Erotas
Encyclopedia
Erotas is a critically acclaimed and popular Greek television soap opera
revolving around the private lives of wealthy Athenian families, that aired on the ANT1
network from September 8, 2005 until May 30, 2008 in Greece and Australia.
The series will continue for a final prequel
season, placed before the timeline of the first three seasons on another network in the 2009-2010 television season. This will see the return of many of the original cast members from the first season, and the departure of many newcomers, except for favourite Nadia, who is somehow being written into the flashback storylines. Antigoni, will not be returning, the writers thought it was time to give her character a rest, however she is expected to guest star at some point.
The final five episodes of the series were the highest rating episodes of the series in its history, with over 4,250,000 watching, on average, in Greece. The series was also aired in Cyprus
, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
Many critics commented that many of its plotlines were based loosely on those of The Bold and the Beautiful
, however the pace of these storylines was much faster in Erotas than B&B.
The plot itself surrounded the disappearance of Antigoni Douka
and the trouble she caused for those around her when she was returned to her family by Vera Douka, committing many crimes, as a result of psychological damage from seeing her father abuse her mother when she was aged four. It also surrounded the highs and lows of Myrto Anagnostou's, Stefanos Doukas
's and Ektoras Anagnostou's entended family of children, ex-husbands/wives/girlfriends, long lost friends and other relatives. Their storylines often revolved around topics such as murder, kidnapping, espionage, and fraud and rarely around the central theme of love directly. Many critics commented that the characters were always unhappy and have all entered jail at some point, except the protagonist Myrto Anagnostou. The writers integrated themes of love and passion and dialogue these themes through the trials, tribulations and daily lives of their main characters.
when the writers led the fans to believe that she was dead. The writers admitted in early 2008 that were unsure themselves at the time whether or not the character would survive
, and therefore "unintentionally" left viewers hanging in the balance while they made their decision. They eventually concluded that the character would have died, however she was not killed due to negative audience reaction expected, similar to that after the death
of character Vera Douka
in late 2006. Koralia Karanti
renewed her contract until the end of the series, on August 25, 2007 and remained on the show for the entire series, appearing in every episode.
It was the highest rating television show in Greece after the cancellation of Vera Sto Dexi
. Almost immediately after beginning, the show has proven quite popular, beating all other shows in its timeslot except Vera Sto Dexi
, until its end in May, 2007. The show suffered a significant drop in ratings of 15% after Noni Ιoannidou's character Vera left the show in November 2006; the writers have now admitted that they regretting killing her character, as they knew Vera was one of the most popular characters, but did not predict this sharp decline in ratings, however by the end of the second season the ratings had significantly recovered. However, in 2008, the show was cancelled on the ANT1
network, due to low ratings, opposite Mega Channel's UGLY MARIA.
Pacific network in Australia, where it has a huge fanbase, broadcast at 7pm, on the ANT1
network, in synchronisation with Greece.
It is also seen in over 15 other countries, including across Canada via the Odyssey Network and the United States via ANT1
Satellite network. Replacing reruns of Lampsi and Kalimera Zoi, the show has attracted quite a lot of fans outside Greece as it is aired at the 7 p.m. timeslot (like in Greece).
Central character Aphrodite's husband was also killed along with Hector's secretary, along with various other minor characters that were killed only weeks after being introduced. The writers have promised to lower the amount of death on the show next season, as in only 2 seasons of the show over 15 characters have died, this is more than Lost
in its first two seasons. Furthermore, at the start of the third season, many new characters were introduced and roles of current characters re-cast. Many fans feel that they are not watching the same show anymore as hardly any original cast members remain after only two completed seasons.
Additionally, fans were disappointed that the storyline involving Angelle's death was told by the actor before the end of the second season. This ultimately spoiled the cliffhanger.
network begin to run Erotas episodes in syndication in a late-night timeslot from the fall of 2008.
A greatest moments of the series special is planned, if it is not picked up by the MEGA network.
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
revolving around the private lives of wealthy Athenian families, that aired on the ANT1
ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
network from September 8, 2005 until May 30, 2008 in Greece and Australia.
