A compelling drama series built around distinctive characters, escalating conflicts, and a premise designed to keep viewers invested.
2026
Drama, Romance
6 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.0
8.0 / 10
Overview
The Map of Longing transforms a story of grief into one person's journey of finding herself again. The series opens with Greta struggling after her sister Lucy dies, whose illness had shaped so much of Greta's life. Lucy's last gift leaves her with something unexpected to pursue: a game full of challenges designed to help her truly live life instead of staying stuck in her loss. On this path, Greta meets Will, and his own difficult past brings another dimension to their relationship. This six-part Spanish Netflix series blends romance with themes of grief, family, guilt, identity, and healing. Adapted from Alice Kellen's novel, the show follows Greta's journey to explore what happens when a person must build a new identity after losing the one who once defined their world.
Quick Verdict
The Map of Longing works well for people who enjoy emotional romantic dramas that focus on character growth instead of action or suspense. What sets it apart most is how Lucy's game after her death becomes the framework for Greta's path through grief and finding herself. The limited-series format also means it is easy to watch in just six episodes.
The Map of Longing (El mapa de los anhelos) is a 2026 Spanish romantic drama limited series, adapted from Alice Kellen’s bestselling novel. The story centers on Greta, a young woman whose life has been shaped by the long battle her older sister Lucy fought against leukemia. After Lucy passes away, Greta struggles with grief and a painful feeling that she no longer has a purpose. Before she died, Lucy created a personal game called the “Map of Longing,” meant to guide Greta toward experiences, choices, and parts of herself she had ignored.
Greta’s journey leads her to meet Will Tucker, a mysterious young man who carries difficult experiences of his own. Their relationship slowly becomes a key part of Greta’s effort to make sense of loss, identity, love, and what she wants from life. The six-episode Netflix miniseries was directed by Laura M. Campos and Gemma Ferraté, with Isa Sánchez writing the TV adaptation of the novel. Alícia Falcó stars as Greta, joined by Pablo Álvarez as Will and Georgina Amorós as Lucy. The series premiered worldwide on Netflix on July 17, 2026, with all six episodes released at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Map of Longing about?
Greta (Alícia Falcó) is given a board game created by her recently deceased sister by Will Tucker (Pablo Álvarez). He is to make sure Greta completes each step in the game in Spanish-language adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alice Kellen.
Who created, wrote, or directed The Map of Longing?
The series is created by her recently deceased sister by Will Tucker (Pablo Álvarez)
Where can I watch The Map of Longing?
The series is available exclusively on Netflix as a six-episode limited series.
Is The Map of Longing a romance?
Yes. It is classified as both Romance and Drama. The relationship between Greta and Will develops alongside the show's larger story about grief, identity and healing.
Story — Spoiler Free
After her sister Lucy dies, Greta finds it hard to figure out what her life means now that the person she built so much of her world around is gone. Lucy leaves behind a strange game full of personal tests, and Greta says yes to following the clues. Along the way she meets Will, a cautious young man who has a link to Lucy, and slowly the journey pulls Greta out of the life she used to know. As the game goes on, Greta has to face her sadness, her family ties and her beliefs about love, all while working out what she truly wants for herself.
8.0
TheNextHint Score
8.0 / 10
The Map of Longing works well for people who enjoy emotional romantic dramas that focus on character growth instead of action or suspense. What sets it apart most is how Lucy's game after her death becomes the framework for Greta's path through grief and finding herself. The limited-series format also means it is easy to watch in just six episodes.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
8.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
8.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The series benefits from strong central performances, an emotionally focused story, believable chemistry between Greta and Will, and a six-episode structure that keeps the narrative relatively compact.
Cons
Some secondary characters receive less development than the central relationship, and viewers looking for a fast-moving plot may find its grief and self-discovery themes deliberately slow and emotional.
The central character whose life changes after Lucy's death.
Pablo Álvarez
as
Will Tucker
The mysterious young man who becomes involved in Lucy's game and Greta's journey.
Georgina Amorós
as
Lucy
Greta's late older sister, whose final game sets the story in motion.
Laia Marull
as
Rosi
Mario de la Rosa
as
Jacobo
Ramón Barea
as
Enrique
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
6 episodes July 17, 2026Completed
Greta is forced to reconsider her purpose after Lucy's death. A game left behind by her sister sends her on a journey of new experiences and introduces her to Will, gradually helping her confront grief and imagine a future of her own.
1Lucy's Game
50 min July 17, 2026
Greta meets Will, who brings her the game Lucy left behind, but playing requires her to trust him.
2I Raise
45 min July 17, 2026
Greta and Will begin a trip abroad, where an unexpected storm leaves them sharing a hotel room.
3Roll Again
45 min July 17, 2026
Will pauses the game while dealing with his feelings, while Greta reconnects with her father and supports her mother.
4All In
35 min July 17, 2026
Will reveals more about his troubled past and explains why Lucy selected him to help Greta.
5You Sunk My Battleship
45 min July 17, 2026
Greta steps away from the game after Will's confession and begins thinking about a future on her own terms.
6Go Back to Start
53 min July 17, 2026
Lucy's final letters leave Greta facing an uncertain future with Will while encouraging her to embrace life.
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