Locked Up (TV series)

Locked Up, originally titled in Spanish as Vis A Vis (meaning "face to face"),[1] is a Spanish serial drama television series produced by Globomedia, initially for Spanish Network Antena 3 and later on for Fox Spain. It premiered on 20 April 2015.[2] The series begins by focusing on a young woman who is sent to prison and then goes on to depict the image of prison and law enforcement systems.

Locked Up
GenreSerial drama
Crime
Thriller
Created byIván Escobar
Esther Martínez Lobato
Álex Pina
Daniel Écija
StarringMaggie Civantos
Najwa Nimri
Carlos Hipólito
Roberto Enríquez
Berta Vázquez
Alba Flores
Theme music composerIván Martínez Lacámara
Manel Santisteban
Opening themeAgnus Dei by Cecilia Krull
Country of originSpain
Original language(s)Spanish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes40
Production
Production location(s)Spain
Running timeSeason 1 and 2:
75 mins. (approx.)
Season 3 and 4:
50 mins. (approx.)
Production company(s)Globomedia
FOX Networks Group España
DistributorNetflix (Global Streaming)
Release
Original networkAntena 3 (2015–2016)
Fox Spain (2018–2019)
Original release20 April 2015 (2015-04-20) 
4 February 2019 (2019-02-04)
Chronology
Followed byVis a vis: El oasis
External links
Website
Production website

After Antena 3 cancelled the show, a year later, Fox Spain announced they had picked up the series for a third and final fourth season, which premiered on 23 April 2018 and 3 December 2018 respectively, becoming the most watched pay TV on its timeslot. Netflix also bought global streaming rights for the show.[3][4][5]

Since its cancellation, majority of the casts moved on to different projects, resulting to major cast changes in season three and four. Production also moved to different filming location since the studio they used is already occupied by another Álex Pina show, Money Heist. Maggie Civantos, the series main character was reduced to a recurring role due to her commitment to her other show, Cable Girls. The show's other main cast lead by Najwa Nimri, Berta Vázquez, María Isabel Díaz Lago, Marta Aledo, Laura Buena and Alba Flores, who also stars in Money Heist, returned as full-time main cast members.

A spin-off entitled Vis a vis: El oasis was released in 2020. The show focused on the characters of Macarena and Zulema. This served as the last installment of the series.[6]

Plot

Macarena Ferreiro is a young naive woman who falls in love with her boss and, because of him, commits several accounting manipulation and misappropriation crimes. She is accused of four tax crimes, and consequently she is imprisoned at the Cruz del Sur Prison as a precautionary measure with very high bail set. She has to face the emotional shock that being in jail means to her, as well as the complicated relationship between the inmates; among them Zulema stands out as the most dangerous prisoner.

In prison Macarena will soon realize the chance to survive the projected seven-year sentence she will likely receive if convicted depends on changing, evolving and becoming a very different person. Meanwhile, in order to pay the bail, her family outside gets involved in finding a large sum of money hidden somewhere, in dispute with Zulema's boyfriend, who will lead the Ferreiros to a terrible situation.

The series reflects the day-to-day life of prisoners and a group of officials in a penitentiary and the transformation of a harmless woman, apparently incapable of doing harm, into a survivor who leaves her scruples aside. The fight for survival thus marks the coexistence between the inmates, characterized by alliances, betrayals and revenges both between inmates and between officials.

Series overview

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)

Season one follows the story of Macarena Ferreiro (Maggie Civantos), a woman who was sentenced to prison for embezzling money from the company she's working as instructed by her boss and lover. Her life will turn upside down when she meets the inmates, Zulema Zahir (Najwa Nimri), the prison's most dangerous inmate, her loyal friend Saray (Alba Flores) and Rizos (Berta Vázquez), a bubbly inmate who would make her question her sexuality. As she adapts to the prison environment, her decisions and choices will have dire consequences not just to her but also to her family who was caught up into her mess.

