Inside: 5 Binge-worthy Netflix Shows for Spanish Teachers. Shows in Spanish on Netflix Spanish teachers want to watch.
How many of you feel that your own language skills could use some work since you spend your day using novice or intermediate level Spanish with language learners? How many of you are end of the year exhausted and just want to lay on your couch when you get home? I have the solution for you, binge watching Netflix in Spanish!
OK. OK. I understand that you only have 24 hours in a day. If you are a full time teaching mom of two little kids like me, you may just sneak in episodes during weekend naps and after they go to bed over a long period of time. Maybe right now is too crazy, so you can file these suggestions away for the glorious summer that is coming. (It is just too bad you can not use watching Spanish TV for official professional development points. Course: Netflix for Spanish teachers).
*Please note that most of these shows would NOT be appropriate for students and are for your personal enjoyment only. As with anything, if you are thinking of using it in class, I would recommend watching it first to see if it would work with your students and school culture.
These are my UPDATED Binge-worthy Netflix shows for Spanish teachers, listed from least commitment to most.
Siempre Bruja
2 seasons – 18 total episodes (about 40 minutes each)
This is a Netflix original series made in Colombia. It follows a time traveling witch from the 1600s to the present. Carmen is a slave in the past, and I know there are some people who are upset about the portrayal of a slave who is in love with her master. Personally, the storyline is a little cheesy at times (think old Sabrina the Teenage Witch). What I love most is the vibrant culture of Colombia. The present day scenes are filled with beautiful, Cartagena, bright and cute clothes, glorious beaches, afro-latinx representation, and awesome popular music. For more information watch the trailer on Netflix. This is the only show that I would possibly use snippets of in class, to show Cartagena.
Ingobernable
2 seasons – 27 total episodes (about 40 minutes each)
This is a Netflix original series made in Mexico. The story line is the first lady of Mexico is wanted for her husband’s murder and finds help with an eclectic new crew. This dramatic telenovela is Not appropriate for school. The show includes romance, crime and drama. It is a fun mix of current drama and flashbacks, all helping to piece together the night of the crime. To be honest, I really enjoyed the first season, but season 2 was just OK. For more information watch the trailer on Netflix.
Elite
3 seasons – 28 total episodes (about 50 minutes each)
This is a Netflix original series made in Spain. It is a teen drama that I really hoped would be OK for school but is is NOT appropriate to show in school. They might be teenagers, but there is a lot of nudity, sex, drugs, and parting. If you enjoy teen dramas like Riverdale & Pretty Little Liars, this is right up your alley. It is soapy, drama filled, plus the twists of murder. It also has a more diverse cast than many shows set in Spain. For more information watch the trailer on Netflix.
Las Chicas del Cable
4 seasons – 8 episodes (about 50 minutes each)
The week the first season of this show premiered, I finished it. (A rainy and cold weekend at home meant that it was time to binge watch Spanish TV). I really enjoyed it and watched each season as it came out the last couple of years.
Las Chicas del Cable is the first Netflix original show from Spain. It is set in 1920’s Madrid and follows four girls from different backgrounds who work as cable girls for the phone company. I am pretty excited to see some of my favorite Spanish actors all back together again. (If you have seen El Internado the actors who play Julia, Iván and Marcos all star in this show as well). Check out the trailer and start watching it on Netflix here.
Velvet
4 seasons – 55 total episodes (about 75-85 minutes each)
Velvet is a show originally from Spain’s Antena 3 in from 2013-2016. This drama takes place in 1950’s Spain and centers around one of the most prestigious fashion stores in Spain. It has amazing fashion, cars and 1950’s style. If you love old Hollywood style glamour, you will enjoy this romantic telenovela. If you have watched other Antena 3 shows, you will see a lot of repeat actors from Gran Hotel and El Internado. I know for many, it is their favorite, but sometimes the long episode make be tired. To see if you would like to commit to this show, check out the trailer here.
More Suggestions
If you want a show to actually show in class, check out Go! Vive a tu manera.
If you would like more suggestions of shows to binge watch, check out this post. Sra. Speedy lists what she is currently watching to keep up her own Spanish, using a variety of sources. I am personally a fan of Netflix, so I included binge worthy shows that I have personally watched.
If you are looking for more ways of how to maintain your own Spanish while teaching lower levels check out the post by Jessica.
What are your favorite shows in Spanish to keep up your own skills? Please share in the comments!
– Allison
23 Comments
One thing I hate about Spanish TV, and especially Netflix Original shows, is that they don't have the same TV rules & standards as the US. I stopped watching Ingobernable, Club de Cuervos, Marco Polo, and some others within 15 minutes due to excess cuss words & nudity. Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to watch that stuff. I also prefer finding things I can maybe watch parts of in classes too.
I just recently started watching La Esclava Blanca on Netflix too & really like it. I also like Laura, Una Vida Extraordinaria on Hulu. Also loved Velvet, Gran Hotel & Tiempo Entre Costuras, as well as La Fuga, but I know not all are still available on Netflix or Hulu.
I was totally drawn in by 'Isabel' on rtve.es. Three seasons of great programing.
Los Caballeros Las Prefieren Brutas from Colombia is a great one, and the star, Valerie Domínguez happens to be Shakira's first cousin! I love Velvet and El Internado as well. There's a new one with Yon González (Iván from El Internado) called "Off Course" (en español, Perdiendo El norte) about two young Spaniards who immigrate to Berlin and find it's not what they expected. Also, Celia is great if you're talking about Cuba.
Thank you for all of your suggestions!
I will have to check that out!
I agree that finding "clean" programming can be challenging. Thanks for the suggestions!
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I am surprised no one has mentioned "La Niña" on Netflix! Totally binge worthy and I loved it so much! I learned some great new songs to share with my 8th graders and found myself using new phrases instinctively in class. It is set in Colombia and is based on true events of a guerrila fighter. The language is not excessive (I feel the same way) and there are some harder scenes to watch, but it is done very well.
Secretario and Celia are much watches too! El Gran Hotel was also great, but no longer on Netflix 🙁
If anyone is looking for clean stuff and you don't mind kid's shows, then I suggest Masha and The Bear. You have to switch it to Spanish via the language settings. It is really easy to follow because it's a toddler talking to a bear. It's also pretty funny if you like "cute antics".
Celia! I'm obsessed 🙂
I loved "La esclava blanca". I am a big fan of historical fiction and this one has lots of it along with a compelling storyline.
It is back. I just finished binge watching it
The Time in Between on Netflix is addicting!!! It's in Spanish too❤️
I second, third, fourth, and fifth this suggestions. La Nina is my fave show to date…. Also, La Esclava Blanca is fantastic too!
They pulled El Internado from Netfix this past August! Voy a comprar los DVD's.Mike Pet's resources about El Internado are no longer available. Double bummer!
my favorite has been el barco, amazing, amazing, amazing and wonderful if you like science fiction and suspense. You totally get hooked, though, so easy to binge…….so easy to binge………
One of my favorite Netflix series in spanish is La Niña. It is a Colombian series that talks about children who have been forcibly recruited to the guerilla and then their journey to reintegration in the society. Although it is still a telenovela, there are some really relevant themes. It's my all time favorite!!
I loved tiempos de guerra!!
“El Dandy” is my favorite. I was obsessed with this from start to finish!
I agree, La Niña and Celia are genuine stories. Both are well done and depict real life struggles ending with a positive message.
I loved this one and I began showing it to my AP Spanish classes before it was pulled from Netflix.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Grand Hotel, as I show this every year to my Spanish 4 Honor students. It has amazing plot twists and really keeps the tension building throughout the series.