (Recurring season 3–4).

Police

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  • Jesús Castejón as Inspector Damián Castillo: The head detective of the police force. (season 1–4, Guest: Oasis).
  • Hugo Guzmán as Camilo Jalapeño: Inspector Castillo's partner. (Recurring season 2).
  • Verónika Moral as Helena Martín: An undercover cop in prison.(season 2).
  • Jose Javier Domínguez as Inspector Pipiolo: Inspector Castillo's partner. (Recurring season 2).
  • Irene Anula as Inspector Nerea Rojas: Inspector Castillo's partner, Rizos' love interest. (Recurring season 3).

Cast summary

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Characters
Actor Character season
1 2 3 4 Oasis
Maggie Civantos       Macarena Ferreiro Molina Main Recurring Main
Najwa Nimri       Zulema Zahir Main
Carlos Hipólito     Leopoldo Ferreiro Lobo Main
Roberto Enríquez     Fabio Martínez León Main Guest
Cristina Plazas   Miranda Aguirre Senén Main
Berta Vázquez   Estefanía Kabila Silva "Curly" Main
Alba Flores     Saray Vargas de Jesús Main Guest
Inma Cuevas   Ana Belén "Anabel" Villaroch Garcés Main Guest
María Isabel Díaz   Soledad "Sole" Núñez Hurtado Main
María Salgueiro [es]   Encarna Molina Main
Ramiro Blas     Carlos Sandoval Castro Main Guest Main Guest
Alberto Velasco   Antonio Palacios Lloret Main Main
Marta Aledo   Teresa "Tere" González Largo Main
Daniel Ortiz     Román Ferreio Molina Main Guest
Harlys Becerra   Ismael Valbuena Ugarte Main
Laura Baena   Antonia Trujillo Díez Main
Jesús Castejón [es]     Inspector Damián Castillo Recurring Main Guest
Ruth Díaz   Mercedes Carrillo Main Guest
Huichi Chiu   Akame Main
Javier Lara   Álex Moncada Main
Ana Marzoa   Prudencia "Pruden" Mosqueira Guest Also Starring
Luis Callejo   Andrés Frutos Also Starring
Adriana Paz     Altagracia Guerrero Also Starring
Itziar Castro     Goya Fernández Recurring Main
Abril Zamora   Luna Garrido Recurring Main
Georgina Amorós   Fátima Amín Recurring
Cristina Marcos   Magdalena Cruz Also Starring
Benjamín Vicuña   Antonio Hierro Also Starring
David Ostrosky   Víctor Ramala Main
Lucas Ferraro   Cepo Sandoval Castro Main
Ana María Picchio   Ama Castro Recurring
Isabel Naveira   Laura "La Flaca" Ros Also Starring
Lisi Linder   Mónica Ramala Also Starring
Claudia Riera   Triana Azcoitia Also Starring
Alma Itzel   Kati Ramala Also Starring
Fernando Sansegundocomo   Matías "Mati"Maneses Also Starring
Iván Morales   Javier Colsa Also Starring
José de la Torre   Pérez Also Starring
Almagro San Miguel   Diego Ramala Also Starring
Lolo Diego   Apolo Also Starring
Pablo Vázquez   Julián Quintanilla Also Starring
Natalia Hernández   Elena Also Starring
Paula Gallego   Virginia "Vivi" Quintanilla Also Starring
Ismael Palacios   Lucas Also Starring
  = Lead character
  = Macarena Ferreio's relatives
  = Inmates
  = Prison staff
  = Police inspectors
  = Oasis Characters

International broadcast

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Season 1 started broadcasting in the United Kingdom on 17 May 2016 on Channel 4's Walter Presents video-on-demand service.[8] In 2017, Prime Video acquired the first two seasons for the United States, and in 2018, Hulu acquired the first four seasons for Japan.[9] In Greece, the series premiered on 27 November 2018 on ERT.[10] Netflix bought the rights for international distribution in 2017.

The series is also available for a limited amount of time on the online streaming service 'VTMGO' by the Belgian broadcaster VTM.

Reception

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Critical response

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Critics praised the cast's acting and fast-paced storyline. "The acting is strong throughout, the characters engaging and believable, the script is fast-paced and captivating, and it looks beautiful on screen with some creative and imaginative camerawork."[11] Rebecca Nicholson from The Guardian says that the show is "tremendously silly and fantastically taut thriller that carries itself at a breathless pace".[12]

