Fantasy Island
Season 1 Universal TV (*117) 20:00 Fantasy
It’s no surprise that guests come from all corners of the world to visit the luxury tropical resort of Fantasy Island in the series of the same name. Their dreams range from the ability to eat whatever they want without gaining weight or travelling to the past to meet their favourite author – nothing is off the table, but there’s a catch. Island “caretaker” Elena Roarke (Roselyn Sánchez, Carmen Luna in dramedy series Devious Maids) doesn’t fulfil the guests’ desires as they would expect.
Through a series of lessons, Elena steers them closer to the answers that they’re searching for. “The guests are desperate to make their dreams come true because they think that it’s the key to their happiness, but it’s far from the truth,” explains Roselyn, whose character gives the guests another perspective to their issues. “She steers them towards accepting and appreciating their lives as they are rather than what they could be. As a result, the guests leave the island enlightened and transformed.”
For example, episode 4 sees musician guest Alma
(Gigi Zumbado, Tammy in comedy show Bridge And
Tunnel) longing to cut ties with her family as they disapprove of her career choice. Instead of turning Alma’s dream into a reality, Elena convinces the musician to go back in time to understand her family’s history in Cuba before they came to the US and why they have reservations. Ultimately, Alma and her loved ones make amends, thanks to Elena’s advice. “All the characters in Fantasy Island have been through traumatic events that have shaped their outlooks on life and Elena is concerned with helping the guests deal with their insecurities and fears rather than quick fixes,” reveals Roselyn.