News

A highly anticipated LGBTQ+ musical series (“Mariliendre”), a psychological thriller involving a standout U.S. indie producer-distributor (“Innate”) and a pre-sales hit period drama (“La Favorita 1922”) feature in Coming Next from Spain, a showcase of newest Spanish premium content.

Unspooling March 25 at Series Mania, organized by Icex Spain Trade and Investment’s umbrella organization, Audiovisual from Spain, the event targets buyers and international press, putting the spotlight on some of the most promising Spanish series produced by the country’s top leading companies.

Spain and its content have become a worldwide phenomenon. Think megahits “Money Heist” and “Elite,” which started conquering the TV fiction market seven years ago.

That fire left embers, as proved by recent hits such as the first season of “Berlin,” a “Money Heist” spin-off, toplining Pedro Alonso.

Released Dec. 2023 via Netflix, “Berlin’s” debut was the most-watched series globally upon its premiere, reaching the Top...

“La Favorita 1922” has pre-sold 20-plus territories in Europe and the Americas, including a pick-up by PBS streaming service Walter Presents for U.S. and Canada, Spain’s Mediterráneo Mediaset España Group announced Monday.

The announcement came just hours before the series’ March 17 commercial bow on Telecinco, Spanish broadcast network’s Mediaset España’s main channel, and days before “La Favorita 1922” hits Series Mania’s Forum over March 24-27 as Mediterráneo’s banner sales title.

In further deals, Mediterráneo, the international distribution arm of Mediaset España, has closed Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay with Flow, Telecom Argentina telco streaming service, while licensing to Belgium (Proximus), Lithuania (Lithuanian National Radio and TV), and Poland, one of the most robust of markets in Europe.

Set in a 1922 Madrid of often stunning Belle Epoque architecture, “La Favorita 1922” follows Seville’s Marquise Elena de Valmonte, who battles to turn an abandoned restaurant into the capital’s finest eatery.

Homing in on one of the key Spanish titles which could move the box office needle, Film Factory Ent. has jumped on worldwide sales rights to multifaceted romantic tragicomedy “Always Winter” (“Siempre es invierno”) the latest movie from David Trueba, a consummate film director and journalist and celebrated novelist hailed by France’s Le Figaro as the “wonder boy of the Iberian cultural scene.”

Film Factory has also shared in exclusivity with Variety a first-look still from the film.

First presented at September’s San Sebastian, “Always Winter” reunites Film Factory with Trueba, actor David Verdaguer and Ikiru Films, Atresmedia Cine and La Terraza Films, sales agent, co-writer and director, star and producers of 2023’s “Jokes & Cigarettes,” which broke out to an appreciable €891,991 at Spanish theaters. Verdaguer, the lead in “Always Winter,” went on to win the 2024 Spanish Academy best actor Goya for his performance in “Jokes & Cigarettes.

Paramount+ on Tuesday announced Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, a new documentary that will peer behind the Black Sabbath frontman’s public persona to reveal the devastating setbacks he has faced in recent years amid a number of health issues.

Currently in production, the project is slated to premiere on Paramount+ later this year. It’s said to spotlight Ozzy Osbourne like you’ve never seen before, detailing how the singer’s world shuddered to a halt six years ago, forcing him to contemplate who he really is, confront his own mortality and question whether or not he can ever perform on stage for one last time. Addressing his health issues and impact of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, the film showcases the central role music continues to play in Ozzy’s life, also proving his mischievous sense of humor remains resolutely intact, despite it all.

Directed by BAFTA winner Tania Alexander,...

On Wednesday February 19 2025, BET broadcasts Diarra From Detroit!

The House on Blaine Season 1 Episode 8 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Diarra From Detroit,” titled “The House on Blaine,” promises to be filled with suspense and drama. In this episode, Diarra and her friend Danger stumble upon a surprising secret at Deonte’s grave. This discovery could change everything for them and the people around them. Fans of the show will be eager to see what this shocking find means for the characters.

