Summer is the perfect time to swap your picnic blanket for the sofa and dive into some steamy encounters courtesy of Spain’s hottest streaming exports. From wealthy teens with dark secrets to elite athletes battling both rivals and themselves, Spanish series are mastering the art of murder mystery, friendship and betrayal in equal measure.
Elite
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a murder mystery collides with a high-end Spanish boarding school, look no further than Netflix’s flagship drama. Across eight seasons (2018–2024), Elite follows the privileged pupils of Las Encinas as they juggle drugs, affairs and, of course, body counts. I’ll never forget the first time a flatmate dragged me into a binge-watch session—our popcorn spilt all over the sofa as the twists kept coming. According to Netflix, Elite consistently ranks in the global Top 10 within days of each new season’s release, cementing its status as a modern classic.
Olympo
Dubbed the “young sister” of Elite, Olympo trades high school hallways for a national sports centre filled with Spain’s finest elite athletes. When synchronized-swimming captain Amaia (Clara Galle) finds herself outshone by best friend Núria, she suspects that something more sinister than rivalry is at play. Tackling themes of doping and intense performance pressure, Netflix’s June 2025 release offers a fresh perspective on ambition—and reminds us that even in a pool, the waters can run dangerously deep.
Toy Boy
For those craving more than just teenage angst, Toy Boy serves up a potent mix of striptease, romance and courtroom drama. Jesús Mosquera stars as Hugo Beltrán, a male exotic dancer released on parole after seven years inside for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. Teaming up with a feisty young lawyer and his fellow dancers, Hugo sets out to clear his name. With María Pedraza (Elite) alongside him, the series delivers a surprisingly tender love story amid its late-night shows.
Valeria
If you loved Sex and the City, Valeria might just be your next guilty pleasure. Based on Elísabet Benavent’s bestselling novels, it chronicles author Valeria (Diana Gómez) as she wrestles with writer’s block and a rocky marriage. Her three friends—Carmen, who’s cautious around men; Nerea, still keeping secrets from her family; and Lola, entangled in a toxic affair—offer both comic relief and heartfelt support. Through laughter, tears and plenty of flirtations, Valeria explores modern female solidarity in all its messy glory.
Macho Alfa
In what feels like Valeria with a Y chromosome, Macho Alfa tracks four forty-something friends confronting mid-life crises, stalled love lives and toxic masculinity. Whether it’s charting the decline of desire or debating open relationships, this four-season hit balances humour with genuine insight. Netflix’s French remake, Super Mâles, arrived in January 2025 but has yet to match the original’s candid take on what it means to grow up, even when you’re convinced you never will.
From Las Encinas to the poolside lanes of Olympic hopefuls, Spanish series prove one thing above all: drama doesn’t need a language barrier. So grab some snacks, lower the lights and prepare for screens that are hotter than the Mediterranean sun.
