Why did Televisa’s ‘La Paloma’ end so abruptly?

• Why was La Paloma cancelled?
• Why did Televisa only air one season of the show?
• Learn more about the 90s telenovela.

In the mid-1990s, Televisa premiered the only telenovela in its history that didn’t have an ending. So why was La Paloma cancelled?

The series, starring Gerardo Hemmer and Maite Embil, was taken off the air just three months after its premiere.

To this day, many people still remember this soap opera, not only for its original plot but also for all the mystery surrounding its abrupt ending.

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La Paloma featured characters Rafael Estrada and Emilia López-Yergo, played by Gerardo Hemmer and Maite Embil, respectively.

He was  a pizza delivery man and she was a young woman from high society. They had a forbidden love story in the purest style of Romeo and Juliet.

Originally, this telenovela was slated to air for 120 episodes — however, only 50 were broadcast.

Despite director José Rendón wanting to change the plot, Televisa refused.

La Paloma was poised to become a huge success

La Paloma featured actors such as Manuel Ojeda, Isaura Espinoza and Joaquín Cordero, among others.

It is worth noting that this telenovela was well-received by viewers, who never imagined what was about to happen.

After its cancellation, the telenovela Retrato de Familia, directed by Lucy Orozco, took La Paloma’s time slot.

It’s sudden ending had such an impact that Maite Embil did not appear in another telenovela until four years later.

Why was La Paloma cancelled?

According to La Razón, La Paloma was cancelled for a shocking reason — the death of Gerardo Hemmer.

Official reports stated that the actor died due to a supposed gas leak in his apartment.

However, it was rumored that he was having an affair with a married man who killed him.

Others claimed that he was having a relationship with a man but that he was an executive at the television network.

What else did people say about the show?

According to Lost media, La Paloma producers had a plan to explain Rafael Estrada’s absence from the show.

In an interview with TVyNovelas, Maite Embil said that her character would return to school to overcome her lover’s death.

On the other hand, actor José María Yazpik revealed that his character would have saved Rafael Estrada if Hemmer had not died in real life.

It’s noteworthy that La Paloma never re-aired although some episodes can be found on YouTube.

More about La Paloma star Gerardo Hemmer

PHOTO: Instagram

What would have happened to La Paloma if Gerardo Hemmer had not died? Would it have been a huge success?

The actor was only 25 years old at the time of his passing. He was born on May 21, 1970, and died on September 4, 1995.

According to infobae, he appeared in several productions during his short career.

Among them are the telenovelas La Sonrisa del Diablo, Corazón Salvaje, and Prisionera de Amor. He also appeared in the film Hombres de Acero.