Madam Beja is a Brazilian telenovela developed by Renata Jhin, António Barreira and Daniel Berlinsky. It is an adaptation of the 1986 telenovela Dona Beija, written by Wilson Aguiar Filho, and stars Grazi Massafera as the title character. The series premiered on HBO Max on 2 February 2026, and follows a young woman from Araxá whose hopes for a simple life are shattered, leading her to build an independent and influential career.
Story Overview
The story begins in 1815 in Araxá, where Beja, an orphan raised by her grandfather, dreams of marrying Antônio. After her grandfather is murdered, she is abducted by the provincial governor Motta, and a lie spread by a rival leads her to believe Antônio has married another woman. Over time Beja becomes a strong and strategic figure, eventually founding an exclusive venue that hosts the region's most influential men, which draws both admiration and a campaign to destroy her reputation.
Production History
In September 2021 the production company Floresta acquired the rights to the original 1986 telenovela. António Barreira was tasked with the adaptation, working from scripts by Wilson Aguiar Filho. Renata Jhin left the project in May 2022 and was replaced by Daniel Berlinsky. Max announced the series in March 2023, and filming began in October 2023. The title was changed to Dona Beja, the courtesan's real name, while the script was kept close to the original.