Queer Culture

Behind the Scenes of ‘Secret of the River’ & Fun Facts About the Hit Series

Last Updated on by Gerry
Two boys lying down on a haystack.

The Secret of the River (El Secreto del Río) is one of Netflix’s most culturally rich series to date. Set in the stunning region of Oaxaca, Mexico, the TV show weaves Indigenous Zapotec culture, gender identity, and revolutoinary themes of friendship into a powerful and heartfelt story. With a unique focus on the muxe community, revered as a third gender within Zapotec tradition, the series provides visibility and depth to aspects of Mexican culture rarely seen on screen. The show has already captivated audiences worldwide, ranking in Netflix’s top 10 globally and claiming the number one spot in countries like Mexico, Venezuela, and Spain.

In my review of the show here, I highlighted the emotional impact of the show and its sensitive, nuanced portrayal of queerness and Indigenous heritage. Now, let’s dive deeper into some fun facts and interesting behind-the-scenes insights about the series! From the production’s dedication to authenticity and the incredible casting choices to the historical inspiration behind its characters, here’s more context to the amazing The Secret of the River series on Netflix. 

Producer and Writer Background: The show’s producer and writer, Alberto Barrera Tyszka, is Venezuelan. His main inspiration was to tell a story of friendship and its power to “superar”— to overcome. For research, he traveled to Isthmus and met with muxes to understand their lives and culture more deeply. He then brought in Mexican director Ernesto Contreras to collaborate on the story. 

Zapotec Language: Representing the Zapotec language was a priority for Barrera, to showcase a part of Mexico rarely seen in media, even though it’s such a significant part of Mexican heritage. Notably, Zapotec has no gender pronouns or articles. 

Unique Casting Choice for Manuelito: The character of Manuelito is actually played by a girl, Frida Sofia Cruz Salinas! According to the writer, “The show’s general director came up with the idea after casting and seeing many kids across Mexico. [It] helped us solve a particular challenge: we didn’t want to [place] a young boy into a more feminine role. Frida, who is a fantastic actress, could naturally bring that sensitivity to the character, and it worked out very well.”

Two boys happily riding bikes in a rural area.
Credit: Netflix

Filming in Tehuantepec: Lisa Rivas, who plays Paulina, shared that filming took place entirely in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. This authentic setting allowed her and other young actors to experience the local culture, especially the unique aspects of muxe culture. Lisa expressed how welcoming, charismatic, and warm the community was, making her experience unforgettable.

Trinidad González’s Acting Debut: El Secreto del Río marks Trinidad González’s first role as an actress. Known previously as a model for high-end brands, this role also makes her the first Mexican trans woman to lead a Netflix production. Her portrayal of Sicarú allowed her to revisit and transform personal experiences, making her role both a debut and a powerful step in her journey.

Multiple Directors: The show had three different directors—Ernesto Contreras, Alba Gil, and Alejandro Zuño—which may explain the tonal shifts throughout the series. Ernesto Contreras directed the first four and then the remaining episodes, Netflix divided the work with Alba and Alex.

A person protecting a young boy.
Credit: Netflix

La Bruja de Texcoco, who portrays Solange in “El Secreto del Río,” is a multifaceted artist known for blending traditional Mexican music with her own trans identity, challenging gender norms within a genre often steeped in masculinity. Her unique presence in this field has not only opened doors internationally, allowing her to perform in countries like Japan and France, but also brought greater visibility and pride to Mexico’s LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities through her music and now her acting.

Muxes in Mexico: Barrera was asked by Netflix to create a story about muxes, a third-gender identity in Zapotec culture. He saw it as a chance to avoid clichés and depict this identity in a nuanced way, not adhering to tragedy corn but also not overly romanticizing Tehuantepec as queer paradise. “[Muxes are] part of an ancient non-binary Zapotec tradition. So, it has a very significant antiquity, but it also has a contemporary relevance that speaks directly to today’s debates on gender, identity, and non-binary issues.” he states in this interview.

Authentic Casting and Cultural Representation: Barrera avoided stereotypical casting by working directly with people from the Tehuantepec community, including muxes Alex Orozco and Amurabi Méndez, who shared personal stories, especially from childhood, to ensure characters were realistic. 

A woman standing between curtains.
Credit: Netflix

Social Issues in Oaxaca: The series addresses critical social issues like hate crimes and human trafficking that affect muxes. While muxes have cultural acceptance, the series also depicts the violence and challenges they face, illustrating the intersection of tradition and discrimination.

Global Success: Since its October 9 release, El Secreto del Río has reached #1 in Mexico, Venezuela, Honduras, and Spain, and remains in Netflix’s top 10 globally. Barrera expressed his amazement, noting that despite industry expectations—like the absence of “big stars” or mainstream marketing—the series resonated deeply, thanks to its moving portrayal of friendship and resilience.

Sources

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