Netflix's Desperate Lies Cast & Character Guide

Netflix drama Desperate Lies tells a story that spans decades, requiring a sizeable, talented cast to bring the tale to the small screen. The Brazilian melodrama, created by Dark Days‘ Angela Chaves, adopts many elements of a great telenovela. There’s tragedy, drama, and romance, but with a nostalgic edge as the story carries out over several years. Of course, Desperate Lies wouldn’t have been possible without its cast, which includes Brazilian stars like Juliana Paes, Vladimir Brichta, Felipe Abib, and more.

The story of the Netflix TV showDesperate Lies follows Liana, who is finally able to celebrate her first pregnancy after years of trying. However, things quickly turn sour when she realizes that her pregnancy is a rare phenomenon—her two twins are fathered by different men. The first was conceived with her husband, whom she discovered was having an affair. The second child, however, was conceived as the result of a rape. Desperate Lies begins in 2006 and carries on into 2023, following Liana’s family as she tries desperately to keep painful secrets from tearing them apart.

Juliana Paes As Liana

Date Of Birth: March 26, 1979

The leading part of Liana in Desperate Lies is played by telenovela actor and model Juliana Paes. Born and raised in Brazil, Paes had her breakout role in the 2009 telenovela Caminho das Índias, in which she played protagonist Maya Meetha. Her further notable projects included Gabriela (2012), Meu Pedacinho de Chão (2017), and Totalmente Demais (2017), which earned her an Emmy nomination. Though best known for her telenovela roles, Paes has also appeared in movies like Casa da Mãe Joana (2007), Bed & Breakfast (2010), and Amor Sem Medida (2021).

Paes’ character in Desperate Lies, Liana, is an occupational therapist desperate to have children of her own. When she finally discovers that she is pregnant, she is overjoyed. However, her doctor ultimately reveals that her twins were fathered by different men—one her husband and the other her rapist.

Vladimir Brichta As Tomás

Date Of Birth: March 22, 1976

Brazilian actor Vladimir Brichta got his start playing Ezequiel in the 2001 TV show Porto do Milagres. From there, he appeared in dozens of series, including Começar de Novo (2004), Faça Sua História (2008), Tapas & Beijos (2011 – 2015), and Renascer (2024). Brichta’s film credits include A Mulher Invisível (2009), A Coleção Invisível (2012), and Bingo: The King of the Mornings (2017).

Brichta plays Tomás in Desperate Lies, Liana’s husband and the father of one of her twins. Tomás was unfaithful to Liana, causing her to run out to the club with her friend to burn off some steam. However, the married couple ultimately decide to work out their marriage, though the truth about the twins makes this far more complicated.

Felipe Abib As Oscar

Date Of Birth: December 14, 1982

Felipe Abib was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and though he began his acting career in 2007, he gained notoriety playing Jeremias in the 2013 film Brazilian Western. From there, Abib gained further fame starring in the 2014 comedy Vai Que de Certo, as well as its sequel, 2015’s Vai Que da Certo II. His other notable roles include projects like HBO’s Magnifica 70 (2016), Mal Me Quer (2019), Amigo de Aluguel (2018), and A Life to Die For! (2021).

Abib plays Oscar in Desperate Lies, the brother of Liana’s best friend, Débora, and owner of a nightclub. When Liana discovers her husband’s infidelity, she goes out with Débora to clear her mind, but the night ultimately leads to her being sexually assaulted by Oscar. The trauma of this situation only becomes more intense when Liana discovers that Oscar is the father of one of her twin sons.

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Palomma Duarte As Sílvia

Date Of Birth: May 21, 1977

Brazilian actor Palomma Duarte got her start in the 1991 TV series Grande Pai but gained wider notoriety playing Teca in the 1993 series Renascer, in which she appeared in 216 episodes. Duarte starred in another long-running series in the 1990s, Tropicaliente (1994), playing Amanda. Other notable TV credits include Anjo de Mim (1996), Hilda Hurricane (1998), Women in Love (2003), Sunshine (2007), and Além da Ilusão (2022).

