Some of you recommended or at least asked about The Lady’s Companion (2025) when it first came to Netflix, and (as with too many things) I only got to it this summer. It was pleasantly diverting enough to rate more than a one-line review, but the series isn’t exactly worth a deep-dive either.
The main character is Elena Bianda, a professional lady’s companion, and she’s on her next job attending to the three daughters of recently widowed Don Pedro MencÃa. Oldest daughter Cristina is a little too hot for her boyfriend Eduardo. The middle daughter Sara is trying to study medicine in spite of her father’s opposition, and the youngest daughter Carlota is in permanent mourning for her mother. The family also has a hanger-on, Don Pedro’s godson Santiago.
Elena herself has a complicated, potentially scandalous background, which is connected to the mysterious marquis Gabriel de Bayona Silva. Plus, another lady’s companion Alicia is out to get Elena, ruin her reputation, and take her job. There are also subplots with other young ladies — friends of the MencÃa girls — and their own suitors and lady’s companions, including a surprisingly positive lesbian affair.
The eight-episode series is very much a soap opera, or rather, a telenovela, except the last ep ends with a bunch of cliffhangers. Alas, those will be left hanging because the series wasn’t renewed, even though it got decent ratings.
I kinda wish I could understand the Spanish-language dialogue instead of just following along with subtitles or subbed audio, the later of which is pretty bad at conveying emotion or any substantial acting. But then, it also probably doesn’t matter because this is such a typical soap opera and as fluffy and light at the candy-colored costumes and the extravagant floral displays.
The style of the show is very obviously influenced by Bridgerton, meaning the costumes are historical-ish with tons of color and exuberant details. The settings are also maximalist with touches of both Victoriana and Art Nouveau. There’s also some modern music, and Elena breaks the fourth wall by talking to the camera and an omniscient narrator. This ain’t no serious PBS/BBC style costume drama!
Costume designer Pepe Reyes has a long history with both historical-theme series and modern shows, and I can see that some money was spent on this production. However, the effect can be weirdly inconsistent. Cristina gets the best costumes in the show — they fit well and are made of reasonably period materials, and the styles reflect her wealth, naiveté, and flirty nature.
Cristina wears a lot of open necklines, as if to emphasize she’s the eligible girl, while her middle sister is buttoned-up and serious, to show she’s the student. Carlota has a Wednesday Addams vibe in look and actions.
Elena wears a lot of green, and her clothes are often have a slightly sloppy fit and/or clunky trims. She’s hired help, after all!
The books she’s holding obscure it some, but that bodice opening and trim are kind of clunky, and that’ll be a recurring theme.
I actively hate the collar on this jacket of Elena’s. It’s huge, out of proportion, the white trim looks chintzy, and the extra buttons are dumb.
This outfit makes no sense to me, and I think the color/fabric combo is ugly.
The lady’s companions (who socialize together while watching their charges) do seem to get the most clunky costumes, like these:
It’s not just the hired companions who have weird costumes. Check out this thing worn by Alba de Ibáñez, a friend of the MencÃa girls. It looks like a kicky shrug sewn over a 1950s party dress. Maybe there’s an 1880s fashion plate somewhere that resembles this, but making it up in a modern floral, a weird knit, and cheap-ass daisy appliques doesn’t work IMO.
However, another lady’s companion, Josefina, gets some lovely outfits, like this lavender gown mixing stripes and dots.
The quality is just inconsistent overall. Like these ones that are overall lovely.
Esther Zapico’s wardrobe equals Cristina’s.
In spite of my nitpicking, I do like the majority of the costumes, they suit the period, and corsets and other historical undergarments are in evidence. Plus the adult ladies generally have their hair up, and they wear hats outdoors (which is more than you can say about Bridgerton!).
Even if it can be a lot of look sometimes…
What do you think about The Lady’s Companion?
Find this frock flick at:
I have not seen this seen this series and probably would not enjoy it much, but I am in love with the cream and red ensemble on Cristina in the one photo!
It’s less stupid than the Buccaneers TV show, but that’s not hard! I was sucked in by the total telanovela vibes, and Santiago is hot?
Exactly! It sucked me in.
It was a fun light romp, but my first thought was that it is a small step up from Bridgerton. Yay for hats and up-do’s! but some of the overly colorful ensembles were just so un-period. However, I did enjoy the story line.
Small step up, yup. But not a bad way to pass the time lol.
I liked the embroidery of a swallow on both sides of the collar.
I loved this series when I discovered it, it was funny and beautifully filmed. Yes, some of the costumes were clunky, but but for the most part there was a lot of grace. The Breaking of the fourth wall and self-mockery were funny (it knows it’s a telenova) and well played. I enjoyed it more than The GIlded Age and Bridgerton. But I was SO upset when I found out it had been canceled!!! Damn, why can’t we have anything nice? I hope a book is written to tie up all the loose ends! :-(
Agree, on the costume notes. I di want to ask those who may know Spanish history better.
Based off the clues like lines the show gave us, when is it supposed to be set ?
Oh I forgot to mention in the review but I included the tag – it’s 1880s Madrid.
Not sure of the cuts in some of these costumes, but I do love the colour scheme and the abundance of very lovely brunette ladies in pretty costumes.
I am a man of simple tastes and Perfect is the enemy of Fair Enough.