Set in 19th-century Brazil during the waning years of slavery, Escrava Isaura tells the story of Isaura, a white-skinned enslaved woman raised with the manners and education of a noble lady. Though treated with affection by her mistress, Isaura remains legally enslaved and becomes the object of obsessive desire by Leôncio Almeida, the cruel heir to the plantation. After the death of her protector, Isaura falls under Leôncio’s control. Despite his attempts to seduce and dominate her, she resists, determined to preserve her dignity and freedom. Her father, Miguel, helps her escape to Recife, where she adopts a new identity and meets Álvaro, a wealthy and principled abolitionist who falls in love with her. Leôncio eventually tracks her down, leading to dramatic confrontations. In the end, Álvaro rescues Isaura by purchasing Leôncio’s debts, securing her freedom and affirming the story’s central themes of justice, love, and resistance against oppression.
Episodes
Ester suffers from missing her son. Almeida and Fontoura go to a slave auction. Malvina is enchanted by Isaura. Ester finds out that Leôncio is returning home.
Almeida orders Ester to treat Isaura as a slave. Henrique insists on meeting Isaura. Isaura asks Januária to tell her about her past. Leôncio reunites with Isaura.
Leôncio becomes fascinated by Isaura. Malvina gives a gift to Santa. André challenges Francisco and is punished. Isaura questions Ester about her past. Almeida confronts Leôncio.
Almeida is outraged by a revelation from Leôncio. Francisco asks Rosa to find out who helped André. Leôncio gives orders to Isaura. Almeida makes a decision about Leôncio.
Leôncio harasses Isaura, who runs away. Almeida argues with Leôncio after being humiliated by his son. Ester decides to take Isaura and Januária far away.
Leôncio promises his father that he will arrange a meeting with his suitor. Francisco puts André to work in the plantation. Januária goes to the farm to find Miguel and cheers him up with some news.
Januária accepts Miguel's proposal. Commander Almeida makes an offer to Lucíola. Isaura helps André. Isaura makes a confession to Januária. Tobias meets Isaura during a walk.
Tobias schedules a meeting with Isaura. Rosa seduces Leôncio. Isaura catches Rosa with Leôncio. Isaura misses her meeting with Tobias and receives an unexpected visitor at the farm.
Ester invites Tobias for lunch at the farm. Isaura lies to avoid Tobias. Tobias asks to speak with Francisco. Miguel delivers the letter to Leôncio. Isaura meets Tobias.
Isaura sets a condition for Tobias and schedules a new meeting. Ester asks Leôncio for a favor. Isaura screams and throws Leôncio out of her room. Isaura makes a confession to Januária.
Leôncio tries to get closer to Taís. Fontoura gives exciting news to his children. Januária saves Isaura from Leôncio's harassment. Januária decides to tell Isaura the truth.
Januária tells Isaura the truth about her origins. Isaura tries to escape from Tobias. Miguel asks Januária not to reveal his secret to Isaura. Isaura makes a bold request to Ester.
Ester tells Isaura she will think about her request. Tobias confronts Leôncio's pro-slavery ideals. Miguel tells Januária he has a condition before presenting himself to Isaura.
Tobias criticizes Leôncio for the way he treats the slaves. Januária tells Miguel about Isaura's request. Tobias decides to report Leôncio. Tobias and Isaura meet again.
Tobias insists on knowing the truth about Isaura. Rosa is rude to Isaura. Leôncio embarrasses Almeida once again. Fontoura and his children arrive at the farm. Almeida confronts Leôncio.
Leôncio resumes harassing Isaura. He becomes enchanted by Malvina upon meeting his suitor. Ester makes an unexpected request to Commander Almeida regarding Isaura.
Commander Almeida refuses Ester's request. Malvina is concerned about Isaura. Tobias receives an invitation to dine with Commander Almeida. Miguel asks to speak with Isaura.
Commander Almeida decides to forgive Tobias. Januária covers for Isaura’s plan. Leôncio delivers news to Commander Almeida. Taís is charmed upon meeting Henrique.
Henrique becomes fascinated by Taís. Isaura makes an emotional confession to Santa. Ester tells Isaura she will return to the court. Leôncio intimidates Isaura by mentioning the engagement.
Isaura says goodbye to Tobias and gives him a keepsake. Miguel receives a reward from Tobias. Tobias comes up with an idea to find Isaura. Isaura receives an unexpected visitor.
Miguel reveals something surprising to Isaura and makes her a promise. Commander Almeida makes a tempting offer to Leôncio. Tobias discovers a shocking truth about Isaura.
Taís questions Tobias's decision. Rosa tries to uncover Isaura's secret. Malvina invites Isaura to the theater. Almeida prepares a surprise for Carmem. Tobias visits Leôncio.