In another twist, Diarra takes the initiative to bring together the Woodward Boys and the Greeks. This meeting is expected to be tense, as past conflicts between the two groups come to the surface. The stakes are high, and viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they witness the unfolding events.

The episode builds up to a dramatic confrontation at Velvet’s house. With emotions running high and tensions flaring,...

In the upcoming episode of “Diarra From Detroit,” titled “The House on Blaine,” viewers can expect an intense and gripping storyline. This episode, airing at 10:00 Pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Diarra and Danger stumble upon a shocking revelation at Deonte’s grave, which could change everything they thought they knew. The emotional weight of this discovery will surely resonate with fans, adding depth to the characters’ journeys.

As tensions rise, Diarra takes charge by orchestrating a meeting between the Woodward Boys and the Greeks. This bold move sets the stage for an explosive confrontation at Velvet’s house. The stakes are high, and the potential for violence looms large, making it clear that alliances are fragile in this world. The episode is likely to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of choices made in the heat of the moment.

Wide-eyed expectant mother Pilar takes up residence at an idyllic domed birthing retreat after a climate-fuelled crisis leads to a toxic atmosphere. She is introduced to Valle, the engineer tasked with looking after the women, and comes to senses the serene refuge holds a set of macabre secrets, nothing as it seems.

“Sanctuary” (“Santuario”), the first co-production between Spain’s internationally ambitious Atresmedia TV and Carolina Bang and Alex de la Iglesia at Madrid’s Banijay-backed Pokeepsie Films (“30 Coins”), merges a not-so-implausible, ominous backdrop with strong female leads to showcase the breadth of feminine resolve in the face of clear and present danger, all with a gripping tension.

“Four years ago, we loved the podcast. The story was so powerful and well-crafted that turning it into a series was something that happened very naturally,” Montse García, director of fiction at Atresmedia, told Variety. “We’ve collaborated with the creators...

During his lifetime, David Lynch was nominated twice for the Writers Guild of America Awards but never won. Weeks before his death, however, he was able to accept a recognition that will be officially bestowed in February.

During its 2025 awards ceremony, the Writers Guild of America West will posthumously present the Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet writer-director with a lifetime achievement prize, the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, the union stated Wednesday. The award recognizes union members who have “advanced the literature of motion pictures and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the screenwriter,” with past recipients including Charlie Kaufman, Nancy Meyers and Budd Schulberg.

While the presentation will happen at the Feb. 15 ceremony, with frequent Lynch collaborator Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet) bestowing the honor, Lynch was able to receive the prize in late 2024 before his death on Jan. 16, according to the union.

“Writer-director David Lynch’s...

“Cable Girls” lead Yon Gonzalez and Samantha Siqueiros, from “Money Heist” prequel “Berlin,” are set to topline Telemundo’s remake of Spanish hit series “Velvet.” They are joined by Ecuador’s Danilo Carrera, whose credits include “Sed de Venganza” and “Hijas de la Luna.”

The original “Velvet” is a 2014 Spanish drama series produced by Bambú Productions for Atresmedia Televisión. Created by Ramon Campos and Gema R. Neira, the show is set in the world of fashion and delves into themes of love, family and ambition. Spanning four seasons, it received acclaim for its depiction of the era’s glamorous lifestyle.

The main plot revolves around the “impossible” romance between Alberto Márquez, heir of Galerías Velvet, one of the most prominent fashion houses of that era, and Ana who works as a seamstress there.

Telemundo’s new version is a multi-episode telenovela format, set in present-day New York. It will be...

Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg opens up about the loss of David Lynch.

Per Variety, Spielberg joined the numerous Hollywood icons who have publicly mourned the tragic death of David Lynch. "I loved David’s films," Spielberg stated. "Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Elephant Man defined him as a singular, visionary dreamer who directed films that felt handmade,” Spielberg said in a statement. “I got to know David when he played John Ford in The Fabelmans. Here was one of my heroes—David Lynch playing one of my heroes. It was surreal and seemed like a scene out of one of David’s own movies. The world is going to miss such an original and unique voice. His films have already stood the test of time and they always will."

