A Única Mulher
"É impossível até acontecer" (Portuguese) "It's only impossible until it happens" (English)
GenreRomance, Melodrama, Mystery
Created byMaria João Mira
André Ramalho
Developed byPlural Entertainment
Directed byAntónio Borges Correia
StarringLourenço Ortigão
Ana Sofia Martins
Rita Pereira
Alexandra Lencastre
José Wallenstein
(see more)
Opening themeA Única Mulher by Anselmo Ralph
Ending themeA Única Mulher by Anselmo Ralph
Country of originPortugal
Original languagePortuguese
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes561
Production
Executive producerJosé Eduardo Moniz
Production locationsPortugal, Angola
Running time50min
Original release
NetworkTVI
ReleaseMarch 15, 2015 (2015-03-15) –
January 6, 2017 (2017-01-06)

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]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRatingShareRank
First airedLast aired
1189March 15, 2015 (2015-03-15)October 17, 2015 (2015-10-17)13.9%29.1%#2
2174October 19, 2015 (2015-10-19)April 30, 2016 (2016-04-30)14.7%30.0%#1
3198May 2, 2016 (2016-05-02)January 6, 2017 (2017-01-06)TBATBA#1

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.

"It always seems impossible until it´s done", well known quote that inspired the slogan of the telenovela

— Nelson Mandela

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]

"The images of Angola will be present throughout the telenovela", especially since "alongside the other protagonists, Angola is also protagonist". "It's a country with very strong traditions in Portugal, from which a very large part of Portuguese have huge nostalgia. What we do is a return to the past, crossing it with the enormous progress that this country [Angola] suffered"[15]

— José Eduardo Moniz

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.[16]

"It is a rare product. There is a lot of investment, a lot of commitment and there is an effort to diversify the scenarios of the telenovela that we've never did before"[17]

— José Eduardo Moniz

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 Miguel's 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 Venâncio's 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.[18] Vita starts working as nanny of the twin babies and quietly seduces Luís Miguel. Betrayal is a matter of time...[19]

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.[20]

Unable to overcome the death of her fiancé, Sara (Joana de Verona) closes herself in Diogo's 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 Norberto's 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 António's life.[21][22][23]

Cast

Actor Character Season
1 2 3
Alexandra Lencastre Pilar Sacramento Main
José Wallenstein Žoržs Sacramento Main
Rita Pereira Luena da Silva Main
Ana Sofia Martins Mara Venâncio Main
Lourenço Ortigão Luís Miguel Sacramento Main
Ângelo Torres Norberto Venâncio Main
Mina Andala Neuza dos Anjos Regular
Marta Melro Rafaela Mestre Regular
Leonor Seixas Sílvia Caiado Regular
Pedro Lima Pedro Caiado Regular
Inês Gonçalves Mafalda Barros Regular
João Catarré Ramiro Neves Regular
Sílvia Rizzo Isabel Batista Regular
Paula Neves Concha Albergaria Regular
Paulo Pires Henrique Albergaria Regular
Matilde Breyner Maria Antónia («Mitó») Borralho Regular
Lia Gama Berta Vieira Regular
Sofia Baessa Yolanda Gamboa Regular
Leandro Pires Artur Gamboa Regular
Joana de Verona Sara Sacramento Regular
Kelly Bailey Francisca Sacramento Regular
Bruno Cabrerizo Santiago Ortiz Regular
Sara Prata Daniela Fragoso Regular
Nuno Homem de Sá Albino («Bino») das Dores Regular
Ana Marta Ferreira Clara Albergaria Regular
Ricardo de Sá Bruno Borralho Regular
Alberto Magassela Arsénio Kianda Regular
Gany Ferreira Kizua Kianda Regular
Graciano Dias Diogo Mendonça Regular Guest
Maria Leite Ana Maria Baptista Regular Guest
André Nunes Orlando Barros Regular
Orlando Costa Sebastião Pereira Regular
Catarina Matos Isaura («Isaurinha») das Dores Regular
Irma Ribeiro Patrícia das Dores Regular
Manuel Wiborg Inspetor Camacho Recurring Regular
Pedro Carmo António de Lucena Recurring Regular
Joana Câncio Tânia Recurring Regular
João Didelet Radu Recurring Regular
Pedro Barroso Rodrigo Dias Recurring Regular
Maura Faial Vita Guest Regular
Rita Brütt Inspetora Laura Recurring Guest
Rita Cruz Rosário Venâncio Recurring
Alfredo Brito Raúl Falcão Recurring
Fredy Costa Leandro Regular
Lídia Franco Guilhermina («Mina») Albergaria Regular
Pêpê Rapazote César Varela Regular