Tobias leaves Leôncio stunned by asking about Isaura. Henrique helps Tobias find Isaura. Isaura is moved by the play. Tobias surprises Isaura at the theater.
Isaura runs away from Tobias after being confronted by him. Tobias suspects Leôncio's interest in Isaura. Taís complains about Henrique. Madame Besançon is impressed by Isaura.
Leôncio confronts Tobias. Henrique flirts with Lucíola at the tavern. Leôncio accepts Almeida's offer and is shocked by his father's decision. Madame Besançon makes a proposal to Isaura.
Isaura makes a decision after receiving Madame Besançon's proposal. Tobias comforts Isaura about the future. Ester is shocked by her husband's decision. Januária is devastated by Ester.
Isaura asks Tobias to postpone the offer. Rosa tries to give advice to André. Ester thanks Isaura for her kindness. Ester asks to move to the plantation after her son's wedding.
Ester shares her premonition with Malvina. Isaura expresses her excitement to Januária. André asks Rosa for help to escape the abuse. Tobias surprises Isaura with a visit.
Malvina praises Leôncio's farm. Tobias agrees to Isaura's requests. Miguel helps André escape. Santa becomes worried about André. Leôncio makes a decision regarding André.
Malvina is worried about Santa. Leôncio tries to force a confession from André. Malvina and Ester plead with Leôncio for mercy. Henrique is concerned about his sister. Ester asks Malvina for a favor.
Ester makes a request to Malvina. Henrique hires the gardener Beltrão. Santa laments André's indifference. Almeida agrees to guarantee Isaura's freedom.
Ester makes another plea to Almeida. Isaura suffers a devastating loss. Almeida informs Leôncio of his decision. Malvina makes a revelation to Henrique.
Isaura tells Malvina about Ester's promise. Leôncio questions Almeida about a safe. Isaura and Tobias meet again. Rosa becomes interested in Malvina's gift.
Henrique gives Malvina bad news. Isaura shares her suspicion with Tobias. Leôncio questions Francisco about the safe. Malvina leaves Leôncio outraged with a request.
Malvina questions Leôncio's change in behavior. Rosa reveals she has a plan against Isaura. Leôncio confronts Isaura. Tobias makes an offer to buy Isaura.
Leôncio questions Tobias's intentions toward Isaura. Taís invites Henrique to lunch at the farm. Leôncio forbids Isaura from going out. Miguel becomes worried about Isaura.
Leôncio decides to burn the letter meant for Malvina. Tobias returns frustrated from his trip. Malvina makes a request to Leôncio. Fontoura asks to speak with Leôncio.
Fontoura warns Leôncio about Commander Almeida's libertine behavior. André opens his heart to Isaura. Rosa catches Isaura talking to one of Tobias's enslaved women.
Rosa tries to find proof that Isaura received the note. Leôncio is concerned about Commander Almeida’s wedding. Taís comes up with an idea to deliver Tobias’s letter to Isaura.
Taís schemes to deliver the letter to Isaura. Tobias is frustrated after reading Isaura’s reply. Carmem agrees to marry Commander Almeida. Tobias asks Taís for help.
Tobias devises a plan to find Isaura. Santa feels jealous of Isaura’s closeness with André. Henrique returns from Europe. Almeida introduces Carmem to Leôncio.
Carmem embarrasses Almeida in front of the family. Almeida makes a surprising proposal to Leôncio. José prepares Aninha for dinner with Henrique. Isaura meets Tobias.
Almeida leaves the plantation with Carmem. Henrique invites Aninha and José to lunch. Carmem finds Isaura’s manumission papers. Isaura decides to accept André’s proposal.
Carmem reveals to Lucíola that she might help Isaura. Santa makes a confession to Isaura. Rosa puts her scheme against Isaura into action. Malvina raises the alarm at the plantation after a theft.
José becomes suspicious of Henrique. Tobias makes a confession to Henrique and receives crucial information. Isaura rejects André’s proposal. Francisco finds the stolen ring.
Henrique suspects Leôncio. Malvina vents to Isaura about her marriage. Tobias asks Miguel for help. Leôncio shocks Malvina. Isaura is surprised by Malvina.
Henrique tells Malvina the truth. Malvina confronts Leôncio about Isaura’s manumission. Leôncio decides to punish Isaura for the stolen ring. Malvina has an unexpected encounter.
Isaura pleads with Malvina to show mercy to Santa. Malvina rebels against Leôncio. Rosa buys Rita’s silence. Henrique travels to the court. Leôncio becomes suspicious of Henrique’s trip.
Malvina tells Santa that André proved the slave's innocence. Alba offers support to Tobias. Henrique visits Commander Almeida and asks for Isaura’s freedom.