Related David Lynch's 38-Year-Old Oscar-Nominated Thriller Gets New Streaming Home

One of David Lynch's most polarizing motion pictures is headed to...

David Lynch was a master of making audiences squirm and question reality with his eerie, unsettling work. He didn’t just push boundaries in cinema; he tore down the walls entirely. Whether you’re haunted by Blue Velvet, tempted by Mulholland Drive, or still trying to make sense of Twin Peaks, the late director has a way of planting his surreal seed in your mind, making you wonder: What just happened?

David Lynch | Credit: Sasha Kargaltsev/Cc-by-2.0/Wikimedia Commons

So, when we recently learned that Lynch had one last project up his sleeve, our excitement shot through the roof. For a man known for twisting the narrative and defying expectations, it seemed fitting that his swan song would be something equally bizarre—a surreal animated film titled Snootworld. But Netflix, the streaming giant with an almost endless appetite for new content, turned it down.

When Netflix rejected David Lynch’s...

There are certain artists who are so visionary, so daring in their originality, whose work casts such a primal and enduring spell that it literally becomes hard to imagine the world without them. David Lynch, who died this week at 78, was one of those artists. Just to say that name, David Lynch (so ironic in its simplicity), is to conjure not merely a roster of immortal movies but a higher cosmos of the imagination: a darkly transfixing surrealist theme park where dreams could become real and reality felt like a dream.

Lynch, in his fearless way, reinvented movies, letting the avant-garde rapture of his brain flower into an aesthetic that turned the tropes of Hollywood inside out. My first encounter with a Lynch movie came in 1977, when I was in college and one of our campus film societies had the inspiration to put a giant image of the title character...

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

If you’re looking to revisit some of David Lynch’s most seminal works following the iconic director-writer’s death on Thursday morning, there are a variety of box sets online featuring his expansive film collection.

Lynch radicalized American film with a dark, surrealistic artistic vision in films like “Blue Velvet” “Mulholland Drive” and “Lost Highway,” and continued to meld elements of horror, film noir, the whodunit and classical European surrealism in the ’90s TV show “Twin Peaks.” Now, nearly all of his films are available in 4K in recently-released Blu-ray sets, in addition to an upcoming 4K re-release of “Twin Peaks,” available to pre-order on Amazon now.

Seven of Lynch’s films are 4K restored on Criterion, all of which include bonus content, deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes short films: “Blue Velvet,...

David Lynch, the trailblazing filmmaker and artist who made the familiar strange and the unfamiliar terrifying, has died at the age of 78.

“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch,” according to a statement released Thursday on Facebook. “We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.'”

“It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way,” the statement concluded, referencing his cherished weather reports.

Since 2020, Lynch had been suffering from emphysema, which had left him confined to his house and relying on supplemental oxygen. According to Deadline, he was recently forced to relocate from his Los Angeles-area house due to the...

Actor-director Daniel Auteuil and key “Emilia Perez” collaborator Jean-Baptiste Pouilloux have set up their next features with Les Films Velvet, the auteur-focused production outfit behind this year’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris opener “The Musicians” as well as Rebecca Zlotowski’s upcoming, Jodie Foster-led thriller “Vie Privée.”

After last year’s Cannes-launched legal thriller “An Ordinary Case,” Auteuil will step back behind the camera for the World War II drama “Une Nuit” (“One Night”). Co-written by Auteuil and filmmaker Camille Lugan (“The Book of Joy”), the film follows the incredible true story of a 1942 effort to rescue more then one hundred Jewish children from a deportation camp just outside of Lyon. Les Films Velvet’s Frederic Jouve will produce alongside Adrien Nussenbaum.