Season 2 (2016)

The season started with Zulema (Najwa Nimri), Saray (Alba Flores) and Macarena's (Maggie Civantos) escape from prison and its consequences. With Sandoval's (Ramiro Blas) bribery, Miranda (Cristina Plazas) imposed a stricter rules and regulations in prison as a reperccussion to the inmate's escape. With authority from the Director to use any extreme measures to discipline misbehaving inmates, some officials resorts to abuse of power with some of the inmates as victims of physical and mental abuse as well as rape. With threats looming around Macarena's family for getting caught up with the Egyptian's family, the Ferreiro's will suffer their darkest tragedy. Meanwhile, Macarena, Rizos (Berta Vázquez) and Saray's love triangle continues with Fabio (Roberto Enríquez) on the mix.

Season 3 (2018)

The season revolved on the lives of the Saray (Alba Flores) , Rizos (Berta Vázquez), Sole (María Isabel Díaz Lago), Tere (Marta Aledo), Anabel (Inma Cuevas), Antonia (Laura Baena) and Zulema (Najwa Nimri) as they adopt to the new environment of Cruz del Norte. After being transferred to the new prison due to over crowding in Cruz del Sur, the inmates were forced to unite and put aside their differences towards each other as they encounter inmates and prison officials of Cruz del Norte. New characters were introduced such as a group of Chinese inmates who they immediately knew are the ones who are in control of the prison with Macarena (Maggie Civantos) as their first victim.

Season 4 (2018–19)

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 inmates as prison guard is now one of them. Zulema and Saray who was once bestfriends are now each other's enemies. Dr. Sandoval (Ramiro Blas) is the new Director of Cruz del Norte, who enforced violence to tame the inmates making the prison dangerous more than ever. We see Saray as a mother who would do anything for her child and Zulema who would later be revealed to be a mother. Meanwhile, Sole (María Isabel Díaz Lago) is revealed to have Alzheimer's disease. Macarena (Maggie Civantos) finally awakens from her coma.

Cast and characters

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

Cruz del Sur Inmates

  • Maggie Civantos as Macarena Ferreiro – the lead protagonist of the series. Sentenced to prison for seven years due to fraud by helping her boss and lover steal money from the company's funds. Learned the hard way to adopt to the prison environment. (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, causing the inmates and some prison workers to fear her. She's Macarena's main nemesis in prison and got a lifetime sentence in prison. (season 1–4, Oasis)
  • Berta Vázquez as Estefania "Rizos" Kabila – initially locked up in prison for four years due for theft. She is Macarena's love interest and Saray's ex-girlfriend. (season 1–4)
  • Alba Flores as Saray Vargas de Jesús – originally sentenced for four years in prison for assault. She is Zulema's loyal ally and best friend. A lesbian and a gypsy, that is forced to conform to family traditions. She is Rizos ex-girlfriend. (season 1–4, Guest: Oasis)
  • Inma Cuevas as Ana Belén "Anabel" Villaroch Garcés – a known drug and trade dealer in prison. She is Macarena's other enemy and Zulema's rival in prison. (season 1–3, Guest: 4)
  • María Isabel Díaz Lago as Soledad "Sole" Núñez Hurtado – a prisoner who burned her husband and mistress to death. A mother figure to some inmates. (season 1–4)
  • Marta Aledo as  Teresa "Tere" González Largo – a drug addict and one of Macarena's circle of friends. (season 1–4)
  • Laura Baena as Antonia Trujillo Díez – the prison cook and Saray's distant cousin. (season 1–4)
  • Belén Cuesta as Yolanda Montero – an inmate who befriended Macarena on her first day in prison. Buried a stolen money that causes havoc in prison. (Recurring season 1)

Cruz del Sur Employees

  • Roberto Enríquez as Fabio Martínez León – a hot-tempered prison guard and former Police Officer. He is Macarena's lover. (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 and Fabio's best friend. Director of Cruz del Norte. (season 1–2,4)
  • Harlys Becerra as Ismael Valbuena Ugarte – an antagonistic chief prison guard. Fabio's rival in prison. (season 1–2)
  • Ana Labordeta as Paloma Garrido "Governor" – the head prison guard that was threatened by Zulema. (Recurring season 1)