Henrique receives Isaura’s manumission letter. Isaura makes Miguel promise not to get into trouble. Leôncio suffers over his father's marriage. Francisco tries to intercept Henrique.
Isaura discovers she has been freed. Leôncio does not oppose the marriage between Tobias and Isaura. Tobias disappears on his way to the court. Leôncio thwarts Isaura’s plans.
Leôncio threatens Tobias. Isaura is desperate over her beloved’s disappearance. Santa grows suspicious of Leôncio. Malvina tries to rescue Tobias. A tragedy strikes the mill.
Francisco realizes his mistake and tells Leôncio. Isaura loses control upon discovering what happened to Tobias and Malvina. Francisco threatens Santa. Almeida returns to the plantation.
Leôncio asks Francisco for help. Leôncio manages to divert Henrique’s suspicion about the fire. Januária celebrates Isaura’s freedom. Francisco thwarts Miguel’s plan.
Miguel is threatened by Francisco. Rosa confronts Isaura. Isaura is given a new role on the plantation. Januária advises Santa and Isaura. Carmem decides to confront Leôncio.
Carmem asks Leôncio to approve her relationship with Commander Almeida. Santa confronts Francisco. Isaura is exploited by Francisco. Isaura confesses a troubling fear to Santa.
Henrique invites Taís. André makes a confession to Santa. Leôncio intimidates Isaura with a request. Taís makes a request to Henrique. Rosa plots against Isaura.
Henrique asks to accompany Taís on a trip. Isaura writes a letter to Madame Besançon. Rosa sets a trap and makes Leôncio believe he will have a meeting with Isaura.
Januária suspects Leôncio. Rosa manages to deceive Isaura. André confesses his feelings to Santa. Leôncio tries to kiss Isaura. Isaura is punished for rejecting Leôncio.
Miguel decides to ask Henrique for help to get Isaura off the whipping post. Henrique confronts Leôncio. Isaura receives threats from Leôncio. Santa is prevented from leaving the plantation.
Francisco threatens Santa. André tries to uncover Santa’s secret. Leôncio is outraged by Isaura’s coldness. Aninha makes a confession to Matoso. Taís makes an important sacrifice.
Henrique confesses his love to Taís. Leôncio has a breakdown after being confronted by Miguel and Henrique. José is outraged by Fontoura’s revelation. Leôncio makes an unexpected request to Isaura.
Isaura rejects Leôncio’s proposal and is severely punished. André threatens Leôncio and is punished. Santa asks Miguel for help. Miguel tries to convince Isaura to escape.
Miguel organizes the escape of Isaura, André, and Santa from the plantation. Santa fights with Rosa. Leôncio mobilizes resources to find the fugitives. Miguel decides to seek out Carmem.
Carmem offers help to the fugitives. Henrique makes a proposal to Taís. Francisco confronts Leôncio. Carmem asks Almeida for a vote of confidence. Álvaro becomes interested in Isaura.
Álvaro is enchanted by Isaura. Miguel shares the next steps with Isaura. Isaura comes up with an idea to earn money. Álvaro visits Isaura’s home.
Álvaro leaves a message with Santa. Isaura is eager for Álvaro’s visit. Fontoura is concerned about Henrique’s marriage. Leôncio thinks about Isaura. Miguel feels threatened.
Álvaro continues his search for Isaura. Fontoura surprises Taís with a gift. Leôncio places a new ad in the newspaper. Isaura leaves home and has an unexpected encounter.
Isaura treats Álvaro harshly. Henrique discovers that José has a large debt. Álvaro talks with Miguel. Isaura makes a confession to Santa. Henrique confronts José.
Januária thinks about Isaura. Taís asks Alba to accept Tobias’s death. Álvaro discovers Carmem’s whereabouts. André receives exciting news. Miguel extends an invitation to Álvaro.
Isaura is surprised by Álvaro’s revelation. Álvaro asks Martinho to investigate Carmem. Henrique confronts Fontoura. Miguel is outraged after reading the new newspaper ad.
Henrique and Taís invite Almeida and Carmem to the wedding. Miguel goes to Andrada’s house to retrieve the ad about the fugitive slaves. Álvaro frightens Isaura with his behavior.
José chooses a new suitor for Aninha. Álvaro declares his love to Isaura. Fontoura apologizes to Almeida. Álvaro makes a discovery about Isaura’s past.
Santa advises Isaura to accept Álvaro’s gift. Carmem tells Almeida the truth about Barbacena. Álvaro confesses his love for Isaura to Miguel. Carmem goes to Barbacena.
Miguel reassures Carmem. Taís looks for Januária. Álvaro gives Isaura a gift. José questions Aninha about Leôncio. Geraldo makes a confession to Álvaro. Carmem confronts Álvaro.
