Marta Hazas has built one of the most recognizable bodies of work in contemporary Spanish television and film. Born in Santander, Spain, she transitioned from studying journalism and dramatic arts into a prolific career spanning high-profile period dramas, daily series, hit streaming trilogies, and comedy. Her trajectory offers a clear look at how a versatile television star maintains longevity across shifting industry landscapes.
Understanding her impact means looking beyond a simple filmography list. Her career is defined by key breakout roles in iconic series like El Internado and Velvet, alongside continuous shifts into streaming features and theatrical comedies.
Early Career and Breakthrough Television Roles
Before becoming a household name in Spain, Hazas logged substantial hours in guest spots and recurring parts across early 2000s television. Her early training at the Cristina Rota school prepared her for the fast-paced environment of daily television and weekly serials.
El Internado (The Boarding School)
Her turn in El Internado (El internado) marked a major turning point. The mystery-thriller series became a massive cultural phenomenon in Spain during the late 2000s, launching the careers of multiple young stars while giving seasoned actors like Hazas a platform to showcase intense dramatic chops. The show's mix of dark secrets, boarding school isolation, and supernatural elements helped cement her visibility among prime-time viewers.
Bandolera and Daily Drama Success
Following her success in suspenseful weekly formats, Hazas took on the lead role of Sara Reeves in the daily period drama Bandolera. Sustaining a daily series requires a grueling production schedule and immense character consistency. Her work as a British writer caught up in 19th-century bandit intrigue demonstrated her capacity to anchor long-running network blocks day after day.
Defining the Golden Era of Spanish Period Drama: Velvet
Few projects define modern Spanish television export success quite like Velvet. Set in a high-end Madrid fashion gallery in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the series combined lush costume design, romance, and workplace drama.
Hazas played Clara Montesinos, a character who evolves from a lively seamstress into an ambitious executive within the fashion house.
- Character Arc: Clara provided much of the show's comedic and grounded energy, balancing high-stakes romance with workplace progression.
- Velvet Colección: The character's popularity led to her reprising the role in the spin-off sequel series Velvet Colección, moving the setting to Barcelona and shifting the focus to opening a fashion school.
Her work on Velvet established her international profile as streaming platforms began distributing Spanish content globally. For more context on her filmography and industry data, you can check her profile on Filmaffinity.
Transition to Streaming and Contemporary Cinema
As the entertainment industry pivoted heavily toward streaming platforms and global releases, Hazas adapted smoothly, balancing television comedies with major feature film trilogies.
The Culpables (Culpa Mía) Trilogy
Hazas expanded her international reach by appearing in the adaptation of Mercedes Ron's wildly popular YA book trilogy, starting with My Fault (Culpa Mía), followed by Your Fault (Culpa Tuya), and Our Fault (Culpa Nuestra) on Prime Video. These high-engagement streaming films introduced her to a massive demographic of younger global viewers who primarily consume Spanish-language content via digital platforms.
Días Mejores (Better Days)
Demonstrating her range away from light romance and period drama, Hazas took on complex dramatic territory in the series Días Mejores. The narrative follows a group of strangers meeting in grief therapy. Her performance earned critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Leading Actress at the PRODU Awards, proving her depth in handling heavy emotional material.
Venturing into Production and Alternate Formats
Hazas hasn't limited her career strictly to acting. Alongside her husband, actor and creator Javier Veiga, she has moved into production ventures and theatrical comedy.
- Pequeñas Coincidencias (Little Coincidences): She starred in and helped shape this romantic comedy series, which explored distinct narrative structures for television.
- Stage Work: She maintains a consistent presence in Spanish theater, starring in productions like Amigos hasta la muerte (Friends Until Death), which later transitioned into film formats.
- Unconventional Hosting: She also hosted the cultural travel program Rutas bizarras on Spanish public television, blending travelogues with quirky local history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Marta Hazas best known for?
She is primarily recognized for her leading television roles in successful Spanish series such as Velvet, El Internado, and Bandolera, as well as her recent appearance in Prime Video's Culpa Mía film trilogy.
Did Marta Hazas study acting initially?
No. Before training at the Cristina Rota drama school in Madrid, she earned a degree in journalism and information science.
Has she worked in theater as well as television?
Yes. She maintains an active career on the Spanish stage, starring in plays like Amigos hasta la muerte and various classical adaptations.
Where can I watch her recent projects?
Her filmography spans major streaming platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, and various Spanish national networks depending on the specific regional distribution rights for titles like Días Mejores and the Velvet universe.
