Already streaming on the platform, Habeas Corpus is Netflix’s first original Brazilian legal drama series. The show follows the story of Inez Franco (Marjorie Estiano), a teacher who leads a group of students in an attempt to prove the innocence of Jonathan (Hypólito), a young man who claims to have been wrongfully imprisoned six years ago.
Inspired by real cases of criminal review and the work of Innocence Project Brasil, the plot also explores the secret connection between Marina (Any Gabrielly), a brilliant scholarship holder, and Inez’s past. While trying to prove Jonathan’s innocence, the teacher has to deal with many other events. Between them is Murilo (Vladimir Brichta), her ex-husband, who is currently representing the other side, beside Pedro (Danton Mello) and Ana (Natália Lage).
Although being known as the Brazilian version of How to Get Away With Murder, the series attempts to distance itself from the typical American drama narratives. Even when the script takes some shortcuts, the production shines by directing the spotlight to urgent and neglected debates in the legal field, such as bureaucratic delays.
Cast Performance
The work’s power is sustained by the dynamic interplay between the two leads, Marjorie Estiano and Any Gabrielly. The veteran actress portrays an Inez scarred by guilt over an injustice caused by her own arrogance and ego, while the younger actress delivers a character who is ambiguous, controversial, and driven daily by the need for justice.
The young cast is a curious surprise, demonstrating that their characters are essential to the story’s progression. This is further evidenced by actors such as Felipe Ricca and Luiza Gabus Mendes. Carrying powerful and well-known names, the duo initially awakens uncertainty regarding family privilege, but they soon prove otherwise; with solid, convincing performances, they demonstrate their ability to handle the complexity their roles demand.
Another major achievement by directors Luiz Villaça and Flávia Lacerda is the smart use of flashbacks that recreate the crime under investigation step by step, allowing viewers to reconstruct the events in their minds with more clarity and immersion. By witnessing the numerous versions of the events, the audience realizes that the series rejects the idea of a conviction as a settled matter. Instead, it focuses on exposing human failure, highlighting the urgency and necessity of criminal case reviews.
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Now available on Netflix, Habeas Corpus makes history as the first Brazilian legal drama and sets the bar high for the genre right from the start. Driven by intelligent choices and a strong sense of social justice, the series brilliantly fulfills its mission, entertaining viewers while bringing a necessary debate.
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The article above was edited by Isabelle Bignardi.
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