When Did Historias Anónimas Premiere?
“Anónima” has two major releases: the Colombian TV series premiered on November 18, 2015, on RCN Televisión, while the Netflix film premiered on December 10, 2021. Both productions share similar themes of anonymity and hidden identities but differ significantly in format and storyline.
The Colombian TV Series: Anónima (2015-2016)
The television series “Anónima” (full title: “Anónima, el pasado te persigue” – “Anonymous, The Past Haunts You”) made its debut on RCN Televisión on November 18, 2015. Produced by Sony Pictures Television and Teleset, the series ran for 73 episodes until March 8, 2016.
The premiere episode achieved impressive ratings with 10.8 rating points and 33.9 share, positioning it as a strong competitor in Colombian primetime television. Throughout its run, the series maintained an average rating of 9.4 points, and by January 2016, it was tied with “La Esclava Blanca” as one of the highest-rated productions on Colombian television.
Cast and Production Team
The series starred Verónica Orozco as Victoria Cuartas, alongside Santiago Alarcón as Maximiliano. The antagonist roles were played by Julián Arango (Ramiro Rocha) and Carlos Serrato. The production featured notable child actor Juan Esteban Aponte as Eric, whose performance became central to the storyline.
Directed by Andrés Biermann and Carlos Mario Urrea, the series was written by Juan Andrés Granados, Gerardo Pinzón, and Andrea López. The show aired Monday through Friday at 9:00 PM (later moved to 10:00 PM).
Storyline Overview
The series follows Victoria Cuartas, a woman who spends 10 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. She remained silent to protect Ramiro Rocha, her fiancé and one of the country’s most wanted criminals, who abandoned her during their wedding when both were arrested.
After her release, Victoria’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the guardian of Eric, a young boy she has no connection to. Eric holds crucial information about Ramiro’s criminal organization—information hidden in coordinates he memorized but cannot recall due to trauma from witnessing his father’s murder.
Victoria and Eric must navigate life under a witness protection program, constantly evading Ramiro’s organization while trying to build a normal life. The title “Anónima” reflects Victoria’s new reality: living anonymously, hidden from both the law and the criminal underworld.
International Distribution
Following its success in Colombia, the series was distributed internationally by Telemundo Internacional. In Mexico, TV Azteca aired the series starting January 18, 2016, on Azteca Trece at 8:00 PM, replacing the previous production “Tanto Amor.”
The Netflix Film: Anónima (2021)
Six years after the Colombian series, Netflix released a completely different production also titled “Anónima.” This romantic comedy premiered globally on December 10, 2021, marking Netflix’s first Mexican teen romantic comedy film.
Production Background
Directed by María Torres (known for “¿Conoces a Tomás?”), the film was produced by Woo Films specifically for Netflix. The screenplay was adapted by Daniela Gómez, Alexandro Aldrete, and María Torres from the popular Wattpad novel written by Mexican author Wendy Mora.
The original novel became a phenomenon on Wattpad after Mora began publishing it in 2016. She wrote the story inspired by her own experience of meeting her husband through an accidental message, though the fictional characters take a very different path. The book attracted millions of readers before being adapted for the screen.
Cast and Characters
The film featured a fresh cast that appealed to younger audiences:
- Annie Cabello as Valeria (Vale)
- Marco Antonio Morales (Ralf) as Alex
- Estefi Merelles as Regina
- Harold Azuara as Ritchie
- Alicia Vélez as Lina
Notably, Ralf (Marco Antonio Morales de la Peña) is a popular TikToker making his acting debut in this production. The casting strategy of including social media influencers helped Netflix reach its target demographic of teenagers and young adults.
Plot Summary
The film tells the story of two high school students, Valeria and Alex, who come from different social backgrounds. Vale is from an upper-middle-class family that owns an elevator company, while Alex comes from a more modest background with a single mother who works as a nurse.
Their story begins when Vale receives an accidental text message from an unknown number late at night. Initially annoyed, she dismisses it, but when she receives an apology the next day, curiosity leads her to respond. This sparks an anonymous digital friendship between “Anónimo” (Anonymous) and Vale.
