10 Best Brazilian TV Shows in Global Streaming Platforms

Brazilian TV has a long history of creating powerful, emotional, and unforgettable stories. From classic telenovelas to modern thrillers, Brazilian shows have shaped the entertainment world for decades.

Whether it’s a story about love, family, or drama in small towns and big cities, Brazilian shows always bring strong characters and real-life emotions to the screen.

Let’s explore the top 10 Brazilian TV shows that continue to stand out with their perfect mix of drama, comedy, and thrilling moments.

List of 10 Best Brazilian TV Shows

10: O Casarão

Directed by: Daniel Filho

Cast: Paulo Gracindo, João Maciel, Oswaldo Loureiro, Deodato Leme, Sandra Barsotti, Young Carolina Galvão, Gracindo Júnior, Young João Maciel

Genre: Telenovela

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 168

Release date: June 7, 1976

Network: TV Globo

O Casarão is a classic Brazilian telenovela that aired in 1976 and became renowned for its ambitious storytelling across three generations.

Set against the backdrop of a grand family house, the narrative begins in the early 1900s and unfolds through the decades into the 1970s, using the house as a powerful symbol that links the past, present, and future.

The show skillfully blends romance, mystery, and historical context, portraying how personal choices and societal changes shape the lives of each generation. With strong performances and a reflective narrative style, O Casarão remains a standout among Brazilian TV shows.

9: Gabriela

Directed by: Walter Avancini

Cast: Juliana Paes, Humberto Martins, Luiza Valdetaro, Vanessa Giácomo

Genre: Romantic drama.

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 135

Release date: April 14, 1975

Network: TV Globo

Based on Jorge Amado’s 1958 novel, Gabriela is a landmark Brazilian TV series set in 1925 in the small town of Ilhéus. The story follows Nacib, a bar owner who hires Gabriela as his cook, only to fall deeply in love with her free-spirited and sensual nature.

The show became an instant classic, celebrated for its lush settings, rich storytelling, and bold portrayal of female sensuality.

Gabriela was a success in Brazil and made history as the first Brazilian telenovela to be broadcast in Portugal, airing on RTP in May 1977. Its international appeal and strong performances solidified its place in the Brazilian entertainment industry.

8: Secrets of Sand

Directed by: Wolf Maya, Ignácio Coqueiro, Andre Schultz, Carlos Magalhães

Cast: Glória Pires, Guilherme Fontes, Marcos Frota, Vivianne Pasmanter

Genre: Romance Drama

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 203

Release date: February 1, 1993

Network: Rede Globo

Secrets of Sand (Mulheres de Areia) is one of the most iconic Brazilian TV shows, celebrated for its dramatic storytelling and unforgettable characters. This telenovela revolves around twin sisters Ruth and Raquel—identical in appearance but opposites in personality.

Ruth is gentle and sincere, while Raquel is selfish and manipulative. Both fall in love with the same man, Marcos, sparking a web of emotional turmoil.

Originally aired in 1993 and starring Glória Pires in the dual role of the twins, the series masterfully blends romance, family conflict, and social issues.

Casting some of the top Brazilian actors, the compelling performances and innovative storytelling have cemented its status as a classic in the history of Brazilian telenovelas.

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7: Selva de Pedra

Directed by: Walter Avancini

Cast: Sonia Braga, Wikipedia says João Paulo Adour, Regina Duarte, Francisco Cuoco, Gloria Pires

Genre: Telenovela (Brazilian soap opera)

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 244

Release date: February 24, 1986

Network: TV Globo

Selva de Pedra was aired in 1986 on TV Globo, earning widespread acclaim for its gripping blend of drama and romance. It follows the story of Cristiano, a modest and ambitious man who partners with a visual artist to gain the attention of his wealthy uncle.

This morally questionable decision sets off a chain of events that shatter his marriage, culminating in a tragic car accident. Believing his wife is dead, Cristiano tries to move on, unaware that she has survived and assumes a new identity to rebuild her life.

The show explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the resilience of love through a narrative rich in emotional complexity.

As the thirty-fifth novela das oito broadcast in TV Globo’s prime-time slot, Selva de Pedra featured standout performances by Tony Ramos, Christiane Torloni, and Fernanda Torres.

This Brazilian TV series is a remake of the series directed by Walter Avancini and is praised for its intense storytelling and deep character development.

6: Grande Sertão: Veredas

Directed by: Walter Avancini

Cast: Tony Ramos, Tarcisio Meira, Bruna Lombardi

Genre: Drama, Romance, Historical

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 25

Release date: November 18, 1985

Grande Sertão: Veredas is a Brazilian TV mini series loosely adapted from the iconic novel by João Guimarães Rosa, with a screenplay co-written by José Antônio de Souza.

Featuring some of the best actors, this series follows Riobaldo, a jagunço—a type of mercenary who roamed Brazil’s arid Sertão region—who recounts his life of battles, moral dilemmas, and forbidden love to an unseen listener.

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Brazil, the story delves into complex themes such as violence, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil.

