
El fantasma de Elena is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the United States-based television network Telemundo. The first season comprised 117 episodes transmitted in the USA from July 20, 2010 to January 7, 2011. As with most of its other soap operas, the network broadcast English subtitles as closed captions on CC3. It stars Elizabeth Gutiérrez and Segundo Cernadas as protagonists and Ana Layevska as the main antagonist in a double role. It has had different titles. When the original story was changed after just 30 episodes, the novela was renamed "Elena contra Elena". Two weeks later, the script was taken to a new direction again and its title was changed to "La venganza de Elena". Finally, the novela was named "El desafío de Elena" just after 20 episodes. After the 60th episode, the novela was renamed back to its original name "El fantasma de Elena".





Two weddings are called off for lack of love, but they mark the beginning of a tragedy involving two women with the same name—and the death of one of them. Kalima predicts the tragedy. Time passes.
Elena saves Eduardo. The twin has gone mad. Passion betrays Eduardo with Elena—he tries to resist her out of fear, but his attraction is stronger, and the kiss becomes irresistible.
Eduardo loses himself over Elena—he apologizes, admits he has fallen in love, and says he no longer wants to be apart from her. The twin is out of control and has escaped from the sanatorium. The name Elena awakens all of Eduardo's ghosts from the past.
The ghosts of the past cannot prevent a true love from blossoming between two strangers, and Eduardo convinces Elena to take the risk of marrying him out of passion.
Elena faces a family filled with mysteries and resentment toward her husband, while Eduardo begins to lay the ghosts of his past to rest with his words.
Elena is haunted by the ghosts of her husband's past loves, which seem to chase her to frighten her. She tries to find comfort in her husband's arms, but he harbors unsuspected secrets.
Corina tries to befriend Elena. Eduardo grows worried about the twin's disappearance. Corina delves into witchcraft in order to push Elena out of her life and open a strange passage to the beyond.
They believe Daniela is dead. Elena sees the ghost again. Corina continues giving Elena the potion so that the witchcraft will take effect. Montecristo tries to seduce his brother's wife, stirring up fear.
Elena seems to be losing her mind because of the apparitions of the ghost of the woman who died in that house and who seeks Eduardo's love. Rebeca releases the feelings and passions she had long suppressed for Eduardo.
Elena begins to lose her sanity because of her rival's ghost. Eduardo downplays the apparitions of Elena Calcaño. Caught between courage and madness, Elena Lafé confronts Latoña and faces her reality head-on.
The war between Elena and Latoña has only just begun. Eduardo's wife has no idea who wants to get her out of the way—or why.
Montecristo offers his life to Elena. The harassment begins. Witchcraft surrounds Elena and her marriage. The ghost of the other Elena starts to become a deadly threat against the new Mrs. Girón.
Elena is trapped by her fears and discovers that she has a rival who wants to kill her from beyond the grave. But help arrives from above to support her. Rebeca discovers Darío's infidelity.
The police and Eduardo question Latoña about the disappearance of the body. Laura tries to force Elena out of the house. Elena feels unwell, and the test results reveal that she is pregnant. Latoña has Elena Calcaño's body.
Dulce is managing to weaken Margot. Eduardo has given Elena powers greater than Montecristo's at the hacienda. The witchcraft rituals continue. Laura also sees the ghost.
Darío and Dulce know that Rebeca knows the truth. Tomás remembers Margot. Daniela reappears, putting Latoña's life at risk with her violence.
Latoña orders that Daniela be taken to her house. Eduardo discovers that his workers are involved in shady dealings with the races, but he doesn't have exact details.
Margot and Tomás's reunion brings the whole truth about Elena Lafé to light—she is the granddaughter and heir to the great fortune that Dulce and Darío have been relentlessly seeking. Tomás renews his doubts about Eduardo's true intentions.
Eduardo and Montecristo get into a fight. Margot invites Tomás and his wife to stay at her house. Everyone finds out that Daniela is alive, and Elena once again doubts whether what they are seeing is truly the ghost of Elena.
Eduardo's son can identify the women who attacked him. Eduardo convinces Elena of his love, trying to put to rest her doubts about his interest in her fortune. Corina now becomes the victim of the ghost's games.
Elena decides to uncover the ghosts that haunt her by confronting the shadows of the past. She also embraces her new role as the heir to her grandmother's fortune. Margot names Elena, Tomás, and Mariela Lafé as her heirs—while Dulce overhears everything.
Margot gives her blessing to Eduardo and Elena. Laura is determined to find out what is really happening with Elena's ghost and discovers the diary. Corina steals from Rebeca. Dulce decides to win Tomás over. Kalima and Montecristo work on Benjamín.
Elena Calcaño's diary and its revelations about Eduardo plant doubts in his wife's mind. A romance blossoms between Dulce and Montecristo, forming a very dangerous alliance.
