“Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” makes its global debut on Netflix today. This original Indonesian miniseries is set to captivate audiences by expanding the cherished narrative of the Broto family and their iconic guesthouse, a story that has resonated with Indonesians for decades.
The series continues to explore the intricate dynamics of family, heritage, and the daily rhythms involved in managing a beloved guesthouse nestled in the culturally rich city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This new chapter, however, sharpens its focus on the younger generation of the Broto family, promising an intimate look at the complex and often heart-wrenching challenges they face.
An Iconic 80s Series in Indonesia
The narrative’s origins trace back to the iconic “Losmen,” a television series that aired on the national public network TVRI in the 1980s. Created by Tatiek Maliyati and Wahyu Sihombing, “Losmen” became a beloved family drama, capturing the nation’s imagination with its portrayal of life within a traditional Javanese guesthouse.
Decades later, the Broto family was reintroduced to a new generation through the 2021 feature film, “Losmen Bu Broto.” Directed by Ifa Isfansyah and Eddie Cahyono, the film was a critical and popular success, earning multiple accolades, including Best Supporting Actress for Putri Marino at the 2022 Indonesian Film Festival, and praise for its heartwarming narrative.
The new Netflix series is positioned as a direct continuation, picking up where the film left off. This is not a remake but a deliberate expansion, designed to delve deeper into the lives and conflicts of the Broto family.
This journey—from a 1980s state television classic, through a successful cinematic revival, to a global Netflix miniseries—vividly illustrates the dynamic evolution of the Indonesian media landscape. The progression reflects not only the changing ways audiences consume content but also the growing international recognition and appetite for authentic Indonesian creative properties. What began as a national favorite on TVRI has now found a platform with worldwide reach, signaling a new era for Indonesian storytelling on the global stage.
The enduring appeal of the “Losmen” concept, adaptable across these different generations and mediums, speaks to the universality of its core themes. The original series was celebrated for its depiction of a “famous family bed and breakfast,” and the 2021 film translated these themes of family, community, and cultural identity for a contemporary audience, earning praise for its warmth and emotional resonance.
Charting a New Course in Yogyakarta
While “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” continues to revolve around the Broto family’s management of their beloved guesthouse in Yogyakarta, this new installment places an intensified focus on the personal struggles and romantic entanglements of its characters, particularly the family’s youngest son, Tarjo.
The central narrative thread follows Tarjo, played by Baskara Mahendra. He is depicted as feeling “overlooked” and is driven by a desire to “prove his worth at the family inn in Yogyakarta.” However, his forbidden love for an important, married guest puts everything to the test.
This “forbidden love” introduces a significant new conflict, with Tarjo becoming romantically involved with this new character, touching upon themes of age differences and the nuances of Indonesian culture.
Beyond this central romance, the series explores broader themes pertinent to contemporary family life: intergenerational dynamics, the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, the complexities inherent in running a family business, the clash between individual desires and familial expectations, and the universal search for personal identity. All these narrative threads will unfold against the rich and vibrant cultural backdrop of Yogyakarta.
Familiar Faces, New Dynamics, and Notable Absences
At the heart of “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” are the figures of Pak Broto and Bu Broto, with Mathias Muchus and Maudy Koesnaedi reprising their roles from the 2021 film. Their return provides a crucial thread of continuity, anchoring the family narrative. For Muchus, this connection runs even deeper, as he famously played the character of Tarjo in the original 1980s “Losmen” series, creating a unique bridge across the intellectual property’s history.
The series, however, shifts its primary focus to the younger generation. Baskara Mahendra takes on the pivotal role of Mas Tarjo, the youngest son whose emotional journey forms the core of this new chapter. Joining him in significant roles are Ayushita Nugraha, Wulan Guritno, and Sisca Saras, alongside Febby Rastanty, Marthino Lio (reprising his film role as Jarot), Indra Birowo, and Erick Estrada. Their characters are expected to be integral to the unfolding drama within and around the losmen.