First aired by Rede Globo in 1985 and featuring Tony Ramos in the lead role, Grande Sertão: Veredas was praised for its faithful adaptation, strong performances, and its contribution to the cultural portrayal of Brazil’s historical and social landscape.

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5: Avenida Brasil

Directed by: Ricardo Waddington, Amora Mautner, José Luiz Villamarim

Cast: Murilo Benício, Débora Falabella, Cauã Reymond, Alexandre Borges, Vera Holtz, José de Abreu, Nathalia Dill, Ísis Valverde, Heloísa Périssé, Marcelo Novaes, Fabíula Nascimento

Genre: Telenovela, Mystery, Crime drama, Thriller, Dark comedy

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Episodes: 179 (original run), 160 (international)

Release date: March 26, 2012

Network: TV Globo, Telemundo

Avenida Brasil, created by João Emanuel Carneiro, became a cultural phenomenon in Brazil and gained international acclaim for its compelling narrative and high production values.

The show follows the story of Rita, a young woman seeking revenge against her manipulative stepmother, Carminha. It explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the complexities of family dynamics.

With over 50 million viewers on an average daily basis, the show became the most-watched television program of the year.

It also received numerous accolades, including the Troféu Imprensa for Best Telenovela and multiple APCA awards, further cementing its position as one of the most famous Brazilian TV shows.

4: O Negócio

Directed by: Rodrigo Castilho, Luca Paiva Mello, Júlia Pacheco Jordão, Michel Tikhomiroff

Cast: Rafaela Mandelli, Juliana Schalch, Michelle Batista, Aline Jones, Guilherme Weber, Gabriel Godoy, Eduardo Semerjian

Genre: Drama

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 4

No. of Episodes: 51

Release date: August 18, 2013

Network: HBO Brasil, HBO Latin America

O Negócio is a drama television series created by Luca Paiva Mello and Rodrigo Castilho. The show follows the lives of three high-end call girls, Karin (Rafaela Mandelli), Luna (Juliana Schalch), and Magali (Michelle Batista), who apply marketing strategies to their profession, transforming it into a successful company named Oceano Azul.

The show delves into themes of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and the complexities of personal relationships. It is also listed in BuzzFeed’s compilation of 26 favorite non-American TV shows, becoming the only Brazilian production listed.

Notably, André Santana, a journalist from the television critic website Observatório da Televisão, praised the series for its storyline and for successfully exploring its main theme through humor.

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3: Good Morning, Verônica

Directed by: José Henrique Fonseca, Izabel Jaguaribe, Rog de Souza

Cast: Tainá Müller, Eduardo Moscovis, Camila Morgado, Elisa Volpatto, Silvio Guindane, César Mello, Adriano Garib, Antônio Grassi

Genre: Crime drama, Mystery, Thriller

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 3

No. of Episodes: 17

Release date: October 1, 2020

Network: Netflix

Good Morning, Verônica is a psychological crime thriller series aired on Netflix from 2020 to 2024.

Based on the novel by Raphael Montes, the series follows Verônica Torres, a married police clerk with two children, who witnesses a young woman’s suicide and receives an anonymous call from a woman in need of help.

The show received praise for its gripping storytelling and strong performances, particularly by Tainá Müller. Critics highlighted the show’s courageous portrayal of domestic abuse and institutional corruption.

Despite some critiques, the show maintained a strong following, with audiences appreciating its intense narrative and social commentary.

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2: City of God: The Fight Rages On

Directed by: Aly Muritiba

Cast: Alexandre Rodrigues, Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Edson Oliveirra, Wayne LeGette, Marcos Palmeira, Andréia Horta

Genre: Crime drama

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 6

Release date: August 25, 2024

Network: HBO Latino, Max

City of God: The Fight Rages On is a sequel to the 2002 film City of God. It follows the story of Wilson "Rocket" Rodrigues, who achieves his dream of becoming a photojournalist.

He returns to the favela to document disputes between drug dealers, police, militiamen, and politicians and their impact on its residents.

Critics praised the series for its ambition and insight into the favela lifestyle. The show’s gritty realism and social commentary cemented its place in the British entertainment industry.

1: Scars of Beauty

Directed by: Maria de Médicis, Giovanna Machline, Matheus Senra, Rafael Miranda Fejes

Cast: Camila Pitanga, Camila Queiroz, Giovanna Antonelli, Caio Blat, Marcelo Serrado, Julia Stockler, Breno Ferreira

Genre: Telenovela

Original language: Portuguese

No. of Seasons: 1

No. of Episodes: 40

Release date: January 21, 2025

Network: Max

Scars of Beauty is a 2025 Brazilian Telenovela that follows a young orphan and her family fighting for revenge against those responsible for their tragedies.

The show received acclaim for its intricate plot and powerful performances. Camila Queiroz’s portrayal of Sofia was lauded for its depth and nuance, while Camila Pitanga’s depiction of the manipulative Lola captivated audiences.

Celebrated figures in the Brazilian TV industry, including Glória Perez and Ricardo Linhares, applauded the series for its narrative strength and production quality.

The show quickly became one of the most talked-about Brazilian TV shows of the year, solidifying its place in the modern telenovela landscape.

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