And while historical dramas aren't exactly hard to find on streaming platforms these days, from HBO's The Gilded Age, Apple TV's The Buccaneers, and Netflix's new coming-of-age series My Brilliant Career, an upcoming new series might fit the bill more than ever. On September 2, Netflix will be releasing a seven-episode series titled Lovesick (or Mal de Amores in Spanish) and it'll follow another sweeping historical romance that will be a must-watch for Outlander fans.
What Is 'Lovesick' About?
Lovesick is based on the 1996 award-winning novel by Mexican author and journalist Ángeles Mastretta, and is notably created, produced and directed by her daughter, Catalina Aguilar Mastretta. The seven-episode series follows Emilia Sauri (Renata Vaca), a young woman who is in search of a carefree life and aspires to be a doctor in a society that rarely takes women into account. Set in the early days of the Mexican Revolution, the series follows Emilia's journey to find herself in an ever-changing political environment, and how the revolution not only inspires her, but shapes who she becomes.
Another major plot point of the series is the love triangle that quickly takes place. Emilia soon finds herself torn between Daniel Cuenca (Juan Pablo Fuentes), an adventurer and revolutionary who shaped her childhood dreams, and Antonio Zavalza (Iván Amozurrutia), the doctor seeking peace amidst war. Soon, their opposing lives and views force her to choose between her feelings and her aspirations. In addition to the main trio, the cast also includes Humberto Zurita, Miguel Rodarte, Diana Bovio, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Juan Pablo Medina, Alejandro Puente and Sofía Carrera.
'Lovesick' Could Become the Perfect 'Outlander' Replacement
While the plot line of Lovesick alone doesn't exactly scream Outlander, both shows could end up being quite similar. After all, while Outlander has fantasy, time-travel elements that made it so unique and genre-bending, the series fundamentally tells a story about a relationship in a time of Jacobite politics, war, clan conflicts, and more. The historical world around Claire and Jamie was not only a setting, but shaped their story, together and apart. The same thing will be happening in Lovesick, in which the period setting isn't just aesthetic and becomes a mechanism for creating romantic obstacles and changing views.
Therefore, while Lovesick will be more of a coming-of-age story, it'll see Emilia's life unfold in a period of enormous political upheaval, so her romantic relationships are intertwined with the transformation of Mexico itself. In fact, Netflix explicitly describes the series as telling “two revolutions”: the evolution of the country and Emilia's own growth. "As Mexico awakens on the brink of a revolution that will transform its spirit forever, Emilia learns that loving is also a form of resistance," the synopsis concludes.
Ultimately, while no other show might compare to the magic that was Outlander for eight seasons, Netflix's upcoming series Lovesick, which premieres on the streaming giant on September 2, 2026, might be able to fill the gap. With two sweeping, steamy romances and a politically charged backdrop that shapes Emilia's story, for better or for worse, the series is a romance and a period piece all in one, just like Outlander expertly did.
Release Date
September 2, 2026
Network
Netflix
Cast
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Iván Amozurrutia
Antonio Zavalza
Image via Starz
English (US) ·