The Asunta Case

The Asunta Case

Company type	Miniseries
Industry	Television
Founded	2024
Area served	Spain
Products	Crime thriller television miniseries
Parent	Bambú Producciones

The Asunta Case () is a 2024 Spanish crime thriller miniseries developed by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Jon de la Cuesta, and David Orea Arribas, inspired by the murder of Asunta Basterra. The series features performances by Candela Peña and Tristán Ulloa.

Plot

This miniseries chronicles the investigation surrounding the Asunta Basterra case, beginning when her parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, reported her disappearance on 21 September 2013. Subsequently, Asunta’s body was discovered near Santiago de Compostela.

Episodes

1 "21 September"

Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra discuss their adoption of Asunta from China. Years later, they report her missing. Partygoers find the body of a Chinese girl in a woodland area; orange ropes are found nearby. Civil Guard officer Ríos uncovers similar ropes at Rosario’s countryside residence. Surveillance footage contradicts Rosario’s statements, resulting in her arrest following Asunta’s cremation.

2 "24 September"

While detained, Rosario experiences anxiety and discloses information about her partner Vicente. Alfonso uncovers evidence of Rosario’s infidelity through emails. Toxicology results reveal that Asunta was heavily sedated prior to death. Authorities search for the orange ropes and interview witnesses including Rosario’s lover and neighbors. Alfonso is arrested after a heated exchange with the judge.

3 "26 September"

Following their divorce, Alfonso seeks support from family in Bilbao. Both parents’ residences come under search amid public outrage. Prosecutors evaluate whether evidence justifies Alfonso’s pretrial detention. Recorded custody conversations between Rosario and Alfonso expose tensions; meanwhile, Rosario struggles with her lover Vicente’s reluctance to commit.

4 "28 September"

Rosario’s defense attorney uncovers an unreported attempted assault on Asunta at Rosario’s home. DNA found on Asunta’s clothing matches Carlos Murillo; however, his strong alibi and laboratory errors weaken this lead.

5 "24 hours"

Agent Ríos proposes a theory that Rosario drugged and killed Asunta after an argument, then involved Alfonso to conceal the crime. The judge counters with an alternative hypothesis that Alfonso murdered Asunta to hide a secret, with Rosario unable to challenge this claim. A classmate testifies to seeing Alfonso and Asunta together on the afternoon of the incident.

6 "The trial"

Debates arise over timing of evidence; selecting jurors proves challenging due to media coverage. Court discussions focus on the orange ropes and credibility of witnesses. One juror initially doubts Alfonso’s guilt but is persuaded by recorded dialogues and media-coined expressions. Both parents are sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. The final scene depicts the family enjoying a vacation in Paris before tragedy occurred.

Production

Produced by Bambú Producciones, this six-episode miniseries was created by Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, Jon de la Cuesta, and David Orea Arribas. Direction was handled by Carlos Sedes and Jacobo Martínez. Filming took place in Santiago de Compostela and Vigo, employing numerous technicians from Galicia who had previously contributed to Fariña. To respect sensitivities, the production team deliberately avoided shooting in Asunta’s actual apartment or the country house where she was murdered.

Javier Gutiérrez was the first cast member confirmed for the project. Candela Peña originally auditioned for a smaller role as an agent but successfully persuaded producers to cast her as Rosario Porto. She worked with two coaches to master a Galician accent for authenticity.

Development and Challenges

After the release of the documentary The Asunta Case (Operation Water Lily), producer Ramón Campos obtained fresh accounts from sources who had previously been hesitant to speak out, fearing yellow journalism. These individuals refused to appear on camera, leading Campos to create a dramatized series instead.

Campos clarifies that his intention is not to focus solely on the crime but rather to offer a societal commentary. The narrative delves into subjects such as parenthood through supporting characters who represent various father-child relationships, including the effects of Alzheimer's disease, surrogate father figures, and difficulties with fertility.

The series also examines the media's role, the intricate dynamic between journalism and the judicial system, and the importance of ensuring a fair trial. Campos points out the "hazardous" interaction between justice and media coverage, emphasizing that the parents "were denied any chance to defend themselves." Actor Tristán Ulloa noted that Alfonso Basterra was broadly presumed guilty before his trial due to intense trial by media, despite insufficient evidence.

Launch

The Asunta Case debuted on Netflix on 26 April 2024.

Critical Response

Raquel Hernández Luján from HobbyConsolas awarded the series an 80/100 ('very good'), highlighting Candela Peña's haunting portrayal as its most impressive element.

Álvaro De Luna of Esquire praised the entire cast's strong performances, particularly noting Peña, Ulloa, Gutiérrez, and Borrachero.

Álvaro Onieva from Fotogramas gave it a score of 7/10, commending its production values and narrative flow while questioning whether the true crime genre offers substance beyond marketability.

Awards

|- | rowspan = "2" | || rowspan = "2" | 30th Forqué Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Series || || rowspan = "2" | |- | Best Actress in a Series || Candela Peña || |- | rowspan = "13" | | rowspan = "5" | 26th Iris Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Fiction || || rowspan = "5" | |- | Best Production – Fiction || Ramón Campos || |- | Best Direction – Fiction || Carlos Sedes, Jacobo Martínez || |- | Best Screenplay – Fiction || Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, David Orea, Jon de la Cuesta, Javier Chacártegui || |- | Best Actress || rowspan = "2" | Candela Peña || |- | rowspan = "4" | 12th Feroz Awards | Best Main Actress in a Series || || rowspan = "4" | |- | Best Main Actor in a Series || Tristán Ulloa || |- | Best Supporting Actress in a Series || María León || |- | Best Supporting Actor in a Series || Javier Gutiérrez || |- | rowspan = "4" | 33rd Actors and Actresses Union Awards || Best Television Actress in a Leading Role || Candela Peña || || rowspan = "4" | |- | Best Television Actor in a Leading Role || Tristán Ulloa || |- | Best Television Actor in a Secondary Role || Javier Gutiérrez || |- | Best Television Actress in a Minor Role || Alicia Borrachero ||

See also

• 2024 in Spanish television programming