“Truly excellent”: this little-known Portuguese Netflix series, rated 4 out of 5, is the spy thriller of the year.
If you’re looking for a Netflix series series off the beaten track, far from the usual American productions, there’s a Portuguese nugget that deserves your full attention. Rated 4/5 on Allociné, this historical espionage drama has won over those who have watched it, yet few subscribers know about it yet.
Glória, Netflix’s first original Portuguese drama
The platform’s catalog is packed with American, Turkish and Korean K-dramas. However, productions made in Portugal are extremely rare. Netflix has only produced two Portuguese dramas to date.
The best known is Forbidden Fishing, released in 2023, whose first season was an immediate worldwide success. Such was its success that it was immediately renewed for two more seasons, and the third and final season is now available on the platform.
But in 2021, Netflix had already launched into Portuguese fiction with Glória. This series went somewhat unnoticed, despite its undeniable qualities.
A historical drama set against the backdrop of the Cold War
Glória is a historical drama and spy thriller. The action takes place in Portugal in the 1960s, under the Salazar dictatorship, in the midst of the Cold War.
The main character is João Vidal. Engineer and son of a Portuguese dignitary, he is recruited by the KGB to infiltrate – and sabotage – an American base in his country.
This base, called Radio Free Europe, or RARET, is located in the small Portuguese village of Glória do Ribatejo. It was used to broadcast American propaganda to Eastern Bloc countries, with the aim of taking strategic control of Europe.
Fiction inspired by real events
While all the characters in Glória are fictional, the starting point is real. The installation of a U.S.-linked transmission base in the village of Glória do Ribatejo is real, as is the political context surrounding it.
The series skilfully blends historical reconstruction and suspense. The viewer follows João Vidal as he is thrust into a dangerous game of espionage, caught between two world powers fighting a secret war.
What’s more, the meticulous sets and the atmosphere of 1960s Portugal give the series a visual depth that is rare for a production of this scale.
“Between infiltration, communism, KGB and dictatorship, all the elements are brought together to make this a captivating series. Highly recommend.”
This comment from Allociné sums up how most viewers feel after watching Glória. The series manages to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, with no downtime.
What viewers are saying
On Allociné, the reviews are numerous and positive. Subscribers who have taken the time to watch this original production from the platform with the red logo are full of praise.
For example, some write: “I devoured the series in one day. Whether it’s the script, the shots, the sets, the scenery or the actors, this series is worth the detour.” Others praised the “well-crafted script” and called it a “real success”.
- Rated 4/5 on Allociné by numerous viewers
- A real historical context: the RARET base at Glória do Ribatejo did exist
- A plot centered on the Cold War in Portugal under the Salazar dictatorship
- The character of João Vidal, an engineer recruited by the KGB to sabotage the American base.
- Netflix to launch first Portuguese original production in 2021
Why this series deserves to be (re)discovered in 2026
To this day, Glória remains a little-known Netflix series. Yet those who have seen it enthusiastically recommend it. “Coup de cœur! For fans of spy fiction, you’re in for a treat”, reads the specialized site.
On the other hand, fans of fast-paced action series and spectacular twists won’t be disappointed either. “Betrayals, murders, suicides and plot twists – nothing is left out to captivate us, in addition to an excellent cast and ultra-polished sets”, sums up another viewer on Allociné.
So, if you’re looking for a quality, original and well-researched show, Glória ticks all the boxes. This Portuguese historical production proves that the platform also knows how to capitalize on less mainstream, but just as captivating, stories.
So if you’re fascinated by espionage, the Cold War and the political tensions of the 1960s, this Netflix series is for you. It’s one of those rare programs that you can watch in one sitting, and never look back. As one Internet user put it with beautiful simplicity: “Frankly, it’s excellent.”
