TV Azteca: We return to telenovelas with Cautiva por Amor, a powerful story and part of our hybrid content strategy

TV Azteca has started filming Cautiva por Amor, marking the company’s return to telenovelas after nearly six years. The production is led by executive producer Luis Urquiza and features a cast including Litzy, Daniela Castro, Plutarco Haza, and Osvaldo de León. The cast expressed their gratitude for the return to this internationally popular genre, recognizing the importance of highlighting social issues such as human trafficking while maintaining entertainment and melodrama.

“This is a genre we hadn’t touched in a long time, one in which we are experts. We return with this original story, bringing the power of a brutal narrative to TV Azteca. We assembled a groundbreaking cast, which was a slow but heartfelt process, as part of our hybrid strategy that combines top-tier reality shows with strong fiction, including this melodrama,” explained Adrián Ortega, General Director of Content at TV Azteca.

Producer Urquiza noted that this project represents a significant challenge in his career, especially with the company’s return to melodrama. “TV Azteca dares to return to fiction and continues investing in it. Three years ago, we came back with content like Lotería del Crimen, Dra. Lucía, and Un Día para Vivir. With this background, we are now making telenovelas again at a time when the industry has halted many productions.”

He added that the challenge is greater with an audience accustomed to platforms, social media, and pay TV, which can distinguish quality content. “With high-quality televisions, we are compelled not to fail in how we make telenovelas and tell stories. Additionally, the unique acting and moments addressing impactful themes set this apart.”

HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THE CENTRAL THEME OF CAUTIVA POR AMOR

The story follows Jazmín Palacios, a young woman kidnapped by a landowning politician who kept her as a slave in a human trafficking ring he led. The protagonists emphasized the importance of portraying such themes in a telenovela.

“It’s crucial to address these topics because they are closer to us than we think. It’s interesting to show this so women can identify with it and know what to do in such cases, to raise their voices, which helps to raise awareness and work towards eradication,” said lead actress Litzy.

Osvaldo de León, who plays an undercover police officer, stressed the significance of this project’s success for TV Azteca’s continued production of telenovelas and stories tackling societal issues, as human trafficking.

“It’s daring to address a strong topic thoroughly. Today, there are more slaves than ever, and human trafficking has increased significantly. We aim to entertain, but if we can inspire people to be better, that’s incredible. It’s not about teaching anyone, but if someone’s life changes because of this project, it’s very important,” he said.

Cautiva Por Amor features Luis Merlo as the Director of Fiction, Martín Garza as Fiction Producer, Walter Doehner as Scene Director, Rodrigo Curiel as Scene Director for Unit 2, Juan Saravia as Director of Photography, and Demián Barba as Director of Photography for Unit 2. Dinorah Patiño is the Associate Producer. The telenovela will air at 7:30 PM on Azteca Uno and is expected to premiere in 2025.