Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Eva Lasting, which has captured hearts globally with its nostalgic and heartwarming portrayal of first love set against the vibrant backdrop of 1970s Colombia.
The series premiered on February 15, 2023, with the first season consisting of 13 episodes running approximately 42 minutes each on Netflix. Created by Dago García and produced by Caracol Televisión for Netflix, Eva Lasting (originally titled “La Primera Vez” in Spanish) has been so successful that it has already been renewed for multiple seasons, with season two premiering on July 10, 2024, and season three released on June 4, 2025.
Set in 1976 in Bogotá, Colombia, complete with period fashion, vehicles, and the city’s first bowling alley, this coming-of-age romance masterfully captures the essence of teenage life in Latin America during a time of cultural transformation. With its authentic portrayal of Colombian youth culture and universal themes of first love, Eva Lasting delivers both nostalgic charm and contemporary relevance that resonates with viewers worldwide.
Eva Samper: The Revolutionary Girl Who Changes Everything
A mysterious teen girl arrives at an all-boys school in 1970s Colombia, breaking stereotypes, rules, and a few hearts. Francisca Estévez delivers a captivating performance as Eva Samper, the enigmatic teenager whose arrival at the traditional all-boys Catholic school forever changes the lives of everyone she encounters.
Eva’s character represents the spirit of female empowerment in a conservative society, challenging gender norms and social expectations with her intelligence, confidence, and fearless attitude. Throughout Eva Lasting, her journey explores themes of identity, social change, and the courage required to be different in a world that demands conformity. Estévez brings authenticity and charm to a character who must navigate the complexities of being the first female student while staying true to her revolutionary spirit.
Camilo: The Sensitive Boy Discovering Love and Identity
The story follows Camilo (Emmanuel Restrepo) and his group of friends in a public boys school whose lives are irreparably changed when Eva becomes its first female student. Emmanuel Restrepo delivers a nuanced performance as Camilo, a sensitive and thoughtful teenager who finds himself completely transformed by Eva’s presence in his previously all-male world.
Camilo’s character development throughout Eva Lasting showcases the beautiful confusion and intensity of first love, as he grapples with new emotions while trying to understand his place in a rapidly changing society. His relationship with Eva becomes a catalyst for personal growth, forcing him to question his assumptions about gender roles, relationships, and his own identity. Restrepo brings depth and vulnerability to a role that could have easily become stereotypical, making Camilo both relatable and inspiring.
The Cultural Revolution of 1970s Colombia That Shapes Everything
Set at a 1976 Bogotá against the background of Colombia’s rampant modernization, Eva Lasting uses its historical setting to explore broader themes of social change and generational conflict. The series captures the tension between traditional Colombian values and the progressive movements of the 1970s, showing how young people became agents of cultural transformation.
The period setting adds layers of authenticity to the romance, as Eva and Camilo’s relationship unfolds against the backdrop of a society in transition. Eva Lasting excels at showing how personal relationships can become political acts, with Eva’s mere presence at the school representing a challenge to established power structures and gender norms that resonates far beyond the school walls.
That Enrich the Colombian Tapestry
It also benefits from the support of Colombian film and television veterans such as Veronica Orozco, Santiago Alarcon and Adriana Arango. The supporting cast creates a rich ensemble that represents different aspects of Colombian society, from progressive teachers who support Eva’s integration to conservative students and parents who resist change.
The friend group dynamics, family relationships, and teacher-student interactions all contribute to the authentic portrayal of teenage life in 1970s Colombia. Each supporting character brings their own perspective on the social changes happening around them, creating a complex social fabric that makes Eva Lasting feel like a genuine snapshot of a transformative moment in Colombian history.
Netflix’s Colombian Success Story
Eva Lasting has achieved remarkable success on Netflix, becoming one of the platform’s most popular Colombian productions and earning critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Latin American youth culture. The series has been praised for its period accuracy, strong performances from its young cast, and its sensitive handling of themes related to gender equality and social change. Season one of Eva Lasting has 13 episodes of fun, rage, teenagehood, love, and heartbreak, with each episode building emotional depth while maintaining the nostalgic charm that has made the series so beloved. The show’s success has helped establish Netflix as a platform for high-quality Latin American content, with Eva Lasting serving as a showcase for Colombian storytelling talent.
The Perfect Nostalgic Romance for Every Generation
If you love heartwarming coming-of-age stories with authentic cultural depth, Eva Lasting is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a show that understands the universal experience of first love while celebrating the unique beauty of Colombian culture and history.
Why This Colombian Gem Deserves Global Recognition
Eva Lasting succeeds because it combines the universal appeal of teenage romance with distinctly Colombian cultural perspectives, creating a story that feels both deeply specific and emotionally universal, proving that great storytelling transcends borders.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 33 episodes across 3 seasons (13 in Season 1, additional episodes in Seasons 2 and 3)
Platform: Netflix
Release Years: 2023-2025
Current IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Period Drama
Status: Three seasons completed
Main Cast: Francisca Estévez (Eva Samper), Emmanuel Restrepo (Camilo)
Antagonist: Conservative social norms and gender-based institutional barriers