A Única Mulher Explained

Genre:Romance, Melodrama, Mystery
Creator:Maria João Mira
André Ramalho
Developer:Plural Entertainment
Director:António Borges Correia
Starring:Lourenço Ortigão
Ana Sofia Martins
Rita Pereira
Alexandra Lencastre
José Wallenstein
(see more)
Opentheme:A Única Mulher by Anselmo Ralph
Endtheme:A Única Mulher by Anselmo Ralph
Country:Portugal
Language:Portuguese
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:561
Executive Producer:José Eduardo Moniz
Location:Portugal, Angola
Runtime:50min
Network:TVI

A Única Mulher (English: Mara - The Only One[1] | Spanish: La Única Mujer) is a Portuguese telenovela broadcast and produced by TVI. It is written by Maria João Mira, author of some of the biggest hits of the channel, and her son André Ramalho. The telenovela premiered on March 15, 2015[2] and aired at 9 pm (UTC) primetime slot. It was recorded between Lisbon (Portugal) and Luanda (Angola).

The telenovela was the second most watched program in its timeslot. After July, 2015, its ratings started increasing and had the best performance in October, regularly winning its timeslot. Its rising popularity led TVI to announce a second season one month before the ending.[3] [4] This is the first time that a Portuguese telenovela is split into seasons. The second season premiere hit the series' second highest score ever, becoming the most watched tv show in Portugal throughout the season and surpassing its competition.[5] [6] In 2016, the telenovela was renewed once again for a third season.[7] [8]

The debut of the new season in May made similar ratings to the second season, continuing its leading position.[9] TVI is already debating about a possible fourth season.[10]

Note: Each percentage point of rating equals 95,000 viewers. These numbers do not include recorded or delayed viewing, only live views.

Production

The telenovela was first announced in March 2014 by Maria João Mira, whose last telenovela was Doida Por Ti in 2012.[11] By August, the telenovela received its first title, Project Angola, and the first names of the main cast: actresses Alexandra Lencastre, Rita Pereira[12] and international Portuguese model and presenter Ana Sofia Martins.[13] The cast would also be played by African and Brazilian actors. The plot addresses racism, xenophobia and political crisis.José Eduardo Moniz, advisor of TVI's programs, reveals Angola has one of the main sets of the telenovela, with long-run scenes, along with Portugal. Shooting between two continents was one of the essential parts of the project. Later in November 2014, A Única Mulher was revealed as the official title in an exclusive event.[14] He was also involved in the concept of the main plot. The project's scale gives it the title of most expensive Portuguese telenovela ever and first to have long-run scenes between two different countries and continents. A Única Mulher started being recorded in November 2014. On March 13, 2015, two days before the premiere, the official launch event was broadcast by TVI.[15] The promotion of the telenovela started on February 13 and took place on television, web, exteriors, radio, newspapers and magazines and had a huge impact in the audience. Alongside, TVI was also promoting it as a "worldwide premiere", as it was the first Portuguese telenovela to be exported to another country without having debuted in Portugal. The telenovela was also featured in the 22nd anniversary celebrations of TVI.

The first scene of the telenovela begins at a mining site, where the main character Luís Miguel is taken by surprise by an explosion. This scene was recorded in Angola. The episode then rolls back to Portugal and everything is explained until the explosion took place.

Plot

Season 1

The collapse of a great national bank triggers the clash of two realities. And the conflict between two families.

Luís Miguel (Lourenço Ortigão) is a young engineer who seeks to build a career in Angola. He leaves behind a traditional and conservative family, one that has been affected by the crisis. His father, Jorge (José Wallenstein), owns a construction firm in Portugal which is at risk of filing for bankruptcy and his mother, Pilar (Alexandra Lencastre), expects to make money from a broken marriage.

Luís Miguel meets Mara (Ana Sofia Martins) in Angola, the nurse who saves him from near death. The girl’s father, Norberto (Ângelo Torres), is an Angolan businessman who has significant investments in Portugal and he is also the construction firm’s number one client. He holds the company’s fate in his hands but he bears a deep grudge against the Portuguese, since his father was murdered by one during the Colonial war. The legacy of this past and his current interests turn a corporate dispute into a clash of two worlds.

Yet nothing can survive the revenge of one woman. Luena (Rita Pereira) is the daughter of two returnees who lost everything when Angola gained its independence. She wants to get the estate back for her family above all else. Including above herself and her friend Miriam.

Season 2

One year later, Mara and Luís Miguels twin babies take their first steps.