The series will continue for a final prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
season, placed before the timeline of the first three seasons on another network in the 2009-2010 television season. This will see the return of many of the original cast members from the first season, and the departure of many newcomers, except for favourite Nadia, who is somehow being written into the flashback storylines. Antigoni, will not be returning, the writers thought it was time to give her character a rest, however she is expected to guest star at some point.
The final five episodes of the series were the highest rating episodes of the series in its history, with over 4,250,000 watching, on average, in Greece. The series was also aired in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
Many critics commented that many of its plotlines were based loosely on those of The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
, however the pace of these storylines was much faster in Erotas than B&B.
The plot itself surrounded the disappearance of Antigoni Douka
Antigoni Douka
Antigoni Douka is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Adamantia Kontogiorgi.-Characterization:...
and the trouble she caused for those around her when she was returned to her family by Vera Douka, committing many crimes, as a result of psychological damage from seeing her father abuse her mother when she was aged four. It also surrounded the highs and lows of Myrto Anagnostou's, Stefanos Doukas
Stefanos Doukas
Stefanos Doukas is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Stefanos Kiriakidis. He is the anti-hero of the series....
's and Ektoras Anagnostou's entended family of children, ex-husbands/wives/girlfriends, long lost friends and other relatives. Their storylines often revolved around topics such as murder, kidnapping, espionage, and fraud and rarely around the central theme of love directly. Many critics commented that the characters were always unhappy and have all entered jail at some point, except the protagonist Myrto Anagnostou. The writers integrated themes of love and passion and dialogue these themes through the trials, tribulations and daily lives of their main characters.
Controversy
Uproar among fans arose in early 2007, during the storyline of Mirto's kidnappingKidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
when the writers led the fans to believe that she was dead. The writers admitted in early 2008 that were unsure themselves at the time whether or not the character would survive
Survive
Survive is the verb form of survival, and may also refer to:*Survive *Survive , or the title song*Survive *Survive , or the title song*"Survive"...
, and therefore "unintentionally" left viewers hanging in the balance while they made their decision. They eventually concluded that the character would have died, however she was not killed due to negative audience reaction expected, similar to that after the death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
of character Vera Douka
Vera Douka
Vera Douka is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Noni Ιoannidou. Vera Douka is one of the show's leading characters.-Season 1:...
in late 2006. Koralia Karanti
Koralia Karanti
Koralia Karanti is a Greek actress, best known for playing the protagonist of the Greek television series, Erotas, Myrtle Anagnostou despite her earlier film, stage and television career.-Personal life:...
renewed her contract until the end of the series, on August 25, 2007 and remained on the show for the entire series, appearing in every episode.
Ratings
| Season | Timeslot (EDT) | Season Premiere | Season Finale | TV Season | Rank | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Erotas (season 1) This article contains a summary of the first season of the Greek television soap opera Erotas.-Background:We are introduced to the upper class society of Athens, they have all the money that they could possibly want. But their personal dilemmas far outweigh their wealth... |
Monday-Friday 7.00 P.M. | September 8, 2005 | June 24, 2006 | 2005–2006 | #2 | 4.0 |
| 2 Erotas (season 2) This article contains a summary of the second season of the Greek television soap opera Erotas.-Background and criticism:This series picks up months after the fatal bombing at Martha's farewell party, at the end of Season 1. This season introduces many new characters, and has been criticised for... |
Monday-Friday 7.00 P.M. | September 17, 2006 | July 13, 2007 | 2006–2007 | #10 | 3.2 |
| 3 Erotas (season 3) This article contains a summary of the third and final season of the Greek soap opera television series Erotas.-Background:The third season begins where the second season left off, Aphrodite Aperyi and Angelo board Myrto's cruise for her 50th birthday. Everyone enjoys the cruise, and Myrto's... |
Monday-Friday 7.00 P.M. | September 3, 2007 | May 30, 2008 | 2007–2008 | #1 | 4.5 |
It was the highest rating television show in Greece after the cancellation of Vera Sto Dexi
Vera Sto Dexi
Vera sto Dexi is a Greek television soap opera. Created by Helena Akrita and Yiorgos Kiritsis, Vera sto Dexi combines elements of drama, mystery, adventure and occasionally comedy...