Macarena's Family

  • Carlos Hipólito as Leopoldo Ferreiro Lobo – Macarena's father and former police guard. (season 1–2)
  • María Salgueiro 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

  • 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 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. (Also star, season 3)
  • Itziar Castro as Goya Fernández – one of the self proclaimed 'leaders' of Cruz del Norte and a drug dealer who initially was cold towards the newly transferred inmates from Cruz del Sur. (season 4, Oasis, Recurring: 3)
  • Abril Zamora as Luna Garrido – a transgender inmate who befriended the Cruz del Sur inmates. Also a drug addict. (season 4, Recurring: 3)

Cruz del Norte Employees

  • 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. (Also star, season 3)
  • Adriana Paz as Altagracia Guerrero – an ex-prisoner and an antagonistic prison guard. Zulema's accomplice. (Also star, season 3–4)
  • Cristina Marcos as Magdalena Cruz – owner of Cruz del Sur and del Norte. (Also star, season 4)
  • Benjamín Vicuña as Antonio Hierro – a strict prison guard assigned to monitor Zulema. (Also star, season 4)
  • Zaira Pérez as Nuria Millán – prison guard in Cruz del Norte. (Recurring season 3–4)

Police Force

  • Jesús Castejón as Inspector Damián Castillo – the head detective of the police force. (Guest: Oasis, season 3–4, Recurring: 1–2)
  • Hugo Guzmán as Camilo Jalapeño – Inspector Castillo's partner. (Recurring season 2)
  • Verónika Moral as Helena Martín – an undercover cop in prison. Fabio's ex-girlfriend. (Recurring 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)

Recurring and guest stars

  • Adryen Mehdi as Hanbal "The Egyptian" Hamadi  – Zulema's boyfriend who do dirty works for her. (season 1)
  • Dunia Rodríguez as María Prieto "Casper" Téllez – Zulema's servant in prison. (season 1–2)
  • Sonia Almarcha as Lidia Osborne – Román's wife. (season 1–2)
  • Irene Arcos as Carolina – Fabio's wife. (season 1–2)
  • Carmen Baquero as Alba Vargas de Jesús – Saray's mother. (season 1–3)
  • Paula Medina as Jacky – inmate from Cruz del Sur. (season 1)
  • Olivia Delcán as Cristina "Bambi" Marquina – Anabel's servant in prison and one of Macarena's friend. (season 2)
  • Mona Martínez as Carlota "Governor" – head prison guard of Cruz del Sur. (season 2)
  • Elena Seijo as Susana Tamayo Román – an inmate who lost her mind after she kidnapped a girl thinking it's her daughter. (season 2)
  • Sara Vidorreta as Amaia Jiménez
  • Rafael Núñez as Fernando – husband of Sole's heart donor. (season 2)
  • Laura Quirós as Alicia González – Mercedes' daughter. (season 3)
  • Georgina Amorós  as Fátima Amin – Zulema's daughter. (season 4)
  • Édgar Vittorino as Caimán – male prisoner from one of Cruz's prison. (season 4)
  • Mala Rodriguez as Saray's girlfriend. (season 4)
  • Nahara Calero as Estrella Vargas – Saray and Sandoval's daughter. (season 4)
  • Juan Blanco as Alfonso "El Piti" –  Tere's ex-boyfriend. (season 1,4)
  • Farah Hamed as Zulema's mother
  • Miriam Rodríguez  – one of the prisoners of Cruz del Norte. She is part of the choral group. (season 4)
  • Raúl Tejón as Unai del Álamo – a prison guard from Cruz del Norte and Altagracia's lover. (season 3)
  • Ester Expósito as one of the daughters of Fernando. (season 3)

Cast summary

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      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           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

Season 1 was broadcast in the United Kingdom from 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 (TV channel).

