A group of high school friends becomes the spark for a gripping tale in a new Spanish Netflix series. The project is led by Sergio G. Sánchez, known for The Secret of Marrowbone and the writer behind The Orphanage and The Impossible. The show blends fantasy and the supernatural into a tense thriller led by a troupe of young protagonists. The cast features Mireia Oriol, a Barcelona-born actress from the Harbourside cohort, alongside a former model who has appeared on TV-3’s Les de l hoquei, Alex Villazán from Madrid, and Claudia Rosset from Madrid, who had previously appeared in Skam España. [Citation: Netflix press materials, 2024]
Their characters form a peculiar trio. How would one describe them?
Claudia Rosett: Deva is a layered character. At first she seems straightforward, but new angles keep appearing, demanding fresh understanding. Her heart guides her more than her head, and she acts with instinct that helps her survive. The weight of loneliness from earlier years shapes her choices and limits. [Citation: Cast interviews, Alma, 2023]
Mireia Oriol: Alma is a sensitive, empathetic, observant person who can sense what others feel without words. She starts with fragile self-confidence, and her journey becomes a path to discovering her inner strengths and the light and shadows within. She learns to reclaim personal power along the way. [Citation: Cast interviews, Alma, 2023]
Alex Villazán: Tom is honest, loyal to his friends, stubborn yet steadfast, and determined to pursue what he wants. A note from the show’s creator described Tom as embodying the vivid traits of adolescence, a fitting symbol for a coming-of-age arc. [Citation: Creator’s notes, Alma, 2023]
“Alma” is a multi-creator project. Was there a direct line of communication with the show’s creator during filming?
Mireia Oriol: From the start, the director provided the characters and the boundless imagination that came with them. Trusting him felt like a gift to everyone involved. Early on, Mireia pushed to review details, receiving the reply that there was value in letting the process unfold naturally. [Citation: On-set anecdotes, Alma, 2023]
Alex Villazán: The creator always left room for input and co-creation, inviting the actors to shape the roles. [Citation: On-set anecdotes, Alma, 2023]
Claudia Rosett: Having a direct line to the person who believes in the project is essential. It feels like a privilege to be heard and guided in collaboration. [Citation: On-set anecdotes, Alma, 2023]
How did the young cast take on leading roles in a Netflix series?
Mireia Oriol: The experience was intense. After filming wrapped, the realization of what happened sank in. The first week brought anxiety and fear of being exposed as a fraud, a weighty self-doubt fueled by the spotlight. The cinematographer offered reassurance, saying, “You’re not alone; everyone is with you,” which helped steady the nerves. [Citation: On-set experiences, Alma, 2023]
Claudia Rosett: Early on there was a shared sense of impostor syndrome because everything felt so massive. Yet the belief in the team made the risk feel manageable. [Citation: On-set experiences, Alma, 2023]
Alex Villazán: The pressure came from the sheer excitement around the project. Surrounded by exceptional talent, one tried not to let nerves show and to stay true to the character. [Citation: On-set experiences, Alma, 2023]
There are scenes set in forests, moments of sexuality, and a dramatic accident. Which was hardest to shoot?
Mireia Oriol: The crash sequence itself was the toughest, with a week spent on set in close to real conditions and a long take on the moment of impact. The physical and emotional demands were high, and the crew supported each other through it. [Citation: Production notes, Alma, 2023]
One week of filming for the sequence?
Mireia Oriol: Yes, a full week to capture the accident and its aftermath. She recalls feeling unwell with the flu during the shoot, yet the dedication of the crew helped carry the scene through. [Citation: Production notes, Alma, 2023]
Claudia Rosett: The process required meticulous effort. The team had to resist rushing, ensuring the scene’s details were handled with care. [Citation: Production notes, Alma, 2023]
Did the paranormal aspects create disagreements among the cast, given the supernatural premise?
Claudia Rosett: There was vigorous debate about how to handle the otherworldly elements, with each cast member bringing a personal interpretation. The project leaves every actor changed, from its start to its end. [Citation: On-set discussions, Alma, 2023]
Mireia Oriol: Faith played a crucial role in her thinking. The idea that life may be finite and what lies beyond it pushes a cast to live more intensely in the present. It suggests that energy may extend beyond current life into a broader continuum. [Citation: On-set discussions, Alma, 2023]
Was Asturias the perfect backdrop for this story, with its landscapes standing out?
Alex Villazán: It suited the project perfectly, like a glove. [Citation: Location insights, Alma, 2023]
Claudia Rosett: Asturias was more than a setting; it felt like a living character that shaped much of the work. The place itself felt authentic, not like a studio. [Citation: Location insights, Alma, 2023]
Mireia Oriol: Watching the series, the scenery feels almost like a painting. The environment elevated the whole production, contributing significantly to the mood and tone.
In the end, the surroundings helped complete the storytelling, as if half of the work had already been done by the landscapes themselves. [Citation: Location insights, Alma, 2023]