El secreto de Selena

El secreto de Selena (2018) is a US and Mexican co-produced Spanish-language true crime drama series created by Dariela Pérez Hernández, Alejandro Aimetta, and David Jasqui for TNT Latin America and Telemundo. Maya Zapata plays Selena Quintanilla, the Tejano singer whose rising career pulls her family into the demanding orbit of a father, Abraham Quintanilla (Jorge Zárate), who guides and polices every step of her ascent. Sofía Lama takes on the role of María Celeste Arrarás, and Damayanti Quintanar plays Yolanda Saldívar, the figure whose presence pulls the story toward its violent end. Thirteen episodes of forty-three minutes each form a single limited series, with the engine of the story driven by ambition, loyalty, and the pressures of fame in a close-knit Mexican American community. Set in 1990s Texas, the series moves between the Tejano concert circuit, family kitchens, and courtroom-adjacent media coverage. Its tone is melancholic and melodramatic, built from heavy emotional stakes and the atmosphere of a community grieving a public figure. Fans of The People v. O.J. Simpson and Selena will find resonance in its blend of real-life tragedy, celebrity mythmaking, and family melodrama.

Audiences panned this single-season dramatization of Selena Quintanilla's life and murder, with the audience rating at 4.6 out of 10.

• The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Storyshared true crime dramatization of a real celebrity death and media frenzy
• Selenashared biographical drama of a musician's life and tragic arc
• Dark Desireshared telenovela-style melodrama with a real-events true crime frame

Created by

Dariela Pérez Hernández, Alejandro Aimetta, David Jasqui

Release Date

2018-09-23

Episode runtime

43 min

Rating

4.6 / 10 (431)

What is El secreto de Selena about?

A dramatized retelling of the life, rise, and 1995 killing of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, told through the people around her.

What is El secreto de Selena like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of El secreto de Selena as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is El secreto de Selena violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in El secreto de Selena as moderate.

What did critics think of El secreto de Selena?

Audiences panned this single-season dramatization of Selena Quintanilla's life and murder, with the audience rating at 4.6 out of 10.

Which shows are like El secreto de Selena?

Shows with a similar feel include The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Selena, and Dark Desire.

How long is El secreto de Selena?

El secreto de Selena: 1 season, 13 episodes.

Is El secreto de Selena still running?

No, El secreto de Selena has ended.