There is something about royalty and romance that always piques the interest of the audience. Bridgerton, Young Royals, The Empress, and Queen Charlotte are a few options available on Netflix that cater to the ‘royals in love’ genre. Bridgerton introduced the modern touch that makes period drama a lot more entertaining for the young audience, and Netflix’s new Spanish rom-com, The Lady’s Companion, takes the same route. While our protagonist is not royalty per se, well, she was born into an affluent family, and she eventually became a lady’s companion. While chaperones are usually only seen in the background of period films/shows, in this series they take center stage.
The series revolves around Elena Bianda, a chaperone who took pride in her profession. Set in 1880s Madrid, Elena enjoyed her financial freedom, but it came at the cost of distancing herself from romantic possibilities. In the hopes of permanent employment, Elena applied to become the lady’s companion for Pedro Mencia’s three daughters, Cristina, Sara, and Carlota. Considering that the youngest (Carlota) had just turned fourteen, she assumed this would guarantee her long-term employment. Don Pedro approved of Elena when she mentioned she could relate to the pain of losing a loved one because she, too, had lost her parents. Though later on, it is revealed that it was a lie, to find out the reason behind it, you have to watch the show. The Mencia girls took an immediate liking to Elena. She was intelligent and empathetic, and they could treat her as a friend and a well-meaning advisor. Just when Elena thought the worst was over, she realized that looking after three young girls was not an easy task. The minute she prioritized one of them, the other got in a mess that was almost impossible to deal with. But Elena didn’t complain; this was her job, and moreover, as a young adult, she used to be quite a rebel, so she knew how to handle tough situations. The Lady’s Companion focuses on the bond between Elena and the three sisters, and while she had to solve their life problems, she was also forced to acknowledge a past she had chosen to forget about. At the very core of the show, it is a love story, somewhat of an impossible one, between a chaperone and her client’s love interest. Now whether or not she found love in the end is answered at the very end of the show.
With young adult women at the center of the narrative, The Lady’s Companion can also be categorized as a feminist rom-com. From the protagonist wanting to prioritize her financial freedom over the conventional path of settling down, to the oldest Mencia sibling, Cristina, expressing her desire to experience sexual pleasure before marriage, every female character on the show has a rebellious streak. While they belonged to a conservative world, they tried to create a space for themselves. Sara, the middle child, aimed to become a doctor at a time when women opting for higher studies was unusual and looked down upon. She bravely took on the challenge even though some days were worse than others. The youngest sibling, Carlota, was unlike any girl her age. She enjoyed studying the supernatural and took a liking to all things goth. She refused to adhere to the norms and loved being the eccentric young girl everyone was terrified of.
Visually, The Lady’s Companion is enticing. The art direction is definitely worth a mention, and you cannot help but notice every little detail in the background. The extensive use of pastels gives it an almost candy world appearance, and the overall aesthetics are highly appealing. From the narrative to the visuals, you can already guess that the show is highly inspired by Bridgerton from the very beginning, but the series takes it up a notch when they play The Turtles’ “Happy Together” for a choreographed ball dance. Wanting to incorporate what has been proven to work makes sense, but does that result in a lack of character? Possibly. Though the use of metal in the title music is surely worthy of praise, as it captures the rebellious nature of the prominent characters on the show. Costumes play a decisive role in period dramas, and the elaborate gowns that we witness in The Lady’s Companion are striking, elegant, and (from what I’ve gathered after a quick search on the internet) period-appropriate.
The Lady’s Companion is a highly stylized show, and that’s what sets it apart from the likes of Bridgerton. From the use of colorful, striking fonts to the quirky animated title sequence, every detail adds a unique charm. I particularly enjoyed the pop-artsy, fun graphics that the show incorporated to explain Elena’s past. The show often breaks the fourth wall, and the interaction between the omnipresent narrator and Elena was an entertaining addition, though a little gimmicky at times.
Nadia de Santiago as Elena truly steals the show with her captivating performance. Whether it’s through her impeccable timing, emotional depth, or natural charisma, Nadia brings a unique energy to the screen that makes Elena a memorable character. Alvaro Mel as the writer and lover, Santiago, was charming. And Isa Montalban captured Cristina’s innocence, desperation, and heartbreak aptly. Overall, the supporting cast delivered a convincing performance.
The only problem (a major one!) with The Lady’s Companion is that it lacks originality. While the lady’s companion angle is unique, the subplots are predictable, and some of the characters are clearly inspired by ‘Bridgerton.’ If representation is boiled down to just ticking boxes, it’s a little disappointing, and I truly hope that the show delves deep into reimagining the challenges queer individuals faced during the Restoration Period. Also, will The Lady’s Companion take the ‘Bridgerton’ route in its representation of interracial couples? Well, we’ll have to wait for the next season to find out.
The ending of the first season of The Lady’s Companion suggests that the show will return to our screens soon. Considering that the story is far from complete, we’ll possibly be taken on another adventure with Elena as the protagonist. I hope the show will bring something unique to the plot beyond just the new-age stylistic choices. Overall, The Lady’s Companion is a decent watch, particularly for viewers who enjoy rom-coms set in the past.
