History Series / Isabel

* EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses

''Isabel'' is a 2011 Spanish HistoricalFiction series produced by Diagonal TV and aired by national broadcaster ''Televisión Española'' (or TVE for short) and its international channel, TVE Internacional.

[[CulturalTranslation Originally conceived]] as [[TransatlanticEquivalent a Spanish answer]] to ''Series/TheTudors'', the three-season series [[ShownTheirWork follows]] [[FreakierThanFiction closely]] the various shenanigans that marked the life and later reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile, ''the Catholic'' (1451-1504), beginning in the time when a teenage Isabel and her brother Alfonso are brought from reclusion in the Castle of Arévalo to the DeadlyDecadentCourt of her half-brother, King Enrique IV, in Segovia. While surviving ridiculous levels of court intrigue, wars and [[TreacherousAdvisor treacherous advisors]], what was once a little girl so far in the line of succession that nobody though she had a hope to rule makes use of her own self-strenght and ambition to become the historical figure that we remember today as the Queen that united the crowns of Castile and Aragon through her [[MarryForLove unauthorized marriage]] to King Ferdinand II, conquered Granada, sponsored UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus, founded UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain. The first season covers the period between 1461 and 1474, the second to 1492, and the third ends with Isabel's own death in 1504. A 2016 movie, ''La Corona Partida'' ("The Divided Crown"), depicts the years right after Isabel's death and serves as link to the SpiritualSuccessor series ''Carlos, Rey Emperador'' ("Charles, King-Emperor"), that follows the reign of Isabel's grandson, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and was done by the same crew.

Even before airing, ''Isabel'' had acquired fame in its home country for its very TroubledProduction that nearly got it cancelled before its debut. ''Isabel'' was expected (and advertised) to begin airing in the fall of 2011, but TVE pushed the premiere back a whole year after the first season was already completed as part of a LoopholeAbuse to conform with its government-approved budget, since TVE's yearly cost is based on the cost of programs that have ''aired'' during said year. The series budget has not been disclosed but is believed to be high by Spanish TV standards, with former showrunner Javier Olivares merely stating that it is not superior to that of ''Series/AguilaRoja'', also airing at the same time in TVE and reputed to be the most expensive Spanish TV series ''ever''. In the meantime the filming of the second season was put on hold and even the sets were dismantled. Diagonal TV went to the lenghts of organizing a premiere of the first episode on a Madrid theatre in May 28, 2012 to pressure TVE into airing their product. Luckily, when ''Isabel'' finally began airing in the fall of 2012 the series was immediately [[AllIsWellThatEndsWell met with success]], becoming one of TVE's most popular programs (averaging 20% share) and was praised by viewers and critics alike for its acting, historical accuracy, [[PimpedOutDress fabulous wardrobe design]] and set design.

The series is available in [=DramaFever=] with English subtitles and has been acquired by stations in a number of countries in Europe and the Americas.

** [[BigBad Juan Pacheco]]'s villainy in the first season was toned ''down''. Yep, he did try to kidnap Enrique IV and [[JokerImmunity got away scott-free]]. The difference is that he did it [[UpToEleven twice]]. He also kidnapped Enrique's predecessor's once.

** Before release, Olivares joked that people would surely criticize that the show's Isabel [[LatinoIsBrown was too blonde]] [[HistoricalBeautyUpdate and pretty]]. Guess what was the first thing people complained about, often waving a [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpwexIpyV5I/T5RLdQqivGI/AAAAAAAABpE/7OGVLyX7pss/s1600/img060.jpg portrait]] of when [[YouFailLogicForever she was pushing 50 and dying of cancer]]. The chronicles of the time do describe the [[http://arquehistoria.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Isabel_la_Cat%C3%B3lica-21-e1350118284550.jpg young Isabel]] as "nice-looking" and say that Fernando and her were [[LoveAtFirstSight instantly smitten]] when they met.

* HistoricalDomainCharacter: Excluding the odd servant, the [[ShownTheirWork vast majority]] of characters are historical.

* HollywoodHistory: The Granada plotline has been criticized as being a bit too simplified, and its wardrobe closer to Ottoman if not ''ArabianNights''-like than properly Nasrid. Granadan soldiers are also almost all armed with scimitars, when they used [[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espada_jineta straight swords]] in real life. Finally, the Berber Gomeres from Northern Morocco are [[RaceLift portrayed by]] Black African actors.

