If You Love 'Riverdale,' Then You'll Love Netflix's New Spanish Original Series, 'Élite'

At this point, I consider myself a connoisseur of Spanish television series on Netflix.  I can't remember the last time I watched a show that didn't come with heavily accented dialogue — and I can probably tell you which of the 10 Spanish actors Netflix seemingly has on rotation starred in which series, like your own personal IMDb. 

Or just offer you some random but fun facts. Like, for example, if the show stars Blanca Suárez or Yon González, you can guarantee there will be a love triangle involving one (or both) of the stars or that Gran Hotel is the Law and Order of the Spanish TV world, in that there is a very high chance at least one actor on every Spanish show on the streaming platform has made a cameo in the 66-episode series. 

Which brings me to Élite — the latest original drama coming to Netflix via España. For those who are also self-proclaimed telenovela aficionados, Élite comes across as a mix of the aforementioned Gran Hotel and Rebelde (without the catchy pop songs). For newbies to the Spanish genre, think of it as Gossip Girl meets Riverdale, with a bit more blood. 

The show centers around three teens from working-class backgrounds who enroll in an exclusive private school and follows their struggle to fit in with their privileged classmates. Ultimately, this clash of the classes results in a murder – and an investigation is launched to find out who the killer is. Could it be Samuel — played by Itzan Escamilla, who you might recognize as young Francisco in Cable Girls —  who was called a "waiter" by the school's bully on his first day and has to deal with his trouble-making older brother (Money Heist's Jaime Lorente) trying to steal his crush? Fellow scholarship kid Nadia (Mina El Hammani), who is Palestinian and forced to remove her headscarf or face expulsion?  

Or is it Christian, aka Río from Money Heist, who finds himself in a love triangle against one of the more popular guys at Las Encinas? 

Then there is rich girl Marina — María Pedraza, also of Money Heist fame —  who is harboring a deep secret while planning her big quinceañera debut. (SPOILER ALERT: She is HIV-positive). Anyone could be responsible for the murder, but it's the mystery surrounded by sex, drugs, and typical high school angst that makes Élite a must-watch. 

Yes! Netflix confirmed in October 2018 that there will be a second season of the hit series. An exact release date has not been announced but it will premiere sometime in 2019. As expected, fans can't wait. "I started watching Elite on Netflix the other and I can’t. Stop. I. need. Season. 2. Now," one viewer tweeted before another asked, "When tf is Netflix gonna release Season 2 for the show House of Flowers?! Or Elite?! Like how is Netflix gonna make bomb ass Spanish shows then not drop the second season?" 

The show has already begun filming its second season, and you can follow Elite on social media for all the latest updates. "Lights are back on in Las Encinas, this time around with three new faces. Elite Season 2 in production. Stay tuned," the show's Twitter shared. We can't wait!

In the meantime, there is no shame in binge-watching Élite again on Netflix.