. Almost immediately after beginning, the show has proven quite popular, beating all other shows in its timeslot except Vera Sto Dexi
Vera Sto Dexi
Vera sto Dexi is a Greek television soap opera. Created by Helena Akrita and Yiorgos Kiritsis, Vera sto Dexi combines elements of drama, mystery, adventure and occasionally comedy...
, until its end in May, 2007. The show suffered a significant drop in ratings of 15% after Noni Ιoannidou's character Vera left the show in November 2006; the writers have now admitted that they regretting killing her character, as they knew Vera was one of the most popular characters, but did not predict this sharp decline in ratings, however by the end of the second season the ratings had significantly recovered. However, in 2008, the show was cancelled on the ANT1
ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
network, due to low ratings, opposite Mega Channel's UGLY MARIA.
Broadcast
Its popularity has been reflected by airing it internationally on the ANT1ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
Pacific network in Australia, where it has a huge fanbase, broadcast at 7pm, on the ANT1
ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
network, in synchronisation with Greece.
It is also seen in over 15 other countries, including across Canada via the Odyssey Network and the United States via ANT1
ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
Satellite network. Replacing reruns of Lampsi and Kalimera Zoi, the show has attracted quite a lot of fans outside Greece as it is aired at the 7 p.m. timeslot (like in Greece).
Criticism
Almost every cast member has been framed for a crime, and many sent to jail, which has sparked criticism against the show as the characters are setting a bad example for the community. Other criticisms of the show are that in the second season, many characters in Stefanos' family were killed. The list includes, Vera, Olga, and his half-sister, sister and father.Central character Aphrodite's husband was also killed along with Hector's secretary, along with various other minor characters that were killed only weeks after being introduced. The writers have promised to lower the amount of death on the show next season, as in only 2 seasons of the show over 15 characters have died, this is more than Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
in its first two seasons. Furthermore, at the start of the third season, many new characters were introduced and roles of current characters re-cast. Many fans feel that they are not watching the same show anymore as hardly any original cast members remain after only two completed seasons.
Additionally, fans were disappointed that the storyline involving Angelle's death was told by the actor before the end of the second season. This ultimately spoiled the cliffhanger.
Setting
- Erotas is set in the Northern suburbs of AthensAthensAthens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
including EkaliEkaliEkali is an exclusive suburban community of Athens -- just about 20 km to the north of the city. Ekali sits between the Athenian plain and the Penteli mountains. The plain is to the west; the forests at the foot of the Penteli mountain range lie to the east...
. - It is also set one east coast of Athens, including Sounio and also on the Greek island of MykonosMykonosMykonos is a Greek island, part of the Cyclades, lying between Tinos, Syros, Paros and Naxos. The island spans an area of and rises to an elevation of at its highest point. There are 9,320 inhabitants most of whom live in the largest town, Mykonos, which lies on the west coast. The town is also...
where Mirto and her family own two resorts named after their daughter, Antigoni. - A third resort in Agia Napa, CyprusCyprusCyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, was burned to the ground after a suspicious fire at the end of the first season, the fire was most probably caused by Ioulia's associates. - On July 13, 2007, Myrto opened another location of the Antigoni's Hotel corporation in SpetsesSpetsesSpetses is an island and a municipality in the Islands regional unit, Attica, Greece. It is sometimes included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolidocorinthia, which is now split into Argolis and Corinthia...
at the end of the second season. - During the third season Mirto also bought a fifth hotel in SantoriniSantoriniSantorini , officially Thira , is an island located in the southern Aegean Sea, about southeast from Greece's mainland. It is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago which bears the same name and is the remnant of a volcanic caldera...
, with two weeks spent on location observing the area.