** The Iberian courts that take most of the screen time were not as lavish as the ones in other countries that spring to mind when we hear the word "Renaissance". This is reflected by the brief apparitions of the French court, or when [[YoungFutureFamousPeople Cardinal]] [[TheBorgias Borja]] mentions that he finds Castile dull compared to Rome. The opulence of Seville's nobility in the second season makes the Royal Court in Segovia seem poor and backwards in comparison, and Muslim Granada is just ''fabulous''. It's no wonder that Isabel's wardrobe takes a step upward after visiting Andalusia.

* ManipulativeBastard: Juan Pacheco is the biggest example, but there are many others: Archbishop Carrillo, [[UnexpectedCharacter Cardinal]] [[TheBorgias Borja]], Fernando of Aragon and Juan (Joao II) of Portugal.

** Juana de Avis [[TheLibby acts the way she acts]] because 1) she loves her daughter and 2) her husband won't stand for her or even touch her.

* AgentPeacock / {{Bishonen}}: Beltrán de la Cueva.

* AMatchMadeInStockholm: Isabel de Solís falls in love with Muley-Hacén after being made his slave. [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation She denies it later, though.]]
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling:
** Alfonso of Castile to Isabel.
** Isabel to Enrique IV, for pretty much the opposite reason.
** Pedro Girón [[PragmaticVillainy to Juan Pacheco]].
** Pedro to Diego de Mendoza, though it only manifests once in the second season.

* TheLibby:
** Juana de Avis to Isabel when she is taken to the Royal Court.
** [[GenerationXerox Juana's daughter to Isabel's daughter]] after the second moves to Portugal to be educated and [[ArrangedMarriage meet her future husband]].

* TheMedic: Lorenzo Badoz.
* TheMentor: Gonzalo Chacón to Isabel.
** EvilMentor:
*** Juan Pacheco to Enrique IV, [[HarmlessVillain but he learns nothing]]. [[XanatosGambit Not that that]] [[TreacherousAdvisor can't be]] [[ManipulativeBastard spinned in]] [[PuppetKing Pacheco's favor]].
*** Alfonso Carrillo to Isabel, until it [[OutGambitted kinda explodes]] [[GoneHorriblyRight in his face]].
-->'''Isabel:''' Sometimes I fear that because of my duty, and because of pride, I will become you.
* MissFanservice: Aldonza de Ivorra.

* MommasBoy: Boabdil.
* MrExposition: Hernando de Talavera at times.
* MrViceGuy:
** Fernando's womanizing.
** Isabel's sometimes sickening religiosity.
** Enrique's lack of commitment.

Even before airing, ''Isabel'' had acquired fame in its home country for its very TroubledProduction that nearly got it cancelled before its debut. ''Isabel'' was expected (and advertised) to begin airing in the fall of 2011, but TVE pushed the premiere back a whole year after the first season was already completed as part of a LoopholeAbuse to conform with its government-approved budget, since TVE's yearly cost is based on the cost of programs that have ''aired'' during said year. The series budget has not been disclosed but is believed to be high by Spanish TV standards, with former showrunner Javier Olivares merely stating that it is not superior to that of ''AguilaRoja'', also airing at the same time in TVE and reputed to be the most expensive Spanish TV series ''ever''. In the meantime the filming of the second season was put on hold and even the sets were dismantled. Diagonal TV went to the lenghts of organizing a premiere of the first episode on a Madrid theatre in May 28, 2012 to pressure TVE into airing their product. Luckily, when ''Isabel'' finally began airing in the fall of 2012 the series was immediately [[AllIsWellThatEndsWell met with success]], becoming one of TVE's most popular programs (averaging 20% share) and was praised by viewers and critics alike for its acting, historical accuracy, [[PimpedOutDress fabulous wardrobe design]] and set design.

