In this article I'll tell you about today's most popular Portuguese series. All in different genres. In this article we have 5 series ranging from the dramatic to the comedic to those based on real events. All of them are great for practising Portuguese and learning more about Portuguese culture and history.


1.Rabo de Peixe (Turn of the Tide - Genre: Thriller, Drama

- Synopsis: Inspired by real events, the series follows a group of young people in the Azores who find a boat loaded with cocaine and decide to sell it, facing dangerous consequences. 

- Highlight: It reached Netflix's global Top 10 in 33 countries and was renewed for a second and third season. 

- The series is inspired by a real event that took place in 2001, when a boat sank with almost 500 kilos of cocaine on board. The drugs ended up in the village known as Rabo de Peixe, on the island of SĂŁo Miguel. The repercussions of this accident are still felt today, given the impact of cocaine use on the population. There's a short report in Portuguese on the subject and Rabo de Peixe used to be the council in Europe with the most drug addicts. The language of the series is up-to-date with some rather comical expressions. The dialect most people speak is standard, so it's not too difficult to understand.


2.GlĂłri - Genre: Drama, Espionage, History

- Synopsis: Set during the Cold War, the series follows a radio engineer involved in a spy ring in Portugal.

- Highlight: Netflix's first original Portuguese production, acclaimed for its setting and gripping narrative.

- Set in the 1960s, during the Cold War, the plot takes place in the town of GlĂłria do Ribatejo, where RARET is located - a radio station used by the United States to broadcast anti-communist propaganda to Eastern bloc countries.

The protagonist, JoĂŁo Vidal, is a young Portuguese engineer recruited by the Soviet secret services (KGB). The series follows his sabotage and espionage missions within the station, while dealing with questions of loyalty, identity and the dark secrets of the Estado Novo dictatorship in Portugal.


- It mixes fiction with real historical facts.

- Addresses issues such as censorship, political repression and information warfare.

- Excellent reconstruction of the period and an atmosphere of international tension.

- Great for training your ear with European Portuguese, where English is also mixed in because of the American characters and to give the series more credibility.


3.PĂŽr do So - Genre: Comedy, Satire

- Synopsis: is a Portuguese comedy series that satirises traditional telenovelas, exaggerating their clichés in a humorous way. The plot revolves around the Bourbon de Linhaça family, owners of Herdade do PÎr do Sol, where stories of forbidden love, betrayal and family secrets unfold

- Highlight: Initially broadcast by RTP, it gained popularity and was added to the Netflix catalogue.

- The first season premiered in August 2021 on RTP1. The second season premiered in August 2022 on RTP1 and is also available on Netflix. The film was released in 2023 

- This one can be a little more difficult to understand because it has a lot of references to Portuguese culture, satire and jokes. This series is ideal for students who are in contact with Portuguese culture or live in Portugal. 


4. Até Que a Vida Nos Separe

- Genre: Drama, Familiar

- Synopsis: It follows the life of a family who organise weddings on a farm, exploring different visions of love between generations. The ironic part of the series is that the couple who organise the weddings are thinking of getting divorced

 - Highlight: A Portuguese production that has gained an international audience on Netflix. Despite its popularity, it didn't manage to reach such a popular and long-lasting place in the international charts. 

- Beautiful photography and natural settings in Portugal.

A sensitive and human portrait of family relationships.

Ideal for those who want to hear clear and emotionally expressive European Portuguese.


5. Cuba Libre

- Genre: Drama, History

- Synopsis: is a Portuguese historical drama miniseries based on the real life of Annie Silva Pais, the only daughter of Fernando Silva Pais, the last director of PIDE, the political police of the Salazar regime. The plot follows Annie Silva Pais (played by Beatriz Godinho), a young Portuguese woman with a rebellious spirit and remarkable beauty. In 1965, at the age of 30, married to a Swiss diplomat and living in Havana, Annie decides to leave her husband and family to join the Cuban revolution, driven by a secret passion for Che Guevara. The series portrays her struggle for freedom and identity, travelling through more than 30 years of world history, with a special focus on Portugal and Cuba. The series premiered on RTP1 on 21 September 2022 and has been available on Netflix since April 2023.

- Highlight: It explores themes of identity and ideology, offering a unique perspective on historical events. 



I hope you enjoy the suggestions and comment on the ones you've already watched or are going to watch!