She played little Rita at age 7: Mel Maia returns to 'Avenida Brasil' 14 years later — now as Cauã Reymond's love interest
At 22, the actress will play Jussiele, a young woman from Rio's suburbs who gets involved with Jorginho in Globo's sequel.
Foto: Reprodução/TerraGlobo is milking nostalgia to the last drop in 'Avenida Brasil 2'. Mel Maia, who made her TV debut at 7 as Rita — the child version of Nina, played by Débora Falabella in the 2012 telenovela — is back in the story. But not as the character that made her famous: at 22, she will play Jussiele, a young woman from Rio's suburbs created especially for the sequel, according to the newspaper Extra.
The twist already buzzing online is the romance. Jussiele will get involved with Jorginho, Cauã Reymond's character, in a storyline that, according to the report, will include steamier scenes between the two. The new character has no link to Rita or Nina.
The role marks Mel Maia's return to the network's telenovelas after three years — her last was 'Vai na Fé', in 2023. Written by João Emanuel Carneiro, 'Avenida Brasil 2' is set 15 years after the original and is expected to premiere in January 2027 in the 9 p.m. slot, replacing 'Quem Ama Cuida'.