Season 1(2005-2006)
Erotas Season 1 premiered on September 8, 2005 and ended on June 24, 2006 with a total of 225 episodes. A successful heart surgeon and a dynamic business woman enjoy personal and family completion with their daughter. All seems wonderful in their life until the moment that the woman's ex-husband sets it as his objective to destroy her life.Season 2 (2006-2007)
Erotas Season 2 premiered on September 17, 2006 and ended on July 13, 2007 with a total 225 episodes. At the start of the second season months have passed since the tragic explosion at Martha's farewell party and everybody struggles to move on.Season 3 (2007-2008)
Erotas Season 3 premiered on September 3, 2007 and ended on May 30, 2008 with a total of 250 episodes. This season would have had 100 episodes, however this was extended to 250 episodes on October 10, 2007 due to outstanding ratings performance. This lead many to believe it would be the last season, since it was being given an increasingly extended run. These people were proven corrected, as the series was cancelled on May 26, 2008. The start of the third season begins where Season 2 left off. Everybody has boarded Myrto's cruise, and Angello is murdered. A wedding occurs, and some beloved faces from Mirto's past return.Cancellation and future
On April 26, 2008, the series was officially cancelled. The producers stated, that this was always the plan, and talk of future seasons was a ploy to avoid determining the end point of the series to the audience. The final episode aired on May 30, 2008 in Greece. The producers say they wanted to end the series at the height of its popularity, and therefore decided to not renew for an additional season, however, it is becoming increasingly clear that this is untrue, and the real reason being a financial dispute. The creator of Erotas has said she would be more than willing to continue to the show on another network, should any of the major networks express interest.Syndication
The ANT1ANT1
Antenna, better known as ANT1, is a television network airing in Greece and Cyprus. The alternate spelling is play on words in Greek; ena is the Greek number 1, thus ANT1 is pronounced the same as Antenna . It launched on 31 December 1989, the same year as rival Mega Channel, and is owned by...
network begin to run Erotas episodes in syndication in a late-night timeslot from the fall of 2008.
Specials
Two specials have aired, recapping Season 1 on May 19, 2006, and Season 2 on June 20, 2007, with spoilers for next season, and the respective seasons' final episodes. A recap special highlighting future season 3 events/cast interviews, aired on September 2, 2007.A greatest moments of the series special is planned, if it is not picked up by the MEGA network.
Main characters
Below is a list of all main characters, that have appeared in Erotas, in order of prominence.- Koralia KarantiKoralia KarantiKoralia Karanti is a Greek actress, best known for playing the protagonist of the Greek television series, Erotas, Myrtle Anagnostou despite her earlier film, stage and television career.-Personal life:...
- Myrto Anagnostou - Gregoris ValtinosGregoris ValtinosGregoris Valtinos is a Greek television and stage actor.He may be best known for playing Hector Anagnostou on Erotas , a role he has played since 2005....
- Ektoras Anagnostou - Stefanos KiriakidisStefanos KiriakidisStefanos Kirakidis in Athens, Greece is a Greek film, stage and television actor who is the male lead character on Greek soap-opera Erotas.-References:...
- Stefanos DoukasStefanos DoukasStefanos Doukas is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Stefanos Kiriakidis. He is the anti-hero of the series.... - Adamantia Kontogiorgi - Antigoni DoukaAntigoni DoukaAntigoni Douka is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Adamantia Kontogiorgi.-Characterization:...
(Season 1,2,3-4) - Noni Ιoannidou- Vera DoukaVera DoukaVera Douka is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Noni Ιoannidou. Vera Douka is one of the show's leading characters.-Season 1:...
(Season 1-2, 4) - Dimitri LiakopoulosDimitri LiakopoulosDimitri Liakopoulos is a Greek theatre and television actor, best known for his role as Pavlos Doukas on the popular Greek soap opera, Erotas. His satirical portrayal of the traditional comedic character earned him critical acclaim in Greece and overseas; he currently portrays Alexis in the 2009...
- Pavlos Doukas - Victor Kolasis - Markos Anagnostou
- Yianni Spaliaras - Alexandros Mavrakis
- Patricia Peristeri- Christina Douka
- Maro MavriMaro MavriMaro Mavri is a Greek actress and former fashion model best known for her role on Erotas, in which she has been made a core character since 2006, playing the role of Nadia....
