The new Argentine series Time Flies is now streaming on Netflix, telling a tense story about two women trying to build a new life after prison. The show centers on Inés and Manca, ex-convicts running a fumigation business who get pulled into a dangerous job by a wealthy, mysterious client. Many viewers are asking if this gripping story started on the page before it hit the screen. The answer is yes—the show is based not on one, but two books by acclaimed Argentine novelist Claudia Piñeiro.
The series cleverly combines Piñeiro’s novels Tuya (2005) and El Tiempo de Las Moscas (2023), which translates to “The Time of the Flies.” The show takes its title from the second book. Screenwriters Nicolás Diodovich and Gabriela Larralde adapted the material, weaving the plot of the first book into the story as crucial flashbacks. This structure lets viewers see both the crime that sent Inés to prison years ago and the new trouble she faces after her release.
The Two Books Behind the Story: Tuya and El Tiempo de Las Moscas
To understand the Netflix series, you need to know about its two source books. They were conceived as a duology, with the second novel acting as a sequel to the first.
Tuya (2005) focuses on Inés as a housewife. The story explores her crumbling marriage after she discovers her husband is having an affair. This betrayal leads to a dramatic, violent event—a murder—that defines Inés’s future. In the series, the entire third episode is dedicated to adapting the core events of Tuya, providing essential background for Inés’s character.
El Tiempo de Las Moscas (2023) picks up the story years later, following Inés after she is released from prison. This is the primary narrative for the Netflix show. It introduces her friendship with Manca, another ex-inmate, and their struggle to make an honest living with their fumigation company. Their shaky new beginning is threatened when client Susana Bonar appears, pulling them back into a criminal plot.
By fusing these two books, the series shows a complete journey. It contrasts the person Inés was before prison with the person she is trying to become after it, all while the past refuses to stay buried.
From Page to Screen: How the Adaptation Works
The adaptation makes specific choices to blend the two novels into a six-episode season. The main plot of the series follows Inés (Carla Peterson) and Manca (Nancy Dupláa) in the present day as they run their pest control business and deal with the shady client Susana Bonar (Valeria Lois). This storyline comes directly from El Tiempo de Las Moscas.
The events of Tuya are shown through flashbacks, with the most concentrated block appearing in Episode 3, titled “Life Goes On.” This episode dives deep into Inés’s past, revealing her life as a wife and mother and the intense circumstances that led to her imprisonment. This structure allows the show to explore the root causes of Inés’s actions while keeping the present-day crime story moving forward.
The series devotes its third episode to unpacking that episode in detail… but its real focus lies in the present, after Inés is released from prison.
This method gives viewers a full picture of the protagonist. We see the trauma that shaped her and the daily battles she faces as an ex-convict trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with her estranged adult daughter.
About the Author: Claudia Piñeiro
The mind behind the original stories is Claudia Piñeiro, a celebrated Argentine crime novelist. She is known for writing gripping narratives that often explore social issues and complex female characters. Piñeiro is not new to adaptations; other works of hers, like Elena Knows and The Kingdom, have also been brought to the screen.
Her involvement in Time Flies as the source author provides a strong literary foundation. Her stories are known for their sharp social observation, which translates into a series that is more than just a crime thriller—it’s also about survival, friendship, and navigating a world that is quick to judge.
Where to Watch Time Flies
All six episodes of Time Flies are available to stream globally on Netflix as of January 1, 2026. The show is an Argentine production, presented in Spanish with dubbing and subtitle options for international audiences. Each episode runs between 27 and 37 minutes, making it a quick binge.
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Clarifying Other “Time Flies” Books
A search for “Time Flies” in online bookstores can be confusing, as there are other unrelated books with the same title. It is important to distinguish these from the source material for the Netflix show.
- “Time Flies” by Eric Rohmann: This is a award-winning, wordless picture book from 1995 about a bird and dinosaurs. It is a children’s book intended for ages 2-6 and has no connection to the Netflix crime drama.
- “Time Flies” by Claire Cook: This is a novel about a woman going on a road trip to her high school reunion after a divorce. It is a work of contemporary women’s fiction and is not related to the Argentine series.
- “Time Flies” Series by Carol Kerney: This is a six-book children’s science fiction series about twins who time travel. It is also completely unrelated to the Netflix show.
The direct source for the Netflix series is exclusively Claudia Piñeiro’s Spanish-language novels, Tuya and El Tiempo de Las Moscas.
The Core of the Story: Friendship and Survival
Beyond the crime plot, the series is anchored by the relationship between Inés and Manca. They meet in prison and their bond becomes the most stable thing in their lives after release. Manca, who is openly gay, often takes the lead in their unofficial investigations, using her wit to gather information. Their friendship is tested as they face financial pressure, health issues, and the constant threat of returning to their old lives.
The show uses their job as fumigators as a metaphor. They literally clean out pests, while also trying to cleanse their own lives of past mistakes and present dangers. Their bright pest control truck, looking for normal jobs, symbolizes their attempt at a cheerful, ordinary life—an attempt that is constantly under threat.
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