Mariela gets closer and closer to uncovering Dulce. Elena once again begins to doubt Eduardo's honesty. Laura forms an alliance with the detective and discovers a secret passageway.
Rebeca reveals Elena's pregnancy - a piece of news that begins to unsettle the Girón family. Dulce discovers who was responsible for her son's accident in order to report them to the authorities.
Elena becomes the cause of a fight to the death between Eduardo and Montecristo. Doubts awaken within the marriage, and a crisis fueled by jealousy erupts.
Elena decides to distance herself from Eduardo—doubt and jealousy prove stronger than love. An accident, seemingly triggered by the ghost, changes her plans. Rebeca confirms that Corina committed the theft. Daniela comes face to face with Elena Calcaño.
They believe Daniela was the one who pushed her down the stairs. Elena confronts her reality and the loss of her child alongside Eduardo, but she knows she must distance herself. Latoña reveals guilt and doubts surrounding a suspicious death.
Montecristo makes a very brief truce with Darío. Suspicion of murder falls on Eduardo—enough reason for Tomás to try to distance his daughter from the Girón family. Corina becomes a victim of her own witchcraft.
Elena confronts her doubts about Eduardo; however, her words imply that he is a murderer. Her suspicions wound Eduardo's heart and drive them further apart. Eduardo asks Leonor to look after her. Benjamín tortures Laura.
Darío brings up Margot's inheritance with Tulio, and Rebeca overhears them. Elena suffers a complication while riding Gitano, but Montecristo rescues her and Kalima heals her. Laura is tortured by Benjamín.
Eduardo announces to his family his decision to separate from Elena. Daniela returns to the Girón family table to impose her fears and madness, seeking the place she believes belongs to her.
Daniela's madness knows no limits—she starts a fire at the Girón mansion to take revenge on Eduardo and Elena, just as they decide to rekindle their love.
Elena Calcaño risks the Girón family's lives by trying to end everything in the flames. A new chapter begins for Eduardo with the return of both of his women.
The day of Margot's will reading arrives, and everyone is in for a big surprise. The twin appears, saying she has returned to stay. She apologizes for everything she did.
Eduardo and Elena Lafé's marriage is annulled. Latoña endures the twin's tortures. Eduardo expresses his desire to divorce Elena Calcaño. Elena sees the twin lying with Eduardo in the stable.
Elena Lafé suffers a betrayal she is not willing to forgive and decides to remove Eduardo from her life forever. She vows to take revenge and plans to use her fortune to carry it out.
Elena Lafé declares war on Eduardo by seizing his hacienda and humiliating him in front of Montecristo. It's a fight he has no intention of losing.
Elena's rage drives her to ask Montecristo to marry her, all fueled by her thirst for revenge against Eduardo. She knows her heart is slowly breaking.
Elena goes to the Girón mansion to take possession of what is hers, not imagining that her encounter with Eduardo could be decisive.
Elena and Eduardo are forced to share the house, because he has no intention of leaving it. The twin takes advantage of her rival's rejection to stir up jealousy.
Rebeca manages to escape from prison. Darío finds out that Tulio slept with Rebeca. Eduardo warns Elena about Montecristo.
Dulce makes Elena sign a power of attorney to take her money without her realizing it. Elena announces her engagement to Montecristo. Rebeca shows up before Tulio and blackmails him.
Elena discovers that she is pregnant with Eduardo's child. Montecristo hears from Elena herself that she does not love him. Latoña manages to ask for help.
Rebeca is caught by the police and, before being arrested, asks her daughter to order a DNA test on Grandma Margot. Montecristo boasts to Eduardo about his night of love with Elena.
Latoña's truths begin to expose the twin's cruelty. Alliances start to form amid the rivalry between the two Elenas. Eduardo confronts Elena Lafé. Montecristo learns that his wife is pregnant.
Elena receives news that threatens her revenge—she is expecting a child with the man she declared war on. She has no idea that her unborn child will become a weapon for her enemies, as the twin and Montecristo plot against her.
The idea of a pregnancy not only disrupts Elena's plans for revenge, but also becomes the twin's excuse to keep Eduardo by her side.
Elena's lies become the downfall of her revenge. Her pregnancy becomes Montecristo's excuse to challenge Eduardo, making revelations that do not belong to him.
Elena is about to reveal to Eduardo that he is the father of her child, but the news that the twin is expecting his baby changes her plans. The lies only fuel the revenge.
Elena and Eduardo confront each other over past lies and the heartbreak of a love that seems lost. Tomás's death comes to shatter his daughter's heart.
Eduardo tries to break the ice with Elena out of love, unaware that the twin arrives to shatter the magic. The family mourns Tomás's death.