[[CulturalTranslation Originally conceived]] as [[TransatlanticEquivalent a Spanish answer]] to ''TheTudors'', the three-season series [[ShownTheirWork follows]] [[FreakierThanFiction closely]] the various shenanigans that marked the life and later reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile, ''the Catholic'' (1451-1504), beginning in the time when a teenage Isabel and her brother Alfonso are brought from reclusion in the Castle of Arévalo to the DeadlyDecadentCourt of her half-brother, King Enrique IV, in Segovia. While surviving ridiculous levels of court intrigue, wars and [[TreacherousAdvisor treacherous advisors]], what was once a little girl so far in the line of succession that nobody though she had a hope to rule makes use of her own self-strenght and ambition to become the historical figure that we remember today as the Queen that united the crowns of Castile and Aragon through her [[MarryForLove unauthorized marriage]] to King Ferdinand II, conquered Granada, sponsored UsefulNotes/ChristopherColumbus, founded UsefulNotes/TheSpanishInquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain. The first season covers the period between 1461 and 1474, the second to 1492, and the third ends with Isabel's own death in 1504. A 2016 movie, ''La Corona Partida'' ("The Divided Crown"), depicts the years right after Isabel's death and serves as link to the SpiritualSuccessor series ''Carlos, Rey Emperador'' ("Charles, King-Emperor"), that follows the reign of Isabel's grandson, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and was done by the same crew.

* GirlsNeedRoleModels: While Isabel is not without flaws and does have her moments of weakness, she is strong-willed, intelligent, often questions the conventions and double standards of her time, is occasionally [[NiceToTheWaiter Nice to the Waiter]] and not above doing some household chores for her loved ones.

** Juan II of Portugal to Fernando II of Aragon. Both are perfect Renaissance princes: young, energetic, ambitious, educated, cunning and manipulative (both are regarded, in fact, as possible inspirations of Machiavelli's ''ThePrince'') and they stop at nothing to strengthen their respective crowns and kingdoms when they become kings. Both are the sole surviving sons of their aging, but still powerful and ambitious fathers, and both are drawn by them into fighting the War of Castilian Succession against each other, each on behalf of a Castilian princess, Juana and Isabel, where both excel at the battlefield. Their respective princess also falls in LoveAtFirstSight with them. However, while Fernando is free to marry Isabel and lead the Aragonese army in Castile while his father remains in Aragon, Juan is already married when the war begins and Juana has to marry his widower father, who takes command of the Portuguese army. The more cautious father is outperformed by Fernando, losing the land campaign as part of his indecision in the key moments. Had Juan been free to marry Juana, her side could have prevailed and this show been made about them. To top the cake, both have one adknowledged bastard and one legitimate son that predeceases them, making their crown go to an UnexpectedSuccessor upon their death. The resemblance is [[RealityIsUnrealistic so uncanny]] that the only reason the Portuguese comes as a villain in the show is that we rarely see his family life, while Fernando gets plenty of PetTheDog moments from his.

[[CulturalTranslation Originally conceived]] as [[TransatlanticEquivalent a Spanish answer]] to ''TheTudors'', the three-season series [[ShownTheirWork follows]] [[FreakierThanFiction closely]] the various shenanigans that marked the life and later reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile, ''the Catholic'' (1451-1504), beginning in the time when a teenage Isabel and her brother Alfonso are brought from reclusion in the Castle of Arévalo to the DeadlyDecadentCourt of her half-brother, King Enrique IV, in Segovia. While surviving ridiculous levels of court intrigue, wars and [[TreacherousAdvisor treacherous advisors]], what was once a little girl so far in the line of succession that nobody though she had a hope to rule makes use of her own self-strenght and ambition to become the historical figure that we remember today as the Queen that united the crowns of Castile and Aragon through her [[MarryForLove unauthorized marriage]] to King Ferdinand II, conquered Granada, sponsored ChristopherColumbus, founded TheSpanishInquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain. The first season covers the period between 1461 and 1474, the second to 1492, and the third ends with Isabel's own death in 1504. A 2016 movie, ''La Corona Partida'' ("The Divided Crown"), depicts the years right after Isabel's death and serves as link to the SpiritualSuccessor series ''Carlos, Rey Emperador'' ("Charles, King-Emperor"), that follows the reign of Isabel's grandson, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and was done by the same crew.

* TheRenaissance

* SinisterMinister: [[TreacherousAdvisor Carrillo]] and [[TheFundamentalist the Dominicans]] (Ojeda and [[KnightTemplar Torquemada]]. Yes, [[TheSpanishInquisition that one]]).

* TheSpanishInquisition: Founded in the second half of the second season.

