Mi rival (English: My Rival) is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carmen Armendáriz for TelevisaUnivision. It is based on Inés Rodena's radionovela Cuando la rival es una hija. The series stars Sebastián Rulli, Alejandra Barros and Ela Velden. It aired on Univision from 2 March 2026 to 14 May 2026. In Mexico, the series aired on Las Estrellas from 20 April 2026 to 28 June 2026.
Contents
Plot
Paloma García is married to Porfirio Cruz, 25 years her senior, an important sugar plantation owner in San Luis Potosí. As a teenager, Renato Tirado is adopted by Gustavo Rodríguez, another important sugar plantation owner in San Luis, after rescuing his son from a group of thugs. Renato and Paloma meet at the San Luis fairgrounds and feel an undeniable mutual attraction. Overwhelmed by her feelings, Paloma hastens her return home to Porfirio, who is very ill. Bárbara, her 25-year-old daughter, is also forced to return to the plantation to be near her father. Porfirio, overwhelmed by the demands of the estate, asks his partner and friend Gustavo for help in finding an administrator. Gustavo, who secretly covets Porfirio's estate, recommends Renato, his protégé, who is unaware of Gustavo's ambitions.
Paloma, who is weighed down by her loveless marriage, is shocked when she sees Renato arrive at the estate. She is even more surprised when she discovers that Bárbara is also attracted to him. Things get worse when, thanks to his intelligence and talent, Renato works hard to try to get Hacienda Cruz back on its feet. For Bárbara, her initial attraction to Renato gradually turns into a deep love that will be difficult to hide. From this point on, the unconditional love between mother and daughter becomes blurred, when each one's own happiness is endangered by the other. They never thought they would end up as rivals.
Cast
Sebastián Rulli as Renato Tirado
Ela Velden as Bárbara Cruz García
Alejandra Barros as Paloma García
Arturo Peniche as Gustavo Rodríguez
Ana Bertha Espín as Rosario García "Chelo"
Martha Julia as Georgina Rodríguez
Marco Treviño as Porfirio Cruz
Cinthia Aparicio as Dalilah Fuentes
Mildred Feuchter as María García
Edward Castillo as Luis Ernesto Rodríguez
Diana Haro as Rosa Martínez
José Daniel Figueroa as Vicente Lopez "Lopecito"
Axel Ricco as Father Emiliano
Juan Carlos Remolina as Samuel Vargas
Ignacio Guadalupe as Ramiro
Vicente Tamayo as Rodrigo Montemayor
Jorge Caballero as Brayan León
Patricio Labastida as Roberto "Beto" Terrazas
Iker Madrid as Hilario Sánchez "El Trenza"
Daniel Martínez as Gabino Ortega
Mercedes Hernández as Manuela Garrido
Production
On 17 July 2025, Sebastián Rulli, Alejandra Barros and Ela Velden were announced in the lead roles of Mi rival. The first table read was held on 18 August 2025. Filming of the telenovela took place from 29 September 2025 to 4 February 2026.
Ratings
Release
Mi rival premiered first in the United States on Univision on 2 March 2026. In Mexico, the series premiered on Las Estrellas on 20 April 2026.