"This is violent – brutally so – and very graphic in its portrayal of life in a women's prison. But utterly brilliant at the same time. It is dark with a constant air of threat and menace running through it. I love it." from Martin Howse of Entertainment Focus.[13]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominees Result Ref.
2015 Ondas Awards Best Actress Female Cast of Vis a Vis Won [14]
FesTVal de Televisión y Radio de Vitoria Discovery of the Year Vis a Vis Won
Premios MiM Best Drama Actress for Television Maggie Civantos Won
2016 Spanish Actors Union Awards Best Female Lead Performance Maggie Civantos Won [15]
Najwa Nimri Nominated
Best Male Lead Performance Roberto Enríquez Nominated
Best Female Performance in Supporting Role Alba Flores Nominated
Best Female Performance in Minor Role Inma Cuevas Won
Marta Aledo Nominated
Premios Iris Best Actress Najwa Nimri Nominated
Best Actor Carlos Hipolito Nominated
Best Fiction Vis a Vis Nominated
Best Production Cristina López Ferrar, Juan López Olivar Nominated
Fotogramas de Plata Audience Award for Best Spanish Series Vis a Vis Nominated
Festival de Luchon (France) Best Spanish Fiction Vis a Vis Won
Premios Paramount Channel Best Villain Najwa Nimri Won
Best Upcoming Actress Berta Vázquez Won
Premios MiM Best Drama Series Vis a Vis Won
Best Direction Vis a Vis Nominated
2017 Spanish Actors Union Awards Best Female Lead Performance Maggie Civantos Nominated [15]
Najwa Nimri Nominated
Best Male Lead Performance Roberto Enríquez Nominated
Best Female Performance in Supporting Role Alba Flores Won
Best Female Performance in Minor Role Inma Cuevas Won
Maria Isabel Díaz Nominated
Feroz Awards Best Drama Series Vis a Vis Nominated
Best Lead Actress Maggie Civantos Nominated
Najwa Nimri Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Alba Flores Nominated
Inma Cuevas Nominated
Fotogramas de Plata Audience Award for Best Spanish Series Vis a Vis Won
Best TV Actress Najwa Nimri Nominated
Premios Fenix Awards Best TV Ensemble Vis a Vis Nominated
2018 Premios Iris (ATv) Best Actress Alba Flores Nominated [15]
Best Director Jesus Colmenar, Sandra Gallego, David Molina Encinas, Jesus Rodrigo Nominated
Premios MiM Best Drama Series Vis a Vis Nominated
Best Drama Actress Najwa Nimri Nominated
2019 Spanish Actors Union Awards Best Male Performance in a Minor Role Jesus Castejon Nominated [15]
Best Female Newcomer Abril Zamora Nominated
Feroz Awards Best Lead Actress Najwa Nimri Nominated
Fotogramas de Plata Best TV Actress Najwa Nimri Won
The Platino Awards for Iberoamerican Cinema Best Actress in Mini series or TV Series Najwa Nimri Nominated
Spanish Audio Visual Award Best TV Show Music Manel Santisteban, Ivan Martinez Lacamara Nominated
2020 Spanish Actors Union Awards Best Male Supporting Performance Alberto Velasco Nominated [15]

Spin-off

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A spin-off series titled Vis a vis: El Oasis premiered in April 2020. The show focuses on Macarena and Zulema teaming up together. The spin-off serves as the last season for the series.[6][16]

Notes

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  1. ^ Meaning 'Face to face [meeting]' and more specifically '[private] prison visit' / 'conjugal visit' in Spanish

References

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  1. ^ Jabonero, Daniel (22 January 2015). "Antena 3 se monta su propio 'Orange is the new Black' en 'Vis a Vis'". Bluper (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  2. ^ "El estreno de 'Vis a vis' se impone por 300.000 espectadores al regreso de 'La que se avecina'". Te Interesa (in Spanish). 21 April 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Fox vuelve a meter a las mujeres de 'Vis a vis' en la cárcel". El País (in Spanish). Madrid. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  4. ^ El Confi TV (4 April 2018). "'Vis a vis' estrenará el 23 de abril su tercera temporada en Fox España". El Confidencial (in Spanish). Titania Compañía Editorial, S.L. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Vis a vis: temporada 4 comienza grabaciones en España y confirma regreso de estas actrices". La Prensa (in Spanish). 8 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Vis a Vis confirma su spin-off". La Cosa Cine (in Spanish). 23 May 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Personajes de 'Vis a Vis'". Antena 3 (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  8. ^ Mayorga, Emilio (15 May 2016). "MipTV: Spanish 'Locked-Up' Jail Thriller Clinches U.K. Sale". Variety. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ^ Pecino, Manuel (15 October 2018). "'Vis a vis': Hulu Japón adquiere los derechos de emisión de las cuatro primeras temporadas". FórmulaTV (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Vis A Vis στην ΕΡΤ1" (in Greek).
  11. ^ "Walter Presents:Locked Up Series 3 preview – a violent but brilliant drama". entertainmentfocus.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Locked Up review-tremendously silly and fantastically taut". theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Walter Presents:Locked Up Series 3 preview – a violent but brilliant drama". entertainment-focus.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  14. ^ Redondo, David (28 October 2015). "Las chicas de Vis a Vis y El ministerio del tiempo triunfan en los premios Ondas". Los 40 (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d e "Vis a Vis Awards and Nominations". IMDB. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  16. ^ Vis a vis el oasis capitulo 3 online temporada 5: a qué hora, cómo y dónde ver en vivo
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