** The kid Enrique IV sees in the first season finale is either his imagination, an angel or a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelg%C3%A4nger doppelgänger]].

** The [[http://lab.rtve.es/serie-isabel/rendicion-de-granada/img/cuadro/la_rendicion_de_granada-tv.jpg surrender of Granada]], to the [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/La_Rendición_de_Granada_-_Pradilla.jpg/ 1882 painting]].
** [[http://estaticos03.elmundo.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2014/09/06/14100124369584.jpg Isabel's death]], to ''[[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Rosales_-_Doña_Isabel_la_Católica_dictando_su_testamento.jpg Isabel the Catholic dictating her will]]'' (1864).

** The [[http://lab.rtve.es/serie-isabel/rendicion-de-granada/img/cuadro/la_rendicion_de_granada-tv.jpg surrender of Granada]], to the [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/La_Rendición_de_Granada_-_Pradilla.jpg/1280px-La_Rendición_de_Granada_-_Pradilla.jpg 1882 painting]].
** [[http://estaticos03.elmundo.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2014/09/06/14100124369584.jpg Isabel's death]], to ''[[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Rosales_-_Do%C3%B1a_Isabel_la_Cat%C3%B3lica_dictando_su_testamento.jpg Isabel the Catholic dictating her will]]'' (1864).

** The [[http://lab.rtve.es/serie-isabel/rendicion-de-granada/img/cuadro/la_rendicion_de_granada-tv.jpg surrender of Granada]], to the [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/La_rendici%C3%B3n_de_Granada.jpg 1882 painting]].
** [[http://estaticos03.elmundo.es/assets/multimedia/imagenes/2014/09/06/14100124369584.jpg Isabel's death]], to ''[[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Do%C3%B1a_Isabel_la_Cat%C3%B3lica_dictando_su_testamento_%28Rosales%29.jpg Doña Isabel the Catholic dictating her will]]'' (1864).

[[CulturalTranslation Originally conceived]] as [[TransatlanticEquivalent a Spanish answer]] to ''TheTudors'', the three-season series [[ShownTheirWork follows]] [[FreakierThanFiction closely]] the various shenanigans that marked the life and later reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile, ''the Catholic'' (1451-1504), beginning in the time when a teenage Isabel and her brother Alfonso are brought from reclusion in the Castle of Arévalo to the DeadlyDecadentCourt of her half-brother, King Enrique IV, in Segovia. While surviving ridiculous levels of court intrigue, wars and [[TreacherousAdvisor treacherous advisors]], what was once a little girl so far in the line of succession that nobody though she had a hope to rule makes use of her own self-strenght and ambition to become the historical figure that we remember today as the Queen that united the crowns of Castile and Aragon through her [[MarryForLove unauthorized marriage]] to King Ferdinand II, conquered Granada, sponsored ChristopherColumbus, founded TheSpanishInquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain. The first season covers the period between 1461 and 1474, the second to 1492, and the third ends with Isabel's own death in 1504. While a fourth season [[ArtifactTitle without Isabel]] was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen considered]], it was eventually discarded in favor of a SpiritualSuccessor following the reign of Isabel's grandson, Charles I/V, who inherited Spain at the death of Ferdinand in 1516.

''Isabel'' is a 2011 Spanish HistoricalFiction series produced by Diagonal TV and aired by national broadcaster ''Televisión Española'' (or TVE, for short) and its international station, the ''Canal Internacional''.

''Isabel'' is a 2011 Spanish HistoricalFiction series produced by Diagonal TV and aired by national broadcaster ''Televisión Española'' and its international station, the ''Canal Internacional''.

** The Mendozas are descendants of ElCid.

* AgeLift: As you might have noted by the introduction above, Isabel was ''10'' when she was taken to the Court, but in the series she's still played by then 25 years old Michelle Jenner who looks 14 in the first scene at the very least. 20 years-old Víctor Elías plays the Infante Alfonso, who would be 8 at the beginning of the series, more as a cocky, unfitted teenager than the clueless kid he would have been at the time of the Farce of Avila, and Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba (played by ''36'' [[OlderThanTheyLook years old]] Sergio Peris-Mencehta) joins Alfonso's entourage as a late teenager at the very least, [[HistoricalBadassUpgrade already trained and seasoned in combat]], rather than at 13 as in RealLife. These characters' ages are never mentioned on screen, so VagueAge is also at work. On the other hand, 36 year-old Rodolfo Sancho's Fernando of Aragon very much stands out, being 11 years older than Jenner, even though the fact that the two have the same age is an important plot point.

