FOX Life Africa premiered new telenovelas namely “Road to Destiny,” “Along Came Love,” “Secrets at the Hotel,” and “Shadows of the Past” about a month ago. It was long overdue.
Fans of the channel have clamoured for a second season of previous favourites especially “Second Chance,” “You Are Mine” and “Heartbeat.” One year after, it looks like they will not be getting any. The good news though, is that telenovela fans will be seeing some familiar faces on the new shows airing on FOX Life.
For starters, Erick Elías from “Betty in New York” plays waiter Julio Olmedo in “Secrets at the Hotel.” Julio takes up a job at the Gran Hotel to investigate the disappearance of his sister. The telenovela is an adaptation of the Spanish series, Gran Hotel, created by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira and Carlos Sedes. Those who like series like “Cable Girls” on Netflix or the Brazilian telenovela “Lado a Lado” which are set in the early twentieth century might like “Secrets at the Hotel.” However, if you are a fan of the American adaptation, “Grand Hotel” which stars Eva Longoria Bastón and Roselyn Sanchez of “Devious Maids,” you might not fancy it.
Another familiar face gracing screens is Lisette Morelos. Lisette is well known for her role in “The Imposter.” She plays mother to the female lead Fernanda (Paulina Goto) in “Road to Destiny.” The story follows 18-year-old student, Fernanda, who has a chance encounter and falls in love with Carlos, a young doctor. In a twist of fate, Carlos happens to be Luis – her biological father’s stepson.
Those who like stories based family feuds, are in for a treat with “Shadows of the Past.”
“Along Came Love” also brings two fan-favourites, “Del Monte Dynasty” co-stars Christian de la Campa and Kimberly Dos Ramos. Christian has starred in many popular telenovelas such as “Fearless Heart.” And the Venezuelan actress is a household name after starring in “Face of Destiny,”as well as the extremely funny yet heartwarming “Husband for Hire” and “If Only I Were You.”
Kimberly plays Graciela Palacios in “Along Came Love.” From the little we’ve seen, she is a schemer and this will be one captivating show. More so, it is set California and so perfect for fans who favour telenovelas with a modern setting.
The four telenovelas on FOX Life Africa explore the universal themes of love, hate, jealousy, betrayal, chance and acceptance. Unfortunately, they are missing a certain freshness which the Turkish telenovelas brought to viewers.
The Turkish telenovelas had introduced viewers to a whole new world. New actors, new locations and culture. Thanks to that new world, it was interesting to be able to connect Deniz Bayal to “Heartbeat” whilst watching Netflix’s “Miracle in Cell No. 7.”
Apart from “Lodestar,” every telenovela aired on FOX Life before now was outstanding. They were truly exciting, suspenseful and had extremely compelling villains which left fans wanting more.
FOX Life could have created a niche with the Turkish telenovelas. But with these, the channel will be competing with Telemundo for attention. However, the familiar faces is enough incentive for some die-hard fans to watch a telenovela.
