Marcella Rica on Directing HBO Max’s “Dona Beja” Opening – São Paulo

São Paulo – Actress and director Marcella Rica, 34, completed a reimagining of the opening sequence for the HBO Max series “Dona Beja” in just over a week, according to a report published Friday by Folha de S.Paulo.

Rica, who recently launched her own production company, described the opportunity to create the visual introduction to the series as a “dream come true,” the report stated. “Dona Beja” premiered on HBO Max earlier this month.

The series, originally a popular Brazilian telenovela from the 1980s, has been updated for a contemporary audience. The new adaptation, titled “Madam Beja” internationally, follows the story of Ana Jacinta de São José, a 19th-century woman who opens a brothel after experiencing societal shaming, according to information from IMDb.

The 40-episode drama stars Grazi Massafera in the title role, alongside Bianca Bin, Thalma de Freitas, and Catharina Caiado. The series explores themes of defiance and female empowerment within a period setting, and has been positioned by Brit + Co as appealing to fans of “Bridgerton.”

The show’s plot centers on a woman’s retaliation against societal norms after being assaulted and shamed. IMDb ratings currently stand at 5.1/10, with 155 user reviews.

Rica’s involvement focused specifically on the “vinheta,” or opening sequence, of the series, a short visual introduction intended to set the tone and introduce the narrative. The Folha de S.Paulo report indicates the rapid turnaround time for this creative contribution.