[[CulturalTranslation Originally conceived]] as [[TransatlanticEquivalent a Spanish answer]] to ''TheTudors'', the series [[ShownTheirWork follows]] [[FreakierThanFiction closely]] the various shenanigans that marked the life and later reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile, ''the Catholic'' (1451-1504), beginning in the time when a teenage Isabel and her brother Alfonso are brought from reclusion in the Castle of Arévalo to the DeadlyDecadentCourt of her half-brother, King Enrique IV, in Segovia. While surviving ridiculous levels of court intrigue, wars and [[TreacherousAdvisor treacherous advisors]], what was once a little girl so far in the line of succession that nobody though she had a hope to rule makes use of her own self-strenght and ambition to become the historical figure that we remember today as the Queen that united the crowns of Castile and Aragon through her [[MarryForLove unauthorized marriage]] to King Ferdinand II, conquered Granada, sponsored ChristopherColumbus, founded TheSpanishInquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain.

As of September 2014, the show is in its third season. The first one covers the period between 1461 and 1474, from the end of Isabel's childhood to her coronation in Valladolid; the second, from 1474 to the surrender of Granada and the expulsion of the Jews in 1492, and the third ends with Isabel's own death in 1504. It is debated if the series will continue [[ArtifactTitle without Isabel]], or be replaced by a SpiritualSequel centered around a different monarch.

Even before airing, the series acquired fame in its home country for its very TroubledProduction that nearly got it cancelled before its debut. ''Isabel'' was expected (and advertised) to begin airing in the fall of 2011, but TVE pushed the premiere back a whole year after the first season was already completed as part of a LoopholeAbuse to conform with its government-approved budget, since TVE's yearly cost is based on the cost of programs that have ''aired'' during said year. The series budget has not been disclosed but is believed to be high by Spanish TV standards, with former showrunner Javier Olivares merely stating that it is not superior to that of ''AguilaRoja'', also airing at the same time in TVE and reputed to be the most expensive Spanish TV series ''ever''. In the meantime the filming of the second season was put on hold and even the sets were dismantled. Diagonal TV went to the lenghts of organizing a premiere of the first episode on a Madrid theatre in May 28, 2012 to pressure TVE into airing their product. Luckily, when ''Isabel'' finally began airing in the fall of 2012 the series was immediately [[AllIsWellThatEndsWell met with success]], becoming one of TVE's most popular programs (averaging 20% share) and was praised by viewers and critics alike for its acting, historical accuracy, [[PimpedOutDress fabulous wardrobe design]] and set design.

** Alfonso V of Portugal marries his 13 year-old niece, ''consummates'', and is at least implied [[spoiler: to be okay with poisoning his own sister when she tries to have an influence on her daughter's rule]].

** Fernando then [[spoiler: has his own son-in-law murdered, whom his daughter loves madly, when he fears that his son might die of an illness and leave his kingdoms to be inherited by the Portuguese.]]

* ButForMeItWasTuesday: Most of the things Pedro Girón's does.

** In the first season, the nobles rebel against Enrique IV accusing him of being homosexual, not the father of his child, [[AndThatsTerrible a pacifist and too nice to religious minorities]].

** Witnesses are present for the consummation of a royal marriage and the birth of their children. At best, the new couple can hope they agree to be behind the door and just listening, but they will demand to see the bloodied sheets to certify that the bride was a virgin. Enrique IV actually gets flack because he refused to do this, and eventually abolished the practice, fueling the rumors that he is impotent, homosexual or both.

* DemotedToExtra: Not to an extreme degree, but Torquemada is introduced later than he joined Isabella's court in real life and the fact that he was one of her confessors is glossed over. In the show, his nomination as Grand Inquisitor of Castile seems to be an imposition of the Vatican, possibly [[PoliticallyCorrectHistory to avoid making Isabel too unsympathetic.]]

** Given how closely related most monarchs are, this trope is in full force. When Isabel tells the King of Portugal that she'd rather be at peace with a relative, he mockingly replies that disputes are more common with relatives than with strangers.