Reception

Critical response

When the premise of the series was first announced, it was immediately compared to American television series Orange Is the New Black and some media accused it of being a mere copy. However, when the pilot episode was screened for critics, they noted both series are different in tone as Locked Up is mostly a thriller while Orange Is the New Black is a comedy-drama. Besides the comparisons, the series received favourable to good reviews with Bethanh Wade from Film Daily saying, "the minute you start Locked Up, be prepared for this train to start and never stop."[11]

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."[12] Rebecca Nicholson from the Guardian says that the show is "tremendously silly and fantastically taut thriller that carries itself at a breathless pace."[13]

"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.[14]

After two seasons, Antena 3 cancelled the show, however, on 6 July 2017, Fox Spain announced they had picked up the series for a third and fourth season, with fourth as the last of the series. Season 3 premiered on April 23, 2018.[3][4] And the fourth and final season was released in December 2018. The show was shot in Spain.[5]

Awards and Nominations

During its four seasons run, the show collected a total of forty-four (44) nominations with thirteen (13) wins.

Year Award Category Nominees Result Ref.
2015Ondas AwardsBest ActressFemale Cast of Vis a VisWon[15]
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 Actor's Union AwardsBest Female Lead PerformanceMaggie CivantosWon[16]
Najwa NimriNominated
Best Male Lead PerformanceRoberto EnriquezNominated
Best Female Performance in Supporting RoleAlba FloresNominated
Best Female Performance in Minor RoleInma CuevasWon
Marta AledoNominated
Premios IrisBest ActressNajwa NimriNominated
Best ActorCarlos HipolitoNominated
Best FictionVis a VisNominated
Best ProductionCristina López Ferrar, Juan López OlivarNominated
Fotogramas de PlataAudience Award for Best Spanish SeriesVis a VisNominated
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 Actor's Union AwardsBest Female Lead PerformanceMaggie CivantosNominated[16]
Najwa NimriNominated
Best Male Lead PerformanceRoberto EnriquezNominated
Best Female Performance in Supporting RoleAlba FloresWon
Best Female Performance in Minor RoleInma CuevasWon
Maria Isabel DíazNominated
Feroz AwardsBest Drama SeriesVis a VisNominated
Best Lead ActressMaggie CivantosNominated
Najwa NimriNominated
Best Supporting ActressAlba FloresNominated
Inma CuevasNominated
Fotogramas de PlataAudience Award for Best Spanish SeriesVis a VisWon
Best TV ActressNajwa NimriNominated
Premios Fenix AwardsBest TV EnsembleVis a VisNominated
2018Premios Iris (ATv)Best ActressAlba FloresNominated[16]
Best DirectorJesus Colmenar, Sandra Gallego, David Molina Encinas, Jesus RodrigoNominated
Premios MiM Best Drama Series Vis a Vis Nominated
Best Drama Actress Najwa Nimri Nominated
2019 Spanish Actor's Union AwardsBest Male Performance in a Minor RoleJesus CastejonNominated[16]
Best Female New ComerAbril ZamoraNominated
Feroz AwardsBest Lead ActressNajwa NimriNominated
Fotogramas de PlataBest TV ActressNajwa NimriWon
The Platino Awards for Iberoamerican CinemaBest Actress in Mini series or TV SeriesNajwa NimriNominated
Spanish Audio Visual AwardBest TV Show MusicManel Santisteban, Ivan Martinez LacamaraNominated
2020 Spanish Actor's Union AwardsBest Male Supporting PerformanceAlberto VelascoNominated[16]

Spin-off

A spin-off series titled Vis a vis: El Oasis premiered in April 2020. The show focused on Maggie Civantos' character, Macarena and Najwa Nimri's character, Zulema, teaming up together. The spin-off served as the last season for the series overall.[6][17]

References

  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. "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. "Why Locked Up is the new Orange is the New Black". filmdaily.co. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  12. "Walter Presents:Locked Up Series 3 preview – a violent but brilliant drama". entertainmentfocus.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  13. "Locked Up review-tremendously silly and fantastically taut". theguardian.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  14. "Walter Presents:Locked Up Series 3 preview – a violent but brilliant drama". entertainment-focus.com. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  15. 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.
  16. "Vis a Vis Awards and Nominations". IMDB. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  17. Vis a vis el oasis capitulo 3 online temporada 5: a qué hora, cómo y dónde ver en vivo
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