Elena learns that her grandmother Margot may have been murdered. Eduardo will do the impossible to recover the hacienda. Elena fears for her life.
Elena has a confusing encounter with Eduardo—they go from anger to a kiss that reveals their feelings and becomes a declaration of love, but their pride dooms them.
The twin plans to steal Elena's baby with Montecristo's help. At the same time, Elena's other enemies are plotting to take away her fortune.
Darío distances himself from Dulce and Tulio's plans. Alan Martín becomes Elena's new head of security. Elena Calcaño threatens to go far away to give birth, away from Eduardo. Laura plants doubts in Eduardo's mind about Elena's pregnancy during a meeting with him.
Dulce wants to eliminate Elena to take everything for herself. The two Elenas argue over their pregnancies. Eduardo and Montecristo clash once again. Darío threatens Dulce. Eduardo begins to suspect that the child is his.
Elena asks Eduardo to leave the hacienda. Once again, witchcraft brings Daniela back, and she delivers a message warning everyone of the danger they are in. Daniela asks to speak with Elena Lafé.
Elena Lafé steps in to stop the duel of honor between Montecristo and Eduardo. Darío threatens Rebeca. Rebeca is released, but under guard.
Andrea's kidnapping, orchestrated by Dulce, leaves her on the brink of death. Darío can no longer control the situation with her. Tulio is also in danger.
Elena's lies about her child and her love for Eduardo prevent her from carrying out her revenge. Her two enemies, Elena Calcaño and Dulce, end up benefiting from the situation.
Elena makes it clear to Montecristo that she will never be able to love him, leaving him with the bitter taste of defeat. Eduardo begins to pay his debt through humiliation.
Elena wants to remove Eduardo and the twin from her life, even to the point of forgiving his debt in exchange for them leaving forever. But the revenge of a wounded man goes beyond her desire to love.
The twin's revenge is only just beginning. Elena is about to give birth amid Montecristo's sinister plans and Eduardo's doubts about whether he is truly the baby's father.
Elena's son is born, but the revenge plan unfolding leaves both mother and child on the brink of death. The twin prepares her move - and her own "delivery" with a stolen baby.
Elena discovers the supposed death of her son. Eduardo arrives to confront Montecristo and claim his rights.
Elena loses her way in the midst of a world of beasts, unaware of Eduardo's anguish. Dulce decides to eliminate her enemy by playing on his sexual instincts.
Eduardo discovers that Elena is alive, thanks to the clues given to him by some inmates. Montecristo reveals his intentions to Dulce and challenges her.
Eduardo catches sight of Ruth and her protégée and runs after them. Rebeca is shaken by the news about Andrea's health. The doctor says that only a miracle could save her.
Elena continues living in a reality that no one can understand; grief is slowly consuming her. Meanwhile, her enemies are searching for her to seize her inheritance.
The truth about Daniela's death comes to light through La Nena. Eduardo wants to clear up his doubts with Elena by taking a paternity test.
Elena's safety is in danger because of Kalima's closeness, as she seeks to get her out of the way. Eduardo is determined to defend his rightful wife.
Elena begins to remember details. Ruth's doubts about her protégée are clarified. Eduardo is the most eager for Elena to recover her memory. Montecristo passes judgment on his wife.
When Montecristo sets out to remove Elena from the path for good, Eduardo joins forces with Ruth to rescue her. During a magical encounter, Eduardo rekindles hope that Elena will recover.
Eduardo is determined to win Elena back, even knowing that his son has died. Montecristo wants to kill Ruth, unaware that she is Margot's sister.
Eduardo must choose between his heart and what is best for Elena, knowing that he may have to commit her so she can regain her sanity. Meanwhile, Dulce plans her final, ambitious move.
Fear takes hold of the twin as she hears her sister's voice tormenting her. She has decided to condemn Elena and Eduardo to death. Latoña is on the verge of confessing everything.
Latoña has an emotional encounter with Daniela's ghost. She asks her mother to fight against all odds so that everyone can learn the truth about the evil twin.
The twin arrives at Nina's house and confronts her enemies. She warns them that if she sees them again, she will kill them. Montecristo, Dulce, and the twin are close to getting away with their plan.
Elena trembles as she hears the twin's threats. Eduardo is willing to do anything to uncover the truth about Elena and their son. He tries to drown Montecristo to force him to reveal what happened.
Minutes before Andrea's wedding, the symptoms of her illness begin to show. Dulce sets her plan in motion to eliminate Elena and sneaks into the hospital as an intruder.
Elena survives Dulce's attack. When she wakes up, she reconnects with reality. At the altar, Andrea collapses. Her life could last several months—or just a few hours.
Elena's memory loss is a triumph for her enemies, but little by little she begins to remember details and uncover lies. Everyone waits to find out what Andrea's fate will be.