A notable point of discussion for viewers familiar with the 2021 film will be the absence of Maudy Ayunda, who played Jeng Sri, and Putri Marino, who portrayed Mbak Pur. Both actresses delivered memorable performances in the movie. Kompas.com has addressed this directly, featuring articles with headlines such as: “Maudy Ayunda and Putri Marino Not in Losmen Bu Broto Series, Producer Explains.” Producer Robert Ronny offered insight into this decision, stating, “When we obtained the rights to this IP, we spent years developing character arcs and story continuity for the series. For now, the focus is on Tarjo’s character.” Producer Andi Boediman also shared with Kompas.com that the idea for the series and its new narrative challenges began to form during discussions on the film’s promotional tour.
This deliberate refocusing on the children’s roles, particularly the shift away from the film’s prominent sibling dynamics involving Jeng Sri and Mbak Pur, is a significant creative choice.
Mathias Muchus’s enduring involvement is particularly symbolic. His transition from playing the young Tarjo in the 1980s to portraying the patriarch Pak Broto in the modern film and now the series creates a powerful, almost meta-narrative bridge across the generations of the “Losmen” story. He beautifully embodies the evolution of the IP and the cyclical nature of family sagas.
Behind the Scenes of the Miniseries
The task of bringing this new installment of the “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” saga to the screen falls to Paragon Pictures, the production house also behind the successful 2021 film. Their continued involvement suggests a commitment to maintaining a certain level of production quality and a deep understanding of the IP’s essence.
In terms of creative leadership, the series benefits from a blend of familiar and new talent. Ifa Isfansyah, who co-directed the 2021 film, returns to direct the series, this time sharing duties with Arwin Tri Wardhana. The screenplay is penned by Alim Sudio, who also co-wrote the film, in collaboration with Titien Wattimena. This combination of returning creative minds, who understand the established tone and characters, with new collaborators suggests a deliberate strategy. Their aim is to preserve the core essence of “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” that audiences love, while also infusing fresh creative energy and perspectives tailored to the demands of an episodic series format, which differs significantly from the pacing and structure of a feature film.
Authenticity remains a cornerstone of the production. The series is filmed in the Indonesian language and is set, like its predecessors, in the culturally rich city of Yogyakarta. This commitment to an authentic Indonesian voice and setting is crucial to its identity. The nuanced use of Javanese-Indonesian accents, which was a point of praise for the 2021 film, is likely to continue, further enriching the viewing experience.
The Netflix Glocal Formula: Blending Local with Universal Themes
For those who appreciated the 2021 film or hold a nostalgic affection for the original 1980s TV show, the series promises a welcome return. The familiar comfort of Pak and Bu Broto’s presence and the enduring charm of the losmen setting will undoubtedly resonate.
For international audiences, this series serves as an engaging and accessible gateway to contemporary Indonesian drama. As Netflix continues its push to showcase diverse Indonesian stories, “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” offers a narrative rich in cultural nuances yet grounded in universal themes of family, love, and personal growth. The critical acclaim for the film’s warmth and cultural authenticity suggests the series will carry forward this appealing quality.
Viewers who appreciate character-driven family sagas and emotionally resonant dramas will find much to connect with. The series’ focus on intergenerational relationships, individual struggles for identity, and the complexities of romantic entanglements places it firmly within this beloved genre.
“Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” artfully attempts to blend nostalgia with modernity. It balances the established warmth of a cherished legacy with fresh, contemporary conflicts, particularly through Tarjo’s storyline. This duality makes it relevant and appealing to a wide audience, bridging generational tastes.
Furthermore, the series offers a genuine opportunity for cultural immersion. The vibrant setting of Yogyakarta is more than just a picturesque backdrop; it’s an integral character in the story, providing viewers with a glimpse into Indonesian life, traditions, and aesthetics.
Ultimately, “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series” seems poised to capitalize on the “comfort watch” phenomenon—offering the warmth and familiarity associated with the “Losmen” name (akin to “soul-warming home cooking”)—while also delivering enough dramatic intrigue through new storylines like Tarjo’s “forbidden love” to keep viewers deeply engaged. This careful blend of the familiar and the novel has proven a successful formula for many family-oriented dramas on streaming platforms.
This premiere offers a fresh opportunity to engage with a beloved Indonesian narrative, reimagined and expanded for a new era. Whether a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the world of Losmen Bu Broto, the series invites viewers to immerse themselves in a story of family, love, and the enduring spirit of a Yogyakarta guesthouse.
Where to Watch “Losmen Bu Broto: The Series”
