Anais Calatayud

El Ministerio del Tiempo, or The Ministry of Time, is a Spanish television series that premiered in 2015. Created by Javier and Pablo Olivares, the show is produced by Onza Partners and Cliffhanger for Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE). The premise revolves around a clandestine government institution tasked with preventing individuals from other eras from altering history for their own gain. The series follows the missions of a newly formed patrol within this Ministry, consisting of Alonso de Entrerríos, a soldier from the Spanish Flanders Army; Amelia Folch, a student from the late 19th century; and Julián Martínez, a paramedic from the 21st century.

The series has seen multiple renewals, with its international broadcast rights for the third season acquired by Netflix, leading to an increased production budget. The fourth season aired in 2020, with HBO also securing broadcasting rights in Spain and Portugal. The narrative explores the challenges faced by the Ministry's agents as they navigate different historical periods to safeguard the present.

The core of the series is the Ministry of Time, a highly classified autonomous government body that answers directly to the Spanish Prime Minister and the Monarch. Its primary function is to monitor the 'doors of time' and intercept any attempts by intruders from different historical periods to manipulate events for personal advantage. The story centers on the assignments undertaken by a specific patrol within this organization. This particular unit is composed of three individuals from distinct eras: Alonso de Entrerríos, a seasoned soldier from the 16th century; Amelia Folch, a progressive university student from the late 1800s; and Julián Martínez, a contemporary paramedic from the 21st century. Their diverse backgrounds and skill sets are crucial in navigating the complexities of temporal interventions.

The series features a diverse cast of characters, both within the main patrol and the Ministry's administrative structure. Alonso de Entrerríos is depicted as a skilled 16th-century soldier, recruited just before his scheduled execution. Amelia Folch, a pioneering student from a privileged Barcelona family, leads the patrol, though her involvement, like Julián's, was affected by scheduling conflicts with other projects, leading to confirmed returns in later seasons. Julián Martínez, a 21st-century paramedic, serves as another core member. The Ministry's leadership includes Salvador Martí, the Head of the Ministry, whose main objective is preserving history, and Ernesto Jiménez, the Chief Operating Officer, a meticulous and incorruptible figure from the 15th century. Other significant characters include Irene Larra Girón, Head of Logistics, and Angustias Vázquez, Salvador's secretary.

Beyond the primary patrol, the series introduces a range of recurring characters and historical figures who interact with the Ministry. Notable among these is Diego Velázquez, the renowned Spanish painter, who is employed by the Ministry as a draftsman. The narrative also touches upon characters like Armando Leiva, a former agent who rebelled against the Ministry's rules, and Paul Walcott, an American time traveler associated with a mysterious corporation. The plot frequently involves historical personalities, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Lope de Vega, and even figures like Heinrich Himmler and Adolf Hitler, who become subjects or catalysts for the Ministry's interventions, highlighting the show's engagement with significant historical events and individuals.