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If you’ve never watched a Portuguese series before, 2025 is the perfect year to start! 🇵🇹
In the last few years, Portugal’s television industry has transformed dramatically, offering rich storytelling, stunning cinematography, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re into thrillers, romance, or historical drama, the Best 10 Modern Portuguese Series on this list will absolutely keep you hooked from the first episode to the last.
Let’s dive into the Top Portuguese TV Shows 2025 that have captured audiences across Europe and beyond. You’ll discover why these titles are considered the Best Portuguese Drama Series and why Portugal’s creative voice is now making waves globally 🎞📺
🎥 1️⃣ Glória (Netflix)
📅 Year: 2021
🎭 Genre: Political Drama / Spy Thriller
🎬 Director: Tiago Guedes
👥 Cast: Miguel Nunes, Stephanie Vogt, Matt Rippy
⭐ Rating: 8.5 / 10
Synopsis:
Glória is the first Portuguese Netflix Original, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Set during the Cold War, it follows João Vidal, a young Portuguese engineer secretly working as a double agent in the small village of Glória do Ribatejo. The plot unfolds with tension, betrayal, and political intrigue.
If you enjoy shows like The Americans or Berlin Station, you’ll love Glória. It stands tall as one of the Best Modern Portuguese Series, blending historical accuracy with gripping suspense.
Why watch it?
Because it’s not just a story—it’s an experience that showcases Portugal’s cinematic rise on a global scale 🎬🤩
🎥 2️⃣ Pôr do Sol (RTP Play)
📅 Year: 2022
🎭 Genre: Comedy / Satirical Drama
🎬 Director: Manuel Pureza
👥 Cast: Gabriela Barros, Diogo Amaral, Marco Delgado
⭐ Rating: 8.7 / 10
Synopsis:
Think of Pôr do Sol as Portugal’s answer to Modern Family—but with more chaos and charm. This parody series hilariously mocks the clichés of telenovelas while keeping you surprisingly invested in the characters’ fates.
With its clever writing and witty humor, it’s no surprise this gem has become one of the Most Popular Portuguese Series.
Why watch it?
Because laughter never goes out of style—and Pôr do Sol delivers it with brilliance and a Portuguese twist 😄🎞
🎥 3️⃣ O Clube (Opto / SIC)
📅 Year: 2023
🎭 Genre: Drama / Crime
🎬 Director: Patrícia Sequeira
👥 Cast: Margarida Vila-Nova, Filipa Areosa, José Mata
⭐ Rating: 8.6 / 10
Synopsis:
Behind the glamorous lights of Lisbon’s elite nightlife lies a web of secrets, manipulation, and crime. O Clube delves deep into power struggles and dark ambitions.
With its complex storytelling and intense atmosphere, it’s undoubtedly one of the Best Portuguese Drama Series in recent years.
Why watch it?
Because every episode keeps you on edge, guessing who’s truly in control 🤯📽
🎥 4️⃣ Turn of the Tide (Rabo de Peixe) – Netflix
📅 Year: 2023
🎭 Genre: Crime / Thriller
🎬 Director: Augusto Fraga
👥 Cast: José Condessa, Helena Caldeira, Rodrigo Tomás
⭐ Rating: 8.1 / 10
Synopsis:
Inspired by true events, this hit show tells the story of a fisherman’s son whose life changes after he discovers tons of cocaine washed ashore in the Azores Islands. What follows is a gripping journey into greed, friendship, and survival.
Turn of the Tide represents the raw and emotional side of Portuguese storytelling, solidifying its place among the Best 10 Modern Portuguese Series of all time.
Why watch it?
Because it’s real, gritty, and beautifully shot against breathtaking island landscapes 🌊🎬
🎥 5️⃣ Causa Própria (RTP Play)
📅 Year: 2022
🎭 Genre: Legal Drama / Mystery
🎬 Director: João Nuno Pinto
👥 Cast: Margarida Vila-Nova, Nuno Lopes, Ivo Canelas
⭐ Rating: 8.0 / 10
Synopsis:
In this riveting legal drama, a young judge faces moral and professional dilemmas when a small-town murder reveals layers of corruption and hypocrisy.
It’s one of the Top Portuguese TV Shows 2025 for fans of courtroom tension and deep psychological storytelling.
Why watch it?
Because it challenges your sense of justice while delivering one of the strongest performances in Portuguese TV 🎭📺
🎥 6️⃣ Operação Maré Negra (Amazon Prime)
📅 Year: 2023
🎭 Genre: Action / Crime
🎬 Director: Daniel Calparsoro
👥 Cast: Jorge Lopez, Luís Esparteiro, David Trejos
⭐ Rating: 7.9 / 10
Synopsis:
Based on real events, this series follows a young Portuguese man piloting a homemade submarine filled with drugs across the Atlantic.