Before dying, Cândida (Laurinda Chiungue) shows Vita (Maura Faial) her birth certificate which reveals that her real mother is still alive and working in Norberto Venâncios house. At first, Neuza (Mina Andala) does not believe in it. Later, she apologizes to her daughter and shows its willingness to be her mother. But Vita is not quite what she seems; along with César (Pêpê Rapazote), pediatrician, the duo arrives to haunt and destabilize the life of Mara and Luís Miguel.[16] Vita starts working as nanny of the twin babies and quietly seduces Luís Miguel. Betrayal is a matter of time...[17]

With her face disfigured and attached to a wheelchair, Pilar does not conform to her life. Apart from having been deceived and robbed by António (Pedro Carmo), Luís Miguel does not forgive how much harm she did to separate him from Mara. The whole family turn their back and she attempts suicide. Her children become worried and Luís Miguel, along with Mara, tries to prevent his mother's madness. In fact, Pilar will not facilitate the live of her children and daughter in law. Leandro (Fredy Costa) is her physiotherapist and will try everything for her to not lose hope of walking again one day, forming an unlikely friendship between her and a black race man, something she despised.[18]

Unable to overcome the death of her fiancé, Sara (Joana de Verona) closes herself in Diogos house and gets drunk every day. Concerned about the follies of his daughter, António recruits Tânia and Radu to follow and watch over her. At that time, Sara and Leandro know each other and the two engage in a romance also unlikely. But the self destructive stage of Sara will destabilize their love.

Norberto remains in prison and is threatened and beaten several times. Ramiro, also in the same prison, will try to save the Angolan businessman of problems, but ends up being stabbed. António tries at all costs to end Norbertos life in prison, but one of his hitman is killed and the evidences against Norberto are absolved.

Now out of prison, Norberto promises revenge and will not return alone, joining forces with Pilar to reclaim what was his and end with Antónios life.[19] [20] [21]

Cast

ActorCharacterSeason
123
Alexandra LencastrePilar Sacramentocolspan="3"
José WallensteinŽoržs Sacramentocolspan="3"
Rita PereiraLuena da Silvacolspan="3"
Ana Sofia MartinsMara Venânciocolspan="3"
Lourenço OrtigãoLuís Miguel Sacramentocolspan="3"
Ângelo TorresNorberto Venânciocolspan="3"
Mina AndalaNeuza dos Anjoscolspan="2"
Marta MelroRafaela Mestrecolspan="2"
Leonor SeixasSílvia Caiadocolspan="2"
Pedro LimaPedro Caiadocolspan="2"
Inês GonçalvesMafalda Barroscolspan="2"
João CatarréRamiro Nevescolspan="2"
Sílvia RizzoIsabel Batistacolspan="2"
Paula NevesConcha Albergariacolspan="2"
Paulo PiresHenrique Albergariacolspan="2"
Matilde BreynerMaria Antónia («Mitó») Borralhocolspan="2"
Lia GamaBerta Vieiracolspan="2"
Sofia BaessaYolanda Gamboacolspan="2"
Leandro PiresArtur Gamboacolspan="2"
Joana de VeronaSara Sacramentocolspan="2"
Kelly BaileyFrancisca Sacramentocolspan="2"
Bruno CabrerizoSantiago Ortizcolspan="2"
Sara PrataDaniela Fragosocolspan="2"
Nuno Homem de SáAlbino («Bino») das Dorescolspan="2"
Ana Marta FerreiraClara Albergariacolspan="2"
Ricardo de SáBruno Borralhocolspan="2"
Alberto MagasselaArsénio Kiandacolspan="2"
Gany FerreiraKizua Kiandacolspan="2"
Graciano DiasDiogo MendonçaGuest
Maria LeiteAna Maria BaptistaGuest
André NunesOrlando Barros
Orlando CostaSebastião Pereira
Catarina MatosIsaura («Isaurinha») das Dores
Irma RibeiroPatrícia das Dores
Manuel WiborgInspetor CamachoRecurring
Pedro CarmoAntónio de LucenaRecurring
Joana CâncioTâniaRecurring
João DideletRaduRecurring
Pedro BarrosoRodrigo DiasRecurring
Maura FaialVitaGuest
Rita BrüttInspetora LauraRecurringGuest
Rita CruzRosário VenâncioRecurring
Alfredo BritoRaúl FalcãoRecurring
Fredy CostaLeandro
Lídia FrancoGuilhermina («Mina») Albergaria
Pêpê RapazoteCésar Varela

Children

Broadcast

Country! style="width:9%"
ChannelTitleSeasonsPremiereFinaleTimeslotRef.
TVIA Única Mulher3March 15, 2015January 6, 2017Monday to Saturday, at 9.30pm
DStv1A Única Mulher2April 21, 2015?Monday to Friday, at 9 pm[22] [23] [24]
DStv1A Única Mulher2Monday to Friday, at 10 pm
Canal 13La Única Mujer1August 30, 2015February 19, 2016Monday to Friday, at 5.45pm[25] [26] [27]
TCVA Única Mulher1October 19, 2015?Monday to Saturday, at 7 pm[28]
TelefuturoLa Única Mujer1November 30, 2015May 27, 2016 Monday to Friday, at 7 pm[29]
SABC 2Mara - The Only One120172018Monday to Friday, at 12:30 pm
Monte Carlo TVLa Única Mujer1January 4, 2016?Monday to Friday, at 5 pm[30]
UnitelLa Única Mujer1August 10, 2016?Monday to Friday, at 11 am[31]
Réseau France Outre-mer (RFO) (French Overseas Territories)Mara, une femme unique[32] 1September 29, 2016?Monday to Friday, at 11 am[33]
El TreceLa Única Mujer12016[34]