Álvaro confesses his feelings for Elvira to Carmem. José offers Aninha’s hand to Leôncio. Carmem encourages Isaura to marry Álvaro. Santa makes a confession about Leôncio.
Isaura is frightened by Santa’s account. Geraldo confesses his feelings for Lúcia. Andrada is furious with Álvaro. Leôncio returns to the plantation. Álvaro questions Isaura.
Álvaro offers to help Isaura. Leôncio is disturbed upon returning to the plantation. Andrada confronts Álvaro. Santa gives birth to her child. Leôncio gets excited after receiving a letter.
Leôncio increases the reward for Isaura. Santa invites Isaura. Isaura praises Álvaro’s attitude. Geraldo asks Andrada for Lúcia’s hand in marriage. Isaura makes a request to Miguel.
Miguel warns Isaura about a danger. Commander Almeida makes a confession to Carmem. André becomes worried after finding an ad in the newspaper. Isaura makes a confession to Álvaro.
Henrique decides to go to the court. Isaura decides to attend the ball with Álvaro. Rosa gets excited about Francisco’s news. Miguel makes an important announcement. Leôncio receives a letter.
Martinho suffers from rejection. Álvaro and Isaura surprise everyone at the ball. Henrique visits José and Matoso. Martinho and Andrada come to a conclusion about Isaura.
José insults Henrique. Martinho plots against Santa and André. Álvaro makes Isaura uncomfortable. Isaura is exposed at the ball. Isaura makes an important decision.
Geraldo offers help to Isaura. Leôncio and Aninha arrive at the plantation. Januária receives troubling news. Isaura gives Álvaro valuable information. Martinho goes to the plantation.
Álvaro gives Geraldo an idea. Leôncio is suspicious of Martinho’s information. Almeida blames himself for Leôncio’s upbringing. Francisco advises Leôncio. Álvaro meets Januária.
Andrada congratulates Martinho on the mission. Álvaro offers money for Francisco’s testimony. Isaura becomes worried about Álvaro. Leôncio gets excited after receiving a new letter.
Januária talks with Taís and Henrique about Isaura. Matoso confesses a regret to Aninha. Henrique decides to help Isaura. Isaura takes action to protect Álvaro.
Álvaro decides to find Isaura. Henrique admires the gesture of Carmem and Commander Almeida. Carmem scolds Isaura. Álvaro makes an offer to Martinho. Martinho visits Leôncio.
Martinho leaves Leôncio frustrated. Álvaro makes a surprising proposal to Isaura. Martinho demands payment from Álvaro. Aninha threatens Leôncio. Leôncio gets excited upon receiving a visitor.
Leôncio becomes suspicious of Eneida. Miguel confesses to Isaura his concern about Álvaro. Andrada harasses Isaura. Álvaro prepares to travel. Isaura is surprised by a visitor.
Álvaro tries to negotiate with Leôncio. Matoso becomes suspicious of Leôncio. Miguel is sent to jail. Isaura, Santa, and André are punished. Álvaro visits Henrique.
Taís devises a plan for Henrique and Álvaro to go to the plantation. Beltrão intervenes on Isaura’s behalf. Leôncio realizes something important about Beltrão. Henrique and Álvaro help Isaura.
Álvaro and Henrique help the slaves escape. Leôncio thwarts the slaves’ escape. Henrique decides to go to court to fight against Leôncio. Leôncio receives an unexpected visitor.
Eneida suffers a blow from Leôncio. Januária and Rita help the slaves. Leôncio makes a confession to Francisco. Henrique returns from court with new information about Leôncio.
Henrique gives Álvaro directions. Matoso tries to intervene on behalf of the slaves. Leôncio assigns hard labor to Isaura, Santa, and André. Carmem is shocked upon receiving news about Isaura.
Commander Almeida confronts Leôncio about Isaura’s situation. Carmem attacks Leôncio. Matoso gives Leôncio an ultimatum. Leôncio plots to punish Isaura again.
Francisco questions Leôncio’s plans. Rita thanks Aninha for her gesture. Lúcia confronts Andrada. Leôncio threatens Miguel. Beltrão receives a surprising offer from Leôncio.
Isaura worries about Miguel’s debt. Isaura feels sad after reading Álvaro’s letter. Leôncio makes a proposal to Isaura. Isaura surprises Beltrão. Francisco threatens André and Santa.
Lúcia expels Eneida from the wedding. Matoso refuses to help José. André plans to tell Isaura the truth. Isaura prepares for the wedding. Álvaro shows up at Leôncio’s plantation.
Álvaro makes a revelation about Leôncio. Leôncio tries to escape from the plantation. Álvaro surprises the slaves with news. Rosa plots against Isaura. Álvaro and Isaura celebrate their wedding.
