Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Time It Takes, which premiered on October 29, 2021 on Netflix and became a beautifully intimate Spanish mini-series exploring the complex journey of healing after the end of a long-term relationship.
The Time It Takes premiered exclusively on Netflix on October 29, 2021, consisting of 10 episodes with approximately 11-13 minutes each, totaling just over two hours of content. Created by Nadia de Santiago, Inés Pintor, and Pablo Santidrián, the series stars Nadia de Santiago as Lina and Álvaro Cervantes as Nico, alongside supporting cast including Cala Zavaleta, Nico Romero, and David Castillo.
This poignant Spanish romantic drama follows Lina and Nico break up after many years together, and Lina struggles to find a new life and to think about him a little less each day. The series uses an innovative structure where each episode represents different stages of the healing process, creating an authentic portrait of how we move through grief and rediscovery after losing someone we love.
The Anatomy of a Breakup: Love’s End and New Beginnings
The Time It Takes doesn’t focus on the relationship itself but rather on what comes after – the messy, painful, and ultimately transformative process of rebuilding your life after a significant relationship ends. Lina moves house, looks for a new job and tries new things in an attempt to forget her first love, creating a relatable journey for anyone who has experienced heartbreak.
The series brilliantly captures how healing isn’t linear – some days you feel strong and independent, while others you’re consumed by memories and regret. Each episode represents a different emotional state or milestone in Lina’s journey, from the immediate devastation of the breakup to tentative steps toward a new life and identity.
Lina: A Woman Reclaiming Her Individual Identity
Nadia de Santiago delivers a nuanced performance as Lina, embodying the vulnerability and strength required to navigate life after a long-term relationship ends. Her character represents every person who has had to rediscover who they are outside of a couple, facing the fear and excitement of independence.
Lina’s journey throughout the series shows her learning to be comfortable with solitude while remaining open to new experiences and connections. Santiago brings authenticity to every moment, whether Lina is crying in her new apartment or taking brave steps toward building a life that belongs entirely to her. The performance captures both the devastation of loss and the gradual emergence of self-discovery.
Nico: The Ghost of Love Past
Álvaro Cervantes plays Nico, who appears throughout the series in memories and flashbacks that show both the beauty and complexity of their relationship. His character isn’t villainized – instead, he represents the difficulty of letting go of someone who was genuinely important in your life.
Nico’s presence in the series demonstrates how ex-partners can continue to influence our thoughts and decisions long after the relationship ends. Cervantes brings warmth and authenticity to the role, making it clear why Lina struggles to move on while also showing that some relationships, no matter how meaningful, simply run their course.
When Memory Becomes Medicine: The Process of Moving Forward
The series builds to moments where Lina must choose between clinging to the past or embracing an uncertain but promising future. Each day, Lina intends that the time she spends thinking about Nico is one minute less, creating a beautiful metaphor for how healing happens gradually through conscious effort and time.
These pivotal moments show Lina learning to transform painful memories into lessons and eventually into gratitude for what the relationship taught her. The series excels at showing how moving on doesn’t mean erasing the past but rather integrating it into a fuller understanding of yourself and what you want from life.
Critical Praise for Innovative Format on Netflix
The Time It Takes was praised for its unique approach to storytelling, with critics noting how the short episode format mirrors the way we actually process breakups – in small, intense bursts of emotion and realization. The miniseries found success among international audiences who appreciated its honest portrayal of modern relationships and their aftermath.
The show’s innovation lies not just in its format but in its refusal to provide easy answers or quick fixes to heartbreak. Instead, The Time It Takes acknowledges that healing is a process that requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to grow from difficult experiences.
Perfect Bite-Sized Healing for the Heart
If you love intimate character studies and stories about personal growth, The Time It Takes is the perfect series to experience on Netflix. At just over two hours total, it’s ideal for a contemplative evening that will leave you reflecting on your own relationships and the courage it takes to start over.
Why You Should Watch: Time Really Does Heal Everything
The Time It Takes reminds us that while heartbreak feels eternal in the moment, we have more resilience and capacity for renewal than we realize. It’s a beautifully crafted series that honors both the pain of loss and the possibility of new beginnings.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 10 episodes
Platform: Netflix
Release/End Year: 2021
Current IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Short
Status: Completed
Main Characters: Nadia de Santiago (Lina), Álvaro Cervantes (Nico)
Supporting Characters: Cala Zavaleta (Inés), Nico Romero (Julio), David Castillo (Santi)