The series The Gardener, a hitman thriller directed by Miguel Sáez Carral, has become the new phenomenon on Netflix since its premiere on April 11. Just a few weeks after its release, the show is already in first place on the list of the 10 most popular series in Spain and has positioned itself as number one in 54 countries.
More than just cutting the plants
The gardener follows the story of a mother, nicknamed La China Jurado, and her son Elmer, who run a crime-for-hire business under the guise of a nursery. Elmer, whose emotional development has been affected by an accident in his childhood, finds himself in a dilemma when he falls in love with Violeta, a charming kindergarten teacher. The series delves into the protagonist’s internal conflict as his mother seeks to keep her dark business afloat, even considering eliminating Violeta to protect her interests.
With only six episodes, The Gardener has captured the audience’s attention, and its success has impacted the popularity of other series on the platform. Titles like Black Mirror, which premiered its seventh season on April 10, and Adolescence, which has been one of the big sensations on Netflix, have dropped to second and third place respectively. Meanwhile, Pulse, an original medical series in English, is in fourth place.
The impressive rise of El jardinero not only highlights the growing influence of Spanish content on the global stage, but also reflects the ability of Netflix to deliver immersive narratives that capture the attention of diverse audiences around the world. Expectations are high for the future of this series, and fans eagerly await how the complex relationship between Elmer and his mother will evolve in the upcoming episodes.
