Sortilegio, the 2009 telenovela from Televisa, runs 90 episodes across one season and plays out as a slow-burning drama of mistaken identity, family secrets and a marriage built on a lie. The story follows María José Samaniego Miranda de Lombardo, played by Jacqueline Bracamontes, who believes she is marrying Alejandro Lombardo, played by William Levy. In fact, her fiancé is Bruno, the half-brother of the real Alejandro, who has inherited a vast fortune.
The Setup
Victoria, played by Daniela Romo, had an affair with her husband Samuel’s friend Antonio Lombardo, resulting in twins Bruno and Raquel, played by David Zepeda and Chantal Andere. Antonio also had a son, Alejandro, with his wife Adriana. After both spouses died, Antonio and Victoria reunited and married, raising their children to treat each other as step-siblings rather than half-siblings.
Bruno becomes an irresponsible man who disrespects the law. Alejandro, meanwhile, is responsible and respected. Antonio prefers Alejandro and decides he should inherit the money.
The Deception
When Antonio is killed after being run over, Bruno learns Alejandro will inherit everything. He decides to pretend to be Alejandro, marry María José and then kill the real Alejandro. María José, played by Jacqueline Bracamontes, is a sweet, innocent girl. She is heartbroken to learn Alejandro has died and furious when she discovers Bruno’s deception.
Bruno threatens to send María José’s father to prison if she does not go along with the scheme. She reluctantly agrees to deceive everyone into believing she married Alejandro. When Alejandro returns alive, the family discovers the truth.
The Cast
The ensemble includes Gabriel Soto as Fernando Alanís, Ana Brenda Contreras as Maura Albarrán, María Victoria as Felipa, José Carlos Ruiz as Chucho, Mónica Miguel as Maya San Juan, Otto Sirgo as Jorge Krueger and Aarón Hernán as Porfirio Betancourt. David Zepeda plays Bruno as the scheming villain, while William Levy plays the real Alejandro as the injured party.
Reception and Run
Univisión broadcast Sortilegio from October 6, 2009, through February 17, 2010, replacing Mañana es para siempre. The last episode aired on February 17, 2010, with Corazón salvaje taking over. Reruns ran on Univision from July 30 to September 7, 2012, and again from September 10 to October 19, 2012.
The series is a remake of Tú o nadie.
Our Verdict
Sortilegio is a telenovela of familiar shape, with a twist that pays off late rather than early. The performances are committed, particularly from Bracamontes and Zepeda, who carry the central deception with conviction. The story drags in its middle stretch, weighed down by repetitive scenes and a pace that could use cutting, but the resolution lands with force.
Sortilegio earns a score of 7.7 out of 10.
Key Facts
- 90 episodes, 1 season
- First aired June 1, 2009, last aired June 1, 2009
- Created by María Zarattini
- Network: Las Estrellas
- Main stars: Jacqueline Bracamontes, William Levy, David Zepeda, Daniela Romo
Comparison of Broadcast Runs
| Channel | Period | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Univisión | Oct 6, 2009 – Feb 17, 2010 | 9 pm/8c |
| Univision | Jul 30 – Sep 7, 2012 | 1 pm/12c |
| Univision | Sep 10 – Oct 19, 2012 | 2 pm/1c |
Sortilegio is a solid, if predictable, entry in the telenovela canon. It rewards patience and delivers a satisfying ending, even if the road there is uneven.
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