Antena 3 is quietly gearing up to refresh its summer TV lineup, and the network has begun to reveal the premieres that will shape the next few weeks on evenings with high audience potential. Among the highlights is a brand-new series that has quietly slipped into the spotlight after being acquired from a major streaming platform: Prime Video. This strategic acquisition signals Antena 3’s intent to curate a lineup that blends prestige storytelling with broad, family-friendly appeal during the hotter months, a period when viewers often seek contemporary dramas that mix ambition, humor, and fast-paced plots.
This forthcoming drama is titled The Artists: First Strokes, a co-production bridging Spain and the United States. The project brings together a mix of seasoned actors and fresh faces, including Maxi Iglesias in a lead role paired with Mexican talent Ximena Romo. The show marks the first screenwriting venture from acclaimed novelist María Dueñas, whose involvement has raised anticipation among fans of literary adaptations and high-concept character studies. When Prime Video premiered the series, it immediately ranked second in its TOP 10, trailing only the second season of The Wheel of Time, a performance that has cemented the title as a broadcasting success and a strong draw for summer audiences. In response, Antena 3 is positioning it as a centerpiece for late spring and early summer nights, aiming to replicate that momentum across the network’s prime-time slots.
The narrative centers on Cata, a young Mexican art expert whose life feels largely routine as she navigates the bustling cultural scene of Madrid. Opposite her is Yago, a Spanish antique dealer who, hampered by a streak of bad luck, must reassess his business and pursue alternative avenues to sustain his passion for art. Although their paths have crossed before, their existing chemistry hints at a forceful dynamic that could redefine how they approach the art market. The core premise hinges on their shared abilities to identify value, persuade collectors, and blend boldness with a touch of audacity, which in turn drives the plot through a series of high-stakes schemes. However, the duo is far from flawless; their talents are matched by a penchant for risk-taking that generates both clever solutions and disruptive consequences in each episode. Viewers are invited to watch as their teamwork evolves, and the duo navigates the fine line between genius and recklessness, all while the art world serves as a thrilling backdrop for romantic tension, professional gambits, and ethical dilemmas that test their partnership.
The cast reflects a transatlantic mix that mirrors the series’ production roots, featuring a blend of Spanish screen veterans and Latin American talent to give the story an authentic cross-cultural texture. In addition to the leads, the ensemble includes actors from Spain such as Francesc Garrido, Manolo Caro, and Ana María Vidal, all of whom bring depth and nuance to the unfolding drama. The series also benefits from cameo appearances and episodic turns by well-known performers, including Carlos Santos, Natalia Verbeke, and Santi Millán, whose participation adds an extra layer of recognition for audiences across Iberia and Latin America. This diverse casting configuration helps to stage a narrative that moves fluidly between Madrid’s art circuits, European galleries, and the broader international art-collector milieu, giving the show a cosmopolitan feel while keeping the emotional core intimate and human. The supporting roles are designed to offer texture and contrast, allowing each character’s perspective on art, ambition, and risk to illuminate the central partnership at the heart of the story. The net effect is a richly textured dramatic tapestry that promises both visual sophistication and emotional immediacy for viewers, whether they arrive through Antena 3’s schedule or through streaming windows that make the characters available at demand. [Citation: Production notes and network press materials]