Roque Santeiro: Review, Story, Cast, Episodes, Release Date, Budget & More

Roque Santeiro

Roque Santeiro is a groundbreaking Brazilian telenovela that aired on TV Globo from June 1985 to June 1986, becoming one of the most iconic and beloved productions in Brazilian television history. Created by the legendary Dias Gomes, this 209-episode series was actually banned in 1975 after just three completed episodes due to its bold criticism of religious hypocrisy and political corruption during Brazil’s military dictatorship. A decade later, with democracy restored, the show was completely refilmed with a new cast and finally reached audiences, who embraced it enthusiastically. Starring Lima Duarte, Regina Duarte, and José Wilker in unforgettable roles, Roque Santeiro is set in the fictional town of Asa Branca, where myths, corruption, and forbidden love intertwine. The show shattered ratings records and introduced sharp social satire to primetime television, leaving an indelible mark on Brazilian popular culture with memorable characters and quotable dialogue that remains referenced today.

Roque Santeiro: Release Date, Story, Plot, Episodes, Cast, Actors Salary, Actors Net Worth, Budget, OTT Response, Trailer, Songs, Awards, Review, Ratings & More

InfoRoque Santeiro
GenreRomance
Drama
Thriller
LanguagePortuguese
Directed byPaulo Ubiratan
Star CastRegina Duarte
Lima Duarte
Yoná Magalhães
Fábio Júnior
José Wilker
ComposerMoraes Moreira
CountryBrazil
Original networkTV Globo
Original release24 June 1985 –21 February 1986
Running time75 minutes

Roque Santeiro Storyline

Roque Santeiro unfolds in Asa Branca, a small town whose entire economy revolves around the legend of Roque Santeiro, a local hero supposedly killed while defending the community from bandits years earlier. The town thrives on religious tourism centered around this martyred saint, with the cunning widow Porcina controlling the lucrative saint worship industry alongside corrupt politicians and church officials. Everything changes when Roque himself suddenly returns alive, having faked his death to escape dangerous enemies. His reappearance threatens to destroy the profitable myth that sustains the town’s power structure and economy. Complicating matters further, Roque discovers his former love Porcina has built an empire on his fake death and is now involved with the manipulative mayor Florindo. As Roque navigates this web of lies, greed, and conflicting loyalties, he must decide whether to expose the truth or play along with the elaborate charade that has transformed him into a profitable legend.

Roque Santeiro Cast, Crew, Role, Salary, Remuneration & Net Worth

Here are the complete details of actors and actresses names in the Web Series.

1.Regina Duarte as Viúva Porcina (Porcina da Silva)

Regina Duarte as Viúva Porcina (Porcina da Silva)
InfoViúva Porcina (Porcina da Silva)
Real NameRegina Duarte
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

2.Lima Duarte as Sinhozinho Malta (Francisco Teixeira Malta)

Lima Duarte as Sinhozinho Malta (Francisco Teixeira Malta)
InfoSinhozinho Malta (Francisco Teixeira Malta)
Real NameLima Duarte
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

3.José Wilker as Roque Santeiro (Luís Roque Duarte)

José Wilker as Roque Santeiro (Luís Roque Duarte)
InfoRoque Santeiro (Luís Roque Duarte)
Real NameJosé Wilker
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net Worth$100,000 – $1 million

4.Ary Fontoura as Prefeito Florindo Abelha

Ary Fontoura as Prefeito Florindo Abelha
InfoPrefeito Florindo Abelha
Real NameAry Fontoura
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

5.Eloísa Mafalda as Dona Pombinha (Ambrosina Abelha)

Eloísa Mafalda as Dona Pombinha (Ambrosina Abelha)
InfoDona Pombinha (Ambrosina Abelha)
Real NameEloísa Mafalda
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

6.Yoná Magalhães as Matilde

Yoná Magalhães as Matilde
InfoMatilde
Real NameYoná Magalhães
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

7.Armando Bógus as Zé das Medalhas (José Ribamar de Aragão)

Armando Bógus as Zé das Medalhas (José Ribamar de Aragão)
InfoZé das Medalhas (José Ribamar de Aragão)
Real NameArmando Bógus
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

8.Lídia Brondi as Tânia Magalhães Malta

Lídia Brondi as Tânia Magalhães Malta
InfoTânia Magalhães Malta
Real NameLídia Brondi
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

9.Fábio Júnior as Roberto Mathias

Fábio Júnior as Roberto Mathias
InfoRoberto Mathias
Real NameFábio Júnior
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

10.Paulo Gracindo as Padre Hipólito

Paulo Gracindo as Padre Hipólito
InfoPadre Hipólito
Real NamePaulo Gracindo
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

Roque Santeiro Web Series Awards

AwardsCategoryRecipients
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Roque Santeiro Review

Roque Santeiro remains a masterpiece of Brazilian television, brilliantly combining biting social commentary with engaging entertainment. Dias Gomes crafted a satirical narrative that fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy of using religion for profit, the corruption embedded in small-town politics, and the human capacity for self-deception when financial interests are at stake. The performances are exceptional across the board, with Lima Duarte bringing depth to the conflicted title character and Regina Duarte creating an unforgettable antiheroine in the ambitious Porcina. José Wilker’s portrayal of the scheming Sinhôzinho Malta became legendary, embodying Brazilian political corruption with dark humor. The show’s genius lies in making audiences sympathize with morally compromised characters while never excusing their actions. The writing sparkles with wit, memorable dialogue, and complex character dynamics that feel remarkably modern despite the show’s 1980s setting. Roque Santeiro proved that telenovelas could be both commercially successful and intellectually substantive, influencing generations of Brazilian writers and cementing its place as essential viewing for understanding Brazilian culture and television history.

Disclaimer: The Data is collected from various sources and some from our own research. These data can be estimated and Primes World does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data.