Julia Pastrana's Life Story Becomes TV Series on Disney+

A new television series is set to bring the extraordinary and tragic story of Julia Pastrana to the screen, aiming to portray her not as a sideshow curiosity but as a complex, contradictory human being. Dubbed "the ape woman" or "baboon lady" in the 19th century due to the extensive hair covering her body, Pastrana's life was marked by exploitation, yet she also found a platform through her performances.

Directed by Rafa Lara, the production for Disney+ seeks to avoid romanticizing Pastrana's life, focusing instead on her humanity. "Without spoiling, but you will see a human, contradictory character, not Manichean, and in that sense, I think people will recognize someone who went through tough things," Lara stated. Pastrana possessed a notable singing voice and performed on Broadway, but her physical appearance was primarily leveraged by entrepreneurs for profit, turning her into an attraction across Mexico, the U.S., and Europe, even after her death.

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Without spoiling, but you will see a human, contradictory character, not Manichean, and in that sense, I think people will recognize someone who went through tough things.

Her body was mummified alongside her infant, continuing her posthumous exhibition. The series, tentatively titled "The Incredible Story of Julia Pastrana," was filmed in Spain and features an international cast including Eduardo Noriega, Cristo Fernández, and Damián Alcázar. The official synopsis highlights Pastrana's journey from being displayed as a rarity to using the attention her appearance garnered to make her voice heard and ultimately win over the world.

"It is the story of an artist who knew how to find her place in the world and her freedom in art on stage," reads the official statement. The production involved extensive daily makeup for actress Fátima Molina, who portrays Pastrana and also performs her songs. After remaining in Norway for decades, Pastrana's remains were repatriated to her native Sinaloa, Mexico, nearly a decade ago, concluding a long chapter of international exhibition and exploitation.

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It is the story of an artist who knew how to find her place in the world and her freedom in art on stage.