Maria Mercedes

María Mercedes is based on the 1977 Mexican series Rina, which itself was adapted from the radionovela Enamorada written by Inés Rodena; the 1992 version was adapted for television by Carlos Romero.

The series was the first installment of Televisa's 'Marías' telenovela trilogy, followed by Marimar and María la del Barrio, both also starring Thalía.

The story has been adapted multiple times internationally, including La italianita (Venezuela, 1973), Rubí rebelde (Venezuela, 1989), Inocente de ti (Mexico/USA, 2004), and Maria Esperança (Brazil, 2007).

In the Philippines, María Mercedes became notably popular, airing on ABS-CBN from 1996 to 1997 and reportedly being one of the first telenovelas dubbed into Tagalog.

A Philippine remake of the series aired on ABS-CBN from October 2013 to January 2014, starring Jessy Mendiola, Jake Cuenca, and Jason Abalos.

In Mexico, the original series replaced De frente al sol on Canal de las Estrellas and was itself later replaced by Capricho.