Tense, raw, and visually cinematic—Operação Maré Negra is among the Best Modern Portuguese Series for those who love true-crime storytelling.
Why watch it?
Because it’s proof that Portuguese action dramas can match Hollywood’s intensity 🚤🔥
🎥 7️⃣ Matilha (RTP Play)
📅 Year: 2024
🎭 Genre: Drama / Social Realism
🎬 Director: Tiago Guedes
👥 Cast: Albano Jerónimo, Maria João Bastos, Adriano Luz
⭐ Rating: 7.8 / 10
Synopsis:
Matilha (The Pack) portrays the lives of young people from Lisbon’s outskirts as they struggle with poverty, loyalty, and crime.
The emotional performances and gritty realism make it one of the Best Portuguese Drama Series of 2024.
Why watch it?
Because it shows the soul of modern Portugal—the struggle, the dreams, and the hope ✊🎬
🎥 8️⃣ Vitória (TVI)
📅 Year: 2025
🎭 Genre: Romantic Drama
🎬 Director: António Borges Correia
👥 Cast: Inês Herédia, Rodrigo Paganelli, Débora Monteiro
⭐ Rating: 7.7 / 10
Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of two rival families, Vitória explores love, betrayal, and ambition.
Its emotional narrative and stellar cast make it one of the Most Popular Portuguese Series airing in 2025.
Why watch it?
Because it’s a mix of passion and elegance wrapped in a beautiful Portuguese setting 💕🎞
🎥 9️⃣ Codex 632 (RTP)
📅 Year: 2024
🎭 Genre: Adventure / Historical Mystery
🎬 Director: Luís Filipe Rocha
👥 Cast: Paulo Pires, Ana Sofia Martins
⭐ Rating: 7.6 / 10
Synopsis:
When a historian uncovers a hidden code that could change the course of Portuguese history, an extraordinary journey begins.
Codex 632 is an intelligent thriller that combines mystery, culture, and history—making it one of the Top Portuguese TV Shows 2025.
Why watch it?
Because it’s both educational and thrilling—like The Da Vinci Code with a Portuguese soul 📚🎬
🎥 🔟 Senhora do Mar (SIC)
📅 Year: 2024
🎭 Genre: Romantic Drama
🎬 Director: Jorge Paixão da Costa
👥 Cast: Joana Ribeiro, Albano Jerónimo
⭐ Rating: 7.5 / 10
Synopsis:
This emotional series follows a woman who defies social expectations to find love and freedom in a coastal Portuguese town.
It’s poetic, heartfelt, and visually breathtaking—one of the Best Modern Portuguese Series to close our list.
Why watch it?
Because it feels like reading a love letter written by the ocean 🌊❤️
🌟 Why Portuguese Series Deserve Your Attention
Portuguese TV has evolved into a storytelling powerhouse. With authentic characters, breathtaking locations, and cinematic direction, the Best 10 Modern Portuguese Series listed here prove that global television has found a new creative home in Portugal 🇵🇹✨
Whether you love thrillers, comedies, or romantic sagas, these Top Portuguese TV Shows 2025 showcase the best of European creativity, blending emotion, intelligence, and authenticity.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🎬 What is the Best Modern Portuguese Series on Netflix?
Without a doubt, Glória stands as the Best Modern Portuguese Series for its storytelling depth and political tension.
📺 Are Portuguese series available with English subtitles?
Yes! Most of the Best Portuguese Drama Series on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and RTP Play include English and Spanish subtitles.
🎞 Are these shows similar to Spanish or Italian dramas?
They share emotional intensity, but Portuguese series have a slower, more reflective rhythm—perfect for deep storytelling.
🎥 Which Portuguese series should I start with as a beginner?
Try Turn of the Tide (Rabo de Peixe)—it’s fast-paced, exciting, and easy to follow for newcomers to Portuguese TV.
🏁 Conclusion
From spy thrillers like Glória to heartfelt romances like Senhora do Mar, Portugal has proven that it can compete with the world’s best. Each of these titles stands out as one of the Best 10 Modern Portuguese Series, offering a mix of beauty, emotion, and cinematic brilliance.
So, grab your popcorn 🍿, dim the lights 🎬, and dive into the Top Portuguese TV Shows 2025 that everyone’s talking about. You’ll quickly understand why these are the Most Popular Portuguese Series and why Portugal’s screen magic is here to stay 🤩📽🎞
