The Netflix series Defying Destiny (also known as María La Caprichosa), produced by Caracol TV, is a dramatized portrayal of the real life of María Roa Borja. A former domestic worker, Roa rose to become a key union leader and the founder of UTRASD (Unión de Trabajadoras Afrocolombianas del Servicio Doméstico).
The series draws from Paula Moreno’s book Soñar lo Imposible (To Dream the Impossible), which chronicles the journey of Colombia’s first Afro-Colombian Minister of Culture. Moreno emphasizes that María Roa’s struggle went beyond wages—it challenged what she describes as a “modern slavery” mindset, in which domestic workers were historically denied basic labor protections such as social security and paid vacation. This story matters because, throughout history, Black women have often been pioneers whose leadership creates solutions that benefit everyone. Roa’s father, a member of a fruit company workers’ union, also advocated for fair working conditions, influencing her path. This was no fairytale: despite political upheaval and resistance, Roa’s proposed amendments—focused primarily on gender- and race-based domestic labor—ultimately reached Colombia’s legislative congress.
The show employs three actresses to portray different stages of María’s life, capturing the evolution of her resilience:
Marggy Selene Valdiris López plays María as a child and teenager, depicting the early loss of her educational dreams.
Paola González portrays young adult María as she begins navigating the complexities of the workforce.
Karent Hinestroza plays adult María, a matured figure who transforms personal hardship into a collective movement for justice.
The statistics reveal a stark reality: for decades, domestic work has been one of the primary sources of employment for Afro-descendant and displaced women in Colombia. Set in the 1990s and early 2000s, the series captures a pivotal moment when these women began demanding recognition—not as “the help,” but as professionals entitled to the same legal protections as other workers.
It is rare for a series to confront class warfare and institutional racism so openly while also becoming a top-10 hit across Latin America. In 1996, the Brazilian telenovela Xica da Silva, starring Taís Araújo, explored similar themes through a historical lens and featured a cast that was 50 percent Black. Now, nearly 30 years later, Defying Destiny arrives with a cast that is almost 80 percent Black or Afro-Colombian, showcasing an exceptionally talented and diverse group of artists.
What feels utterly exhausting—and I know I am not alone—is how often our life stories are framed through damage and struggle, even though resilience so frequently leads to triumph. At times, it seems society deliberately makes success more difficult for marginalized communities. Progress can take decades or even generations; for María Roa, it took five to six generations to overcome entrenched systemic barriers.
In an age dominated by remakes, one wonders: could we see a Black adaptation of Amazonas, the Venezuelan telenovela centered on elite horse-racing families? Could Amara La Negra (American-Dominican) be cast in roles like Rubí or Teresa, characters historically portrayed by Mexican actress Salma Hayek or, more recently, French-Mexican actress Angelique Boyer? I imagine deliberate storytelling that explores heroism, anime, Black privilege, nepotism, and futurism across platforms—from telenovelas to projects like CBS’s Beyond the Gates. I also appreciate the growing presence of British Black content on Netflix, such as Supacell, alongside the global rise of Nigerian entertainment.
Reflecting on María La Caprichosa, also known as Defying Destiny, I want to underscore the richness and diversity of Black Latinos speaking Spanish—a visibility many of us have long desired. The series reminds us that racism, classism, and other systems of oppression persist. Seeing ourselves on screen affirms our importance and relevance. I deeply value the show’s diverse cast, with its wide range of skin tones, features, and hair textures, as it reinforces that our stories matter, succeed, and resonate globally.
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