Peruvian actress Yvonne Frayssinet has revealed why the television series Al Fondo Hay Sitio maintains high audience ratings in Peru despite ongoing online criticism.
The 76-year-old performer, who portrays Francesca Maldini in the long-running show on América TV, spoke about the program's enduring popularity during an interview on radio station RPP.
Al Fondo Hay Sitio remains one of the most successful productions on Peruvian television. The series is currently in its 13th season on América TV and recently recorded audience ratings exceeding 16 points.
Rating performance and cast changes
The daily comedy-drama follows the lives and interactions of families in the fictional community of Las Nuevas Lomas. Over its 13 seasons, the show has undergone significant storyline modifications and seen the departure of several major cast members.
Frayssinet, who has been part of the cast since the first season, addressed how the production handles cast turnover. She said on RPP that it is painful when an actor leaves the series, but explained that the writing team acts quickly to maintain balance.
She said the scriptwriters immediately introduce a new scenario or another actor to restore stability, allowing the cast and crew to move forward regardless of cast departures.
Scriptwriting and audience loyalty
Addressing the reasons behind the series' long term success, Frayssinet highlighted the strong connection established between the show and its viewers. She said audiences have developed a daily habit of following the characters and storyline.
She praised the scriptwriters as highly skilled at maintaining public interest despite frequent plot twists. She added that while some people criticise the show on social networks, those same critics do not miss an episode or a single detail of the broadcast.
Background on the production and cast
Al Fondo Hay Sitio is a flagship series for América TV, one of Peru's primary commercial broadcasting networks. The program debuted as a family comedy-drama focused on social contrast and community dynamics, growing into a dominant fixture of evening television in the country.
Frayssinet is a prominent figure in Peruvian television and theatre. Her character, matriarch Francesca Maldini, remains one of the few original roles continuous from the premiere season of the series through its current 13th run.
