[1][2] The script was created by Dias Gomes —based on a play O Berço do Herói (Hero's Cradle)— and starred Regina Duarte, Lima Duarte, José Wilker, Lucinha Lins, Yoná Magalhães, Paulo Gracindo, Armando Bógus, Cássia Kis Magro, Elizângela, Fábio Júnior, Lídia Brondi, Cláudio Cavalcanti, Cláudia Raia, Lutero Luiz, Maurício Mattar, Eloísa Mafalda and Ary Fontoura.

[3] In the tiny poor town of Asa Branca, in the middle of Brazilian Northeast, Roque Santeiro is worshiped as a saint.

Meanwhile, mysterious facts surround Asa Branca, such as a Werewolf, a film crew who are trying to shoot a movie about Roque's story, and violent murderers.

In its premiere, Roque Santeiro acquired 68.0 Ibope Rating, considering the measurement for Greater São Paulo, eighteen points above the target set by Rede Globo that year.

In the scene where Sinhozinho Malta and Viúva Porcina say goodbye to Roque Santeiro, and leave Asa Branca, 100% of the Brazilian television sets were tuned on Rede Globo.