Based on the novel “Tea Rooms” by Luisa Carnés, it tells the story of several female employees working in an elegant tea salon near Puerta del Sol in 1930s Madrid.
Helena Ezquerro, Almagro San Miguel, Stéphanie Magnin, Miryam Gallego, and José Luis García-Pérez—who lead the series’ cast—walked the orange carpet at the FesTVal de Vitoria and attended the screening of the first episode at the premiere held at the Teatro Principal in Vitoria.
The new fiction series from RTVE began filming in August in authentic locations of old Madrid, as well as in two studio sets of more than 2,500 m². The production features a large ensemble cast that includes Teresa Hurtado de Ory, Sara Rivero, Berta Galo, Llorenç González, Berta Castañé, and Bárbara Mestanza, among others.
La Moderna, the new daily series for the afternoon slot on La 1, was presented at the FesTVal de Vitoria. This ambitious co-production between RTVE and Mediawan, with the participation of Boomerang TV, is based on the novel “Tea Rooms” by Luisa Carnés, a key author of the Generation of ’27. Helena Ezquerro, Stéphanie Magnin, and Almagro San Miguel form the central trio of the series, alongside notable names such as Miryam Gallego, José Luis García-Pérez, Teresa Hurtado de Ory, Sara Rivero, and Berta Galo. They are joined by Llorenç González, Berta Castañé, and Bárbara Mestanza, among others, completing a large ensemble cast that brings to life the stories of workers and clients in an elegant tea salon near Puerta del Sol in 1930s Madrid.
The main cast members walked the orange carpet at the festival and attended the premiere screening of the first episode at the Teatro Principal in Vitoria.
La Moderna, the new daily series for the afternoon schedule of La 1, has been very well received by audiences and began filming on August 7 in authentic locations of old Madrid, as well as in over 2,500 m² of studio sets. These sets carefully recreate the tea salon, an imposing shopping gallery, and the characters’ homes, located in a traditional courtyard building (corrala), all designed with detailed production design and atmosphere.
The series features a highly experienced creative and technical team aimed at strengthening the daily fiction format with a refined visual style and innovative technical approaches. The production is led by Luis Santamaría and Humberto Miró. Direction is handled by Liliana Bocanegra, Isaac Cantero, Pedro Martínez, and David Montoya. The writing team is coordinated by Carlos Martín Eguía and Joaquín Santamaría, and includes Miquel Peidró, José Antonio López (Kata), Remedios Crespo, Ignasi Rubio, Juan Manuel Beiro, Ángela Armero, Neus Peidró, Sergio Barrejón, and José Ángel Domínguez.
About ‘Salón de té La Moderna’
La Moderna is set in Madrid, 1930. Matilde (Helena Ezquerro) is a young woman from a humble family who lives with her mother, Rosario (Miryam Gallego), and her three siblings. She arrives in search of work at La Moderna, one of the most elegant tea salons in Madrid.
Before entering, she meets Íñigo (Almagro San Miguel), her teenage love, someone she hasn’t seen for eight years since the tragic death of Matilde’s father interrupted their budding relationship. Íñigo is now a well-positioned man and the right-hand man of Don Jaime (José Luis García-Pérez), one of the most powerful businessmen in the city. Between Matilde and Íñigo, passion resurfaces—but Carla (Stéphanie Magnin), Don Jaime’s wife and Íñigo’s former lover, refuses to let it happen.
The series is based on “Tea Rooms”, published in 1934 and one of the most well-known works by Luisa Carnés, a major figure of the Generation of ’27. The author drew inspiration from her own experiences working as a waitress in a Madrid pastry shop. The novel is a chronicle focused on the real experiences of working women of the time. Set in 1930s Madrid, the story portrays a fascinating era through the daily lives of workers and customers in a tea salon near Puerta del Sol—a time of social transformation, new beginnings, and also glamour and leisure.
Within the tea salon, the story highlights life’s contradictions: the elegance and opulence of the venue and its clientele contrast sharply with the reality of the women who work there. La Moderna tells the story of a group of spirited women determined to change their destiny—capable of suffering, loving, laughing, and feeling deeply.
One of the series’ key strengths is the timeless nature of its stories, which reflect both the society of the era and the emotions that drive its characters, forming the emotional core of this new RTVE fiction.
The main theme song of La Moderna is performed by Pastora Soler.
Music plays a key role in the new daily series for the afternoon slot on La 1. The song, titled “La Moderna”, was specially composed for the series and for Pastora Soler by Tony Sánchez-Ohlsson. It tells the love story that unfolds in the tea salon that gives the fiction its name.
Episode 1 synopsis
Matilde’s life changes drastically after the sudden and unexpected death of her father. This event will mark the lives of the Garcés family, starting with the widow Rosario and continuing with her siblings Luisa, Pablo, and little Clarita.
Years later, life brings them further hardships. In Madrid, Matilde must find a way to support her family financially and eventually gets a job in an elegant tea salon located in the city center, a place that is beginning to build its reputation in the capital.
There she begins a new chapter alongside her colleagues, in a setting frequented by high society, artists, and the nightlife of Madrid. It is also where she reunites with Íñigo, a childhood friend who brings back the oldest human conflict of all: love. But will that be the only challenge she has to face?
TECHNICAL CREDITS
Direction of Cinema and Fiction RTVE – José Pastor
Executive Producer RTVE – Fernando López Puig
Executive Production Boomerang TV – Luis Santamaría and Humberto Miró
Direction – Liliana Bocanegra, Isaac Cantero, Pedro Martínez, and David Montoya
Screenwriting – Carlos Martín Eguía, Joaquín Santamaría, Miquel Peidró, José Antonio López (Kata), Remedios Crespo, Ignasi Rubio, Juan Manuel Beiro, Ángela Armero, Neus Peidró, Sergio Barrejón, José Ángel Domínguez
Production Management – Tedy Villalba and Laura Jaraiz
Head of Production – Gabriel Nieto
Casting Director – Juan León
Art Direction – Paco Redondo
Head of Costume Design – Marta Gómez (Margo)
Head of Makeup and Hair – Paula Sanabria
Director of Photography – Antonio González Méndez
CAST
HELENA EZQUERRO as Matilde
STÉPHANIE MAGNIN as Carla
ALMAGRO SAN MIGUEL as Íñigo
MIRYAM GALLEGO as Rosario
JOSÉ LUIS GARCÍA-PÉREZ as Don Jaime
TERESA HURTADO DE ORY as Antonia
SARA RIVERO as Teresa
BERTA GALO as Laurita
CARLOS LIBRADO as Cañete
XABIER MURUA as Elías
BÁRBARA MESTANZA as Trini
LLORENÇ GONZÁLEZ as Miguel
BERTA CASTAÑÉ as Luisa
RODRIGO SIMÓN as Pablo
LOREA CARBALLO as Marta
MARÍA JOSÉ PARRA as Esperanza
CARLES SANJAIME as Don Fermín
KINO GIL as Manuel
COSETTE SILGUERO as Clarita
ANDREA FIORILLO as Pietro
PABLO ÁLVAREZ as Raimundo
GERMÁN ALCARAZU as Emilio