Children

  • Isaac Carvalho - João da Silva - (Júnior)
  • Diana Melo - Matilde Caiado
  • João Fernandes - Tomás Caiado
  • Maria Arrais - Joana Fragoso

Broadcast

Exhibition by release date
Country Channel Title Seasons Premiere Finale Timeslot Ref.
Portugal TVI A Única Mulher 3 March 15, 2015 January 6, 2017 Monday to Saturday, at 9.30pm
Angola DStv1 A Única Mulher 2 April 21, 2015 On air Monday to Friday, at 9 pm [24][25][26]
Mozambique DStv1 A Única Mulher 2 Monday to Friday, at 10 pm
Chile Canal 13 La Única Mujer 1 August 30, 2015 February 19, 2016 Monday to Friday, at 5.45pm [27][28][29]
Cape Verde TCV A Única Mulher 1 October 19, 2015 On air Monday to Saturday, at 7 pm [30]
Paraguay Telefuturo La Única Mujer 1 November 30, 2015 May 27, 2016 Monday to Friday, at 7 pm [31]
South Africa SABC 2 Mara - The Only One 1 2017–present On air Monday to Friday, at 12:30 pm
Uruguay Monte Carlo TV La Única Mujer 1 January 4, 2016 On air Monday to Friday, at 5 pm [32]
Bolivia Unitel La Única Mujer 1 August 10, 2016 On Air Monday to Friday, at 11 am [33]
France Réseau France Outre-mer (RFO) Mara, une femme unique[34] 1 September 29, 2016 On air Monday to Friday, at 11 am [35]
Argentina El Trece La Única Mujer 1 2016 TBA TBA [36]

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

References

  1. ↑ "The Only Woman". Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ "'A Única Mulher' chega à TVI a 15 de março" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ "What will happen in season 2" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ ""The Only Woman" will have a second season" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  5. ↑ "How many viewed "The Only Woman" and "5 To Midnight"" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Find out how did the premiere of the second season of "The Only Woman"" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ "TVI considering third season of "The Only Woman"" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  8. ↑ "The Only Woman - Filming of 3rd season has already started" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  9. ↑ ""The Only Womanr": third season premieres in the lead" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 25, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  10. ↑ "The Only Woman - Season 4 might happen" (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Maria João Mira já prepara nova novela para a TVI" (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  12. ↑ "TVI aposta em Angola para nova novela" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Conheça a protagonista de "Projeto Angola"" (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Apresentação da novela 'A Única Mulher'" (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  15. ↑ ""A Única Mulher": José Eduardo Moniz explica porque TVI escolheu Angola" (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Estrelas da nova novela da TVI brilham em festa de antestreia" (in Portuguese). Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  17. ↑ "'A Única Mulher': Novela explica paixão dos portugueses por Angola" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  18. ↑ "A Única Mulher - César" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  19. ↑ "A Única Mulher - Vita" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  20. ↑ "A Única Mulher - Leandro" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  21. ↑ "A Única Mulher - October 17 to 23" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Everything that Mara will suffer in Season 2 of "The Only Woman"" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  23. ↑ "A Única Mulher - October 31 to November 6" (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  24. ↑ ""A Única Mulher" estreia-se terça feira em Angola" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  25. ↑ "DStv Angola adquire telenovela produzida pela TVI de Portugal" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  26. ↑ "DStv1". Facebook (in Portuguese). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Nueva teleserie: La Única Mujer" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Canal 13 importa teleserie portuguesa en busca de emular el éxito turco" (in Spanish). 31 July 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Así será el intenso arribo de una teleserie portuguesa a Canal 13" (in Portuguese). 28 August 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  30. ↑ "TCV estreia novela portuguesa "A Única Mulher"" (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2016-11-05. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Se viene muy pronto La Unica Mujer". Facebook (in Spanish). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  32. ↑ ""La Única Mujer" debuta en la pantalla de Monte Carlo TV" (in Spanish). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Se vienen más telenovelas extranjeras a las pantallas de los distintos canales" (in Spanish). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Résumé - outre-mer 1ère". Archived from the original on 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  35. ↑ "Mara : une femme unique : épisodes 1-10 - Télémag +". www.telemagplus.re. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  36. ↑ "Se vienen más telenovelas extranjeras a las pantallas de los distintos canales" (in Spanish). Retrieved March 5, 2016.
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