The twin is determined to kill Latoña; a chase begins and it causes a serious accident. But no body is found in the vehicle. Elena tries to start over, but Montecristo is stalking her.
Elena begins to fall into Montecristo's trap amid her memory lapse.
To save his daughter, Darío faces death. In the end, he reveals the secrets of his accomplices. Eduardo struggles with the fear of losing Elena forever. The twin seeks help from Dulce. Ruth takes control of her inheritance.
Elena's sensual games with Montecristo become dangerous. Her memory begins to return. Eduardo discovers that his son with Elena Lafé was stolen by the twin. Montecristo and Kalima kidnap Elena.
Montecristo kidnaps Elena to pressure Eduardo; this blackmail awakens his brother's fury and leaves the woman he loves hanging by a thread.
Two allies become enemies, and Elena becomes the source of conflict between Kalima and Montecristo. A future full of manipulation awaits Elena.
Dulce and the twin come up against a rival more cunning than they are. Ruth records a confession of their crimes. Elena is sexually assaulted by Montecristo.
To save Eduardo's life, Elena has to lie to the police and remain under Montecristo's control. Eduardo plans to take him out of the picture with a surprise.
Montecristo wants to finish off Eduardo in front of Elena's eyes. She is powerless, unable to save him. Darío dies in the midst of his repentance, seeking forgiveness.
Eduardo finds Montecristo's hideout and tries to rescue Elena. Montecristo's pact with the twin falls apart under threats.
Montecristo plays with fire between the mafia and his desire for Elena, continuing his illicit dealings. Eduardo plans a dangerous rescue.
Elena receives the only news that rekindles her will to live: her son Tomás is safe. She confronts Montecristo and is about to kill him. But Elena loses her nerve when she least expects it.
Eduardo decides to take justice into his own hands and confront Montecristo to rescue Elena. Montecristo has an ambitious plan with his mafia allies.
When everything seems to be happiness in the Girón family, Montecristo plans a final act of revenge to rid himself of his enemies. A threat looms over him.
When everything seems to be happiness for Elena, Dulce's freedom becomes her new nightmare. Dulce is allied with Montecristo.
The twin passes judgment and condemns the Girón family to a death without salvation. Eduardo doubles his efforts to protect himself from her and from Montecristo.
The twin keeps her promise by stealing Elena's son when no one expects it. Montecristo begins to savor the taste of revenge amid his passions.
The twin carries out her plan and takes Tomasito. Elena's motherly pain and Eduardo's suffering become a new trial, just when they thought they had overcome everything.
Montecristo, taking advantage of Elena's suffering, collects the ransom for Tomasito. Eduardo makes a few demands. A sentence handed down by his mafia group awaits Montecristo.
Dulce, Montecristo, and the twin join forces to take revenge on the Girón family. Elena and Eduardo fear a bomb that threatens their son.
The twin gets her way when she manages to gather an entire family gripped by panic. Everyone fears the bomb that threatens Tomasito.
The twin's bomb explodes. Elena suffers over losing the ones she loves. Dulce ultimately dies.
Montecristo becomes a victim of his own tortures and lies. Martín is determined to make him pay for his past crimes.
Elena's eyes reflect the pain in her soul and her thirst for revenge. She is ready to go up against her enemies.
Elena has a perfect and dangerous plan to destroy her enemies—she wants to avenge the deaths of her loved ones, but Eduardo steps in.
Chaparro finds the twin and tortures her to stop her plans and rescue Tomasito. Montecristo looks for a way to walk free and take revenge on his enemies once and for all.
Eduardo survived the terrible explosion, managed to save his son, and fate has a surprise in store for him. The twin seeks to escape from Chaparro's clutches and take revenge on Elena.
Elena meets with the mafia boss and ensnares him with her beauty in order to set a trap. With the help of a truck driver, the evil twin crosses the border with the baby.
Elena plays along with Ramiro's game, unaware of the mafia boss's evil intentions. Dulce suffers in agony on her deathbed and confesses that Tomasito was never dead.
Montecristo is murdered by Ramiro's men, and with him dies his thirst for revenge. Elena ends up in the hands of the bloodthirsty mafia boss.
Elena is rescued by the police from the mafia's clutches. She learns that her son and Eduardo are still alive. The twin threatens the family's happiness by using Tomasito as bait.
Elena and Eduardo go through desperate hours with the twin, as they continue searching for a way to get their son back.
The twin passes judgment on Elena's baby's life, directly threatening his parents. A game of lies, traps, and revenge unfolds.
Latoña recovers. Elena Calcaño remains confined in the sanatorium. Elena Lafé makes sure she never escapes again. The twin apparently dies. Elena and Eduardo have a baby girl and are happy—they feel as though they have known each other forever.