The Lady’s Companionfeatures a strong cast of up-and-coming Spanish talent. Set in the waning years of 19th century Spain,the Netflix romantic period piecefocuses on Elena Bianda. Hired by wealthy families to serve as a chaperon for young women who can help arrange their eventual marriages, Elena gets her greatest challenge yet when she is retained by Pedro Mencia to assist with his three daughters in the aftermath of their mother’s death. This is only further complicated when Elena meets Pedro’s godson Santiago, who quickly catches Elena’s romantic attention.
Compared to otherperiod-piece shows likeBridgerton,The Lady’s Companiontakes a modern approach to the time-period and setting that makes it instantly charming and entertaining.The Lady Companionfeatures a number of Spanish actors and actresses who haven’t appeared in many American movies or shows. However, the success ofThe Lady Companionon Netflix could change all that, especially as it continues to climb Netflix’s charts.
Born July 12, 2025
Active Since:2000
Actor:Nadia de Santiago is the star ofThe Lady Companion, the most recent role in an impressive career that stretches back to her teenage years. Born in Madrid, Spain, Nadia de Santiago got her start in Spanish TV shows likeJavier ya no vive soloandAna y los.Her breakout role was as Carmen inLas 13 rosas, which earned her a Goya Award nomination for Best New Actress. Santiago is best known in Spain for her roles in shows like the long-runningLove in Difficult Timesand the historical dramaCable Girls.
Las 13 rosas
Cable Girls
Marga Suárez
Character:Elena Bianda is the main character ofThe Lady’s Companion, serving as the titular “companion” who chaperons young women in 19th century Madrid. Her role in society is to help arrange marriages, something the clever and efficient Elena is gifted at. She is tasked with helping the Mencia family, forming bonds with the three young women as well as Santiago — who catches the romantic attention of the matchmaker.
Born July 06, 2025
Active Since:2018
Actor:Born in Salamanca, Spain, Álvaro Mel stars inThe Lady’s Companionas Santiago. After initally establishing himself as an online influencer, Mel made his television debut in the dramaA Different Viewas Tomás Peralta.His breakout role came shortly afterwards thanks to his award-nominated performance as Álex Ventura in Alejandro Amenábar’s miniseriesLa Fortuna. He’s since made his film debut in the 2023 Netflix horror filmKiller Book Club.
Killer Book Club
Sebas
Character:Santiago is the godson of Don Pedro Mencía and one of the people who Elena meets when she takes a position helping the family. Mencia intends to marry off his daughter Cristina to Santiago to ensure that the pregnant Cristina doesn’t suffer any societal blowback as a single mother. However,Santiago quickly forms a connection with Elena, becoming her main romantic interest in the first season of the show which only becomes more complicated by Elena’s efforts as a lady’s companion to push him into a relationship with Cristina.
Born July 24, 2025
Active Since:2020
Actor:Isa Montalbán appears as Cristina inThe Lady’s Companion. Born in Madrid, Montalbán made her debut in 2020 in the short film,Tótem Loba. After appearing in films and shows likeHollyBloodandThe Time It Takes,Montalbán found a breakout role as Rita in the TV miniseries,Past Lies.The Lady’s Companionis one of the biggest projects the Spanish actress has worked on and a good showcase for her talents.
Past Lies
Rita
Character:Cristina is the eldest of Don Pedro’s daughters inThe Lady’s Companion. Described as the “angel” of the family, Cristina’s decision to throw caution to the wind and enjoy a night out results in her meeting a man and quickly getting pregnant. This is what prompts Pedro to push for Cristina to marry Santiago, setting off much of the romantic drama of the season, as well as defines the complicated relationship she forms with Elena.
The Lady’s Companion Supporting Cast & Characters
The Lady Companion Features Some Great Spanish Actors
The Lady’s Companionfeatures a number of up-and-coming Spanish actors in major roles, alongside some more experienced faces. Tristán Ulloa (Warrior Nun) plays Pedro Mencia, the patriarch of the wealthy Mencia family. His two younger daughters are the rebellious bookworm Sara and the macabre but sweet Carlota. They are played by Zoe Bonafonte (The Goldsmith’s Secret) and Iratxe Emparan (The Snow Girl) respectively.
Cristina’s fling is with Eduardo, who is played by Ivan Lapadula (Maxima), whileMaria Caballero (The First Omen) appears as Alicia, a rival chaperon who has a particular dislike for Elena. The rest of the cast also features mainstays and newcomers of Spanish film and television. Given the dramatic note that season 1 ends, fans will hopefully get more time with this cast in a prospective season 2 ofThe Lady’s Companion.