Duarte plays Sílvia in Desperate Lies, Tomás’ sister and, therefore, Liana’s sister-in-law.

João Vitti As Vicente

Date Of Birth: October 30, 1967

Brazilian telenovela star João Vitti had his breakout role in the 1992 series Despendida de Solteiro, in which he played Xampu. From there, Vitti played in other notable 1990s telenovelas, including De Corpo e Alma (1992), Éramos Seis (1994), and Direito de Vencer (1997). More recently, the actor has appeared in remake projects like Uma Rosa com Amor (2010) and Rebelde (2012).

In Desperate Lies, Vitti plays Vicente, the doctor Liana sees to determine her babies’ father. Of course, his tests reveal that Liana has a rare condition in which her twins were each fathered by two different men.

Martha Nowill As Débora

Date Of Birth: October 30, 1980

Martha Nowill got her start playing Mari in the 2007 movie Camila Jam, and her career has continued to grow. In 2011, she claimed a reoccurring role in the TV series Oscar Freire 279 before appearing in the 2012 film The Curse of the Cages. 2013 brought another notable role for Nowill, Drica, in the film Sheep’s Clothing. She landed another recurring TV role in 2015 with Felizes para Sempre?, leading to 2018’s If I Close My Eyes Now. More recently, Nowill appeared in 2020’s All the Women in the World, 5X Comedy (2021), and Dios Tempos (2023).

Nowill plays Débora in Desperate Lies, Liana’s best friend and Oscar’s brother. Débora takes Liana to her brother’s nightclub after her friend learns of her husband’s infidelity, and the two accept drugs from Oscar to let loose. However, the evening doesn’t go as planned.

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Desperate Lies Supporting Cast & Characters

Yohama Eshima as Cláudia – Yohama Eshima, best known for the telenovelas Travessia (2022) and Amor sem Igual (2019), plays Cláudia in Desperate Lies, Tomás’ mistress.

Enzo Diniz as young Marcos – Liana and Tomás’ son, Marcos, is played by Enzo Diniz, whose prior credits include Mar do Sertão (2022) and Nos Tempos do Imperador (2021).

Theo de Almeida as young Mateus – Liana’s second twin, Mateus, is played by Theo de Almeida in Desperate Lies, who has appeared in Nos Tempos do Imperador (2021) alongside costar Enzo Diniz.

José Beltrão as teenage Marcos – The teenage version of Marcos is the breakout role of José Beltrão, who previously appeared in the short film Coé, Cadê Meu Isqueiro? (2024).

Pedro Manoel Nabuco as teenage Mateus – Teenage Mateus is played by Pedro Manoel in Desperate Lies, who has appeared in A Vide Pela Frente (2023) and Betinoho: No Fio da Navalha (2023).

Antônio Grassi as Jonas – Actor Antônio Grassi, best known for O Dono do Nundo (1991), Carandiru (2003), and Flames of Life (2008), plays Jonas in Despterate Lies, Tomás’ father.

Mario Borges as Cezar – The part of Cezar is played by Mario Borges, best known for The Emerald Forest (1985) and Bufo & Spallanzani (2001).

Vitor Valle as Inácio – Desperate Lies is the first credit for actor Vitor Valle, who plays Tomas’s nephew Inácio.

Cláudia Porvedel as Nina – The part of Nina is played by Cláudia Porvedel, who is best known for O Amor Está no Ar (1997) and Above Justice (2016).

Joana Kannenberg as Patrícia – Joana Kannenberg plays Patricia in Desperate Lies and is best known for playing Dani in the long-running TV series Malhação.

Desperate Lies (2024)

Liana dreams of becoming a mother, but her life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant with twins by two different men due to a rare phenomenon. As she navigates this complicated situation, she struggles to keep her family united and her secrets hidden. The series delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.

Cast

Juliana Paes , Felipe Abib , Vladimir Brichta , Paloma Duarte

Release Date

July 5, 2024

Seasons

1

Creator(s)

Angela Chaves