Cuban actress Laura de la Uz recently expressed her excitement on Facebook about the first day of filming for the Spanish series "Barrio Esperanza." She is working alongside Mariano Peña, globally recognized for his unforgettable role as Mauricio Colmenero in "Aída."
"First day on set with the king, Mariano Peña. Everyone in Cuba loves and admires Mariano, thanks to his charismatic character in 'Aída.' I must say, I was thrilled when I found out I'd be working with him," De la Uz shared.
The Havana-born actress praised her co-star as "a master of timing and comedic expression," emphasizing that they both share "the same discipline and respect for their craft."
"We shared a lot of laughs," she added, encouraging her followers to send warm words and admiration to the Spanish actor.
The Characters of "Barrio Esperanza"
In "Barrio Esperanza," De la Uz portrays Fátima Cruz Ramírez, a straightforward and sarcastic Cuban teacher who views the challenges of a Madrid school as "first-world problems."
Mariano Peña takes on the role of Don Antonio, a near-retirement teacher embodying the "old school" ethos. In a recent interview with El País, Peña described his character as someone who "smells of camphor but exudes a lot of tenderness."
A Social Comedy with Impressive Debut
"Barrio Esperanza" is an eight-episode social comedy produced by Globomedia for Spain's La 1 network, created by Iván Escobar and Antonio Sánchez Olivas.
Filming kicked off in July 2025 in Madrid, and the series premiered on April 19, 2026, to remarkable success: an average of 1,611,000 viewers and a 15.3% audience share, marking the best debut for a weekly fiction series on La 1 in six years. With delayed viewing, the number of viewers rose to over two million.
Mariano Peña's Cuban Connection
The bond between Mariano Peña and Cuban audiences runs deep. "Aída," where he played Mauricio Colmenero for nine seasons from 2005 to 2014, remains a beloved series in Cuba, with many fans having watched it over 20 times despite its lack of official broadcast on the island.
In August 2024, Peña and Melani Olivares visited Cuba, where they were warmly welcomed by enthusiastic fans. The visit also featured a meeting with Ana de Armas in Havana.
This year, Peña reprised his most famous role in the film "Aída y Vuelta," which premiered in Miami on February 5 as a tribute to Cuban and Latin fans.
Laura de la Uz, meanwhile, boasts an impressive career in Spanish television. She starred in the series "El corredor de la muerte" on Movistar+ in 2019 and was part of the cast for the new season of "UPA Next" in 2022.
"I can't hate Mauricio Colmenero; I owe a lot to that character," Mariano Peña admitted in the same El País interview, highlighting the enduring impact of a character that continues to connect actors across the Atlantic.
Insights on "Barrio Esperanza" and Its Stars
What is "Barrio Esperanza" about?
"Barrio Esperanza" is an eight-episode social comedy that explores the dynamics and challenges within a Madrid school, featuring characters from diverse backgrounds.
Who are the main characters in "Barrio Esperanza"?
The series stars Laura de la Uz as Fátima Cruz Ramírez, a direct and sarcastic Cuban teacher, and Mariano Peña as Don Antonio, a traditionalist teacher nearing retirement.
How did "Barrio Esperanza" perform upon its release?
The series had an outstanding debut, averaging 1,611,000 viewers and a 15.3% audience share, with over two million viewers when including delayed viewership.