- Nadia Douka (Season 2-4) - Vasia PanayopoulouVasia PanayopoulouVasia Panayopoulou in Athens, Greece, is a Greek theatre and stage actress who starred in Erotas.-References:...
- Aphrodite AperyiAphrodite AperyiAprodite Aperyi is a fictional character on the ANT1 television series Erotas, played by Vasia Panayopoulou. She is one of the four leading characters of the show, however she has been an unseen character throughout much of the 3rd season having not been seen onscreen since early...
(Season 2, 4) - Stella Antipa - Eleftheria (Season 2-3)
- Katerina DidaskalouKaterina DidaskalouKaterina Didaskalou is a Greek theatre, stage, television and film actress. She studied dramatic arts and philosophy in Athens and went on to study cinema and theater at Columbia University, on an Onassis Foundation scholarship...
- Ioulia Anagnostou (Season 1, 4) - Melpo KostiMelpo KostiMelpo Kosti is a Greek television and soap opera actress, currently appearing on Erotas. She is best known for her roles insuch TV series as Synora Agapis and Pathos.-Selected filmography:...
- Elena Hatziyianni (Season 3) - Manos PapayiannisManos PapayiannisManos Papayiannis is a Greek, former male fashion model, theatre, stage, television and movie actor.Manos has appeared with co-star Georgia Apostolou in several different TV series....
- Renos Doukas (Seasons 1-2) - Georgia ApostolouGeorgia ApostolouGeorgia Apostolou is a Greek film and television actress and former fashion model. She is best known for portraying Martha on Erotas, and the protagonist Aliki, on the television show Aliki.-External links:*...
- Martha Douka (Season 1, 4) - Orestis Dourvas - Iasonas(Season 3)
- Alexandros Parthenis - Angelos Papadatos (Season 2)
- Natasha Tsakarisianou Τσακαρισιάνου- Basiliki (Season 1-2, 4)
- Καterina Savrani - Anna (Season 2)
- Anna Tsoukala - Fedra (Season 2)
- Manos Zaharakos - Konstantinos (Season 1-2, 4)
- Kostas Mesaris - Yerasimos Papadatos (Season 2)
- Katerina Mantziou - Tania (Season 2-3)
- Christos Vasilopoulos - Lefteris Argiriou (Seasons 1-2, 4)
- Augoustinos Remondos - Stelios(Season 2)
- Yiannis Aivazis - Manos(Season 2)
- George Dambasis - Aris (Season 2)
- Vaso Laskaraki - Ariadni(Season 2-3)
- Georgia Mavrogiorgi - Thalia (Season 2)
- Othonos Metaksas - Philipos (Season 2)
- Elena Keramida - Eva Anagnostou (Season 1-2)
- Deana Douvani - Eva Anagnostou (Season 2-3)
- Olympia Papagianni - Eva Anagnostou (Season 3)
- Vasilis Galeos - Andreas (Season 2-3)
- Katerina Panayaki - Eleni (Season 1-2, 4)
- Thodoris Thanos - Dimitrakis (Season 1-2)
- Panos Gogos - Dimitris (Season 1)
- Athina Zotou - Alexandra(Season 2)
- Giorgos NiniosGiorgos NiniosGiorgos Ninios is a Greek television, film and stage actor with an extensive filmography.He has won two awards at the Thessaloniki Film Festival for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 and 1991.-References:*...
- Thanasis Avgeris (Season 3) - Mary AkrivopoulouMary AkrivopoulouMary Akrivopoulou is a Greek actress. She is best known for her role on Ton Ilio Tou Aiyaiou, and currently stars on Erotas...
- Athina Hatzigianni (Season 3) - Yiannis Dritsas - Renos Doukas (Season 3-4)
- Orestis Dourvas - Iasonas (Season 3)
- Thomas Kindinis - Miltiadis Hatziyiannis (Season 3)
- Christos Yiannaris - Antonis Ikonomou (Season 3)
- Dimitris Nasioulas - Dimitris Hatzis (Season 3)