As their virtual connection deepens into romantic feelings, neither realizes they already know each other in real life—and that their real-world interactions are quite different from their anonymous chats. The film explores themes of identity, class differences, family expectations, and the courage to be authentic.
Reception and Impact
The film’s runtime is 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes). While it received mixed reviews from critics who noted its predictable plot and reliance on rom-com clichés, the film found its audience among teenagers who appreciated the relatable themes and the charming chemistry between the lead actors.
Critics acknowledged that while “Anónima” follows familiar teen romance formulas, it provides wholesome entertainment that captures the experience of modern digital relationships and the complexities of high school dynamics.
Key Differences Between the Two Productions
While both productions share the title “Anónima” and themes of hidden identities, they are entirely different works:
Genre: The 2015 series is a crime drama with thriller elements, while the 2021 film is a teen romantic comedy.
Target Audience: The TV series aimed at adult viewers interested in suspense narratives, whereas the film targets teenagers and young adults.
Theme Interpretation: In the series, “anónima” refers to living in hiding under witness protection. In the film, it represents anonymous digital communication and the personas people create online versus their real identities.
Length and Format: The series spans 73 hour-long episodes across several months, while the film is a self-contained 100-minute story.
Cultural Origin: The series is Colombian, produced for Colombian television with later international distribution. The film is Mexican, produced directly for global Netflix distribution.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The TV Series Legacy
“Anónima” (2015) achieved significant success in Colombian television, with its final episode reaching 11.7 rating points—making it one of the most-watched Colombian series of that year. The series demonstrated that crime dramas focusing on female protagonists could successfully compete in primetime slots traditionally dominated by romantic telenovelas.
The show’s exploration of witness protection programs and the psychological toll of living anonymously resonated with Colombian audiences familiar with the country’s complex relationship with organized crime and justice systems.
The Film’s Contribution
The Netflix film “Anónima” (2021) represents an important milestone as Netflix’s first Mexican teen romantic comedy. It demonstrated the platform’s commitment to producing localized content for Latin American markets while addressing universal themes that resonate globally.
The film’s origin as a Wattpad novel highlights the democratization of storytelling, where amateur writers can see their work adapted into major productions. Wendy Mora’s journey from publishing chapters online “like a Televisa telenovela” to seeing her story on Netflix inspired many aspiring Latin American writers.
Production Companies and Distribution
TV Series Distribution Chain
- Production: Sony Pictures Television and Teleset
- Original Broadcaster: RCN Televisión (Colombia)
- International Distributor: Telemundo Internacional
- International Broadcasts: TV Azteca (Mexico), among others
Film Distribution
- Production Company: Woo Films
- Platform: Netflix (exclusive worldwide release)
- Photography: Erwin Jaquez
- Music: Renato del Real
Frequently Asked Questions
Which “Anónima” premiered first?
The Colombian TV series “Anónima” premiered first on November 18, 2015, on RCN Televisión. The Netflix film came six years later on December 10, 2021.
Are the TV series and the film related?
No, they are completely separate productions with different creators, storylines, and production companies. They share only the title “Anónima” and thematic elements of hidden identities.
Where can I watch these productions?
The 2015 TV series originally aired on RCN Televisión in Colombia and was later broadcast in other countries. Availability for streaming varies by region. The 2021 film is exclusively available on Netflix worldwide.
Is the Netflix film based on a true story?
The film is based on Wendy Mora’s Wattpad novel, which was loosely inspired by how she met her own husband through an accidental message. However, the characters and plot are fictional and take a different direction from the author’s real experience.
The premiere dates for “Anónima” depend on which production you’re asking about. The Colombian crime drama series debuted in November 2015, creating a lasting impact on Latin American television. Six years later, the Netflix romantic comedy film introduced a new generation to stories about anonymity, identity, and connection in the digital age. Both productions, despite sharing a title, offer distinct viewing experiences that reflect the versatility of the “anonymous” concept in storytelling.
Sources:
- Wikipedia – Anónima (serie de televisión)
- Wikipedia – Anónima (película)
- PRODU – Colombian TV industry reports (2015-2016)
- Infobae – Netflix film coverage (December 2021)
- Cinepremiere – Film analysis and interviews
- TV Colombiana Wiki – Series information