Note: the telenovela was also broadcast on TVI's international channel, in over 10 countries.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Only Woman. July 21, 2015.
  2. Web site: 'A Única Mulher' chega à TVI a 15 de março . July 21, 2015 . Portuguese . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150722021941/http://www.dn.pt/Inicio/interior.aspx?content_id=4434105 . July 22, 2015 .
  3. Web site: What will happen in season 2. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  4. Web site: "The Only Woman" will have a second season. 22 July 2015 . March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  5. Web site: How many viewed "The Only Woman" and "5 To Midnight" . March 5, 2016 . Portuguese . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160306023717/http://www.dn.pt/media/interior/regressos-quantos-viram-a-unica-mulher-e-5-para-a-meianoite-4844270.html . March 6, 2016 .
  6. Web site: Find out how did the premiere of the second season of "The Only Woman". 20 October 2015 . March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  7. Web site: TVI considering third season of "The Only Woman". 15 January 2016 . March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  8. Web site: The Only Woman - Filming of 3rd season has already started. April 27, 2016. Portuguese. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513002957/http://portaldosprogramas.com/2016/03/10/unica-mulher-comecaram-as-gravacoes-da-terceira-temporada. May 13, 2016. dead.
  9. Web site: "The Only Womanr": third season premieres in the lead. May 24, 2016. Portuguese. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625011758/http://portaldosprogramas.com/2016/05/03/unica-mulher-terceira-temporada-estreia-na-lideranca. June 25, 2016. dead.
  10. Web site: The Only Woman - Season 4 might happen. 17 April 2016 . April 27, 2016. Portuguese.
  11. Web site: Maria João Mira já prepara nova novela para a TVI. 4 May 2014 . July 21, 2015. Portuguese.
  12. Web site: TVI aposta em Angola para nova novela . July 21, 2015 . Portuguese . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721230150/http://www.dn.pt/inicio/tv/interior.aspx?content_id=4070772 . July 21, 2015 .
  13. Web site: Conheça a protagonista de "Projeto Angola". 24 August 2014 . July 21, 2015. Portuguese.
  14. Web site: Apresentação da novela 'A Única Mulher'. July 21, 2015. Portuguese.
  15. Web site: Estrelas da nova novela da TVI brilham em festa de antestreia. 13 March 2015 . July 21, 2015. Portuguese.
  16. Web site: A Única Mulher - César. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  17. Web site: A Única Mulher - Vita. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  18. Web site: A Única Mulher - Leandro. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  19. Web site: A Única Mulher - October 17 to 23. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  20. Web site: Everything that Mara will suffer in Season 2 of "The Only Woman". March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  21. Web site: A Única Mulher - October 31 to November 6. March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  22. Web site: "A Única Mulher" estreia-se terça feira em Angola . July 21, 2015 . Portuguese . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721230011/http://www.dn.pt/Inicio/interior.aspx?content_id=4515034 . July 21, 2015 .
  23. Web site: DStv Angola adquire telenovela produzida pela TVI de Portugal. March 5, 2016. Portuguese. September 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150929010642/http://nextvbrasil.com/dstv-angola-adquire-telenovela-produzida-pela-tvi-de-portugal/. dead.
  24. Web site: DStv1. . March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  25. Web site: Nueva teleserie: La Única Mujer. July 30, 2015. Spanish. August 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150815012503/http://www.13.cl/espectaculos/television/nueva-teleserie-la-unica-mujer. dead.
  26. Web site: Canal 13 importa teleserie portuguesa en busca de emular el éxito turco. 31 July 2015 . March 5, 2016. Spanish.
  27. Web site: Así será el intenso arribo de una teleserie portuguesa a Canal 13. 28 August 2015 . March 5, 2016. Portuguese.
  28. Web site: TCV estreia novela portuguesa "A Única Mulher". March 5, 2016. Portuguese. https://web.archive.org/web/20161105100931/http://muzika.sapo.cv/novidades/tcv-estreia-novela-portuguesa-a-unica-mulher. 2016-11-05. dead.
  29. Web site: Se viene muy pronto La Unica Mujer. . March 5, 2016. Spanish.
  30. Web site: "La Única Mujer" debuta en la pantalla de Monte Carlo TV. March 5, 2016. Spanish.
  31. Web site: Belleza portuguesa llega para conquistar la pantalla chica. March 5, 2016. Spanish.
  32. Web site: Résumé - outre-mer 1ère. 2016-09-02. 2016-09-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20160913175539/http://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/emissions/mara-une-femme-unique/resume.html. dead.
  33. Web site: Mara : une femme unique : épisodes 1-10 - Télémag +. 2016-09-02. www.telemagplus.re. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118145437/http://www.telemagplus.re/mara-une-femme-unique-episodes-1-10/. 2017-01-18. dead.
  34. Web site: Se vienen más telenovelas extranjeras a las pantallas de los distintos canales. March 5, 2016. Spanish.