La peste

This Spanish series is set in sixteenth century Seville when an outbreak of the bubonic plague has caused the city to be closed; much to the consternation of merchants involved in trade with the Spanish colonies in the New World. If concerns about illness weren't enough there have been a series of murders; Mateo Núñez, a former soldier who has returned to Seville to find the son of a friend despite being condemned by the inquisition for printing heretical works, is told he will be spared if he investigates the crimes.

If you like your historical dramas sanitised with healthy looking characters then this isn't for you. Even without the omnipresent threat of the plague most of the story is set in dark, filthy back alleys where violence could lurk around any corner. I confess that I found the story a little confusing at times but as it reached its conclusion it really came together and we get a solid conclusion. There are some fairly disturbing scene; including the sight of people being burnt at the stake. The cast does an impressive job, making us believe in their characters. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of historical dramas that don't sugar-coat the past.

These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish with English subtitles.

Spain had become an empire by the 1500's, the most powerful country in Europe at the time. A time of plague, the Inquisition, superstition, and hyper-religiosity. The plague struck terror in people because it killed so quickly and so many, with no known cause. People had an inkling of what infection might be, but without science, they turned to omens and to the supernatural. Solid acting, sets, costumes, locations, & CGI.

A thoroughly engrossing six-parter recently aired by the BBC. There's some nudity so it's not 'family friendly' but it's still great telly.

The Spanish have found a way to make the plague interesting!

There's so much more than just the plague, too... there's the Spanish Inquisition, unscrupulous merchants and the cruel politics of the Spanish empire of five centuries ago.

Spoil yourself with some great adult drama and watch this.

The evocation of 16C Seville is incredible and without a vast amount of special effects, you feel all the rhythms of the city, a long with its finery, stench and hypocrisy. It doesn't pull any punches and the rigid strata of society with their inflexible norms and to the sense of claustrophobia. The plotting is tight and the characters beautifully drawn. None is a saint but neither are they pure sinners; just people trying to get by. Gorgeous filmography completes the picture. Unmissable.

What a surprise to found this gem ! How come I never heard of this serie? I've seen so many foreign series, I would say this was one of the best Spanish series I've ever seen ! Acting was phenomenal ! Lead actor performance was so good! The epidemic plague with those disgusting scenery feels real.. Very dark,eerie, haunting, mystery, drama, history, thriller all combines into what makes this series a great one to binge !