An in-demand assistant director who has worked closely with Jacques Audiard, Zlotowski and Nadav Lapid, Pouilloux most recently led second unit on “Emilia Perez” before directing the Canal Plus series “Iris.

David Lynch's mind-bending Blue Velvet is headed to a new streaming home for the new year.

Per Max, 1986's Blue Velvet will be making its way to the streaming giant on January 1. This marks the latest entry from the acclaimed auteur's filmography to become a part of the Max catalog, with 1977's Eraserhead and 1992's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me having both already premiered on the platform previously.

Related The Lost Boys: Part of Santa Cruz Wharf Made Famous by Beloved Vampire Film Collapses Into Ocean

One of Hollywood's most iconic locales is lost to swelling storm tides as 150 feet of the Santa Cruz Wharf sinks into the Pacific Ocean.

Lynch's fourth feature film, Blue Velvet starred Kyle MacLachlan as college student Jeffrey Beaumont, who happens into a sprawling crime drama by sheer happenstance. The film also starred Isabella Rossellini as Dorothy Vallens, a lounge singer...

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2 included one scene as a homage to director David Lynch, who directed the 1984 version of the film. Lynch’s Dune was an underwhelming film in many aspects and even the legendary director tried to distance himself from the film. When Villeneuve made the Dune remake, Lynch vowed that he would never see it because it was still a sore spot for him.

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Interestingly, Villeneuve used inspiration in Dune 2 from a different Lynch film. Lynch worked on Blue Velvet right after the commercial failure of Dune. While the film’s explicit content was subject to a lot of criticism, the director received his second Academy Award nomination for Best Director for the film.

Denis Villeneuve Took Inspiration From A David Lynch Movie For A Scene In Dune: Part 2 Isabella Rossellini...

Telemundo has acquired the rights to adapt Atresmedia’s Spanish drama “Velvet.”

The network is set to adapt “Velvet,” which explored love, ambition and family dynamics within a 1950s Spanish fashion house, into a modern-day series, this time bringing the action to New York City. With production taking place at Telemundo Studios in Miami, the new series is slated to debut in 2025.

By setting the TV series in the modern era, Telemundo hopes to “revive this classic tale into a contemporary drama series, filled with unforgettable characters and plots that define great love stories,” per the official release.

“We are thrilled to bring this beloved series to our audience, with its universal themes and compelling narrative that make it a perfect addition to our diverse programming lineup,” Telemundo Studios EVP Javier Pons said in a statement. “With ‘Velvet,’ we continue to strengthen Telemundo’s content strategy with drama series that...

On Sunday November 17 2024, PBS broadcasts Velvet!

In Between Two Women Season 1 Episode 5 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “In Between Two Women,” promises to be an engaging exploration of relationships and secrets. Set to air on PBS, this episode centers around Ana and Cristina as they embark on a quest to find the perfect birthday gift for Alberto. Their friendship and creativity will be put to the test as they navigate through various options, hoping to choose something that truly reflects their feelings for him.

Meanwhile, Rita faces her own challenges as she struggles to cover for her sister Clara. Clara’s actions put Rita in a tough position, especially since Clara is cheating on Pedro. The tension is likely to rise as Rita tries to balance her loyalty to her sister with the growing strain of keeping secrets. This storyline adds an element of drama, highlighting the...

On Monday November 11 2024, PBS broadcasts Velvet!

The Designer Season 1 Episode 4 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “The Designer,” promises to bring a mix of romance and tension to the screen. In this episode, viewers will see Alberto continuing his affair with Ana, which adds a layer of complexity to their relationship. The emotional stakes are high as Alberto navigates his feelings and the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, Pedro’s girlfriend finds herself drawn to Alberto’s assistant, which introduces a new dynamic to the story. This unexpected attraction could lead to complications, as feelings become tangled between the characters. The episode will explore how these relationships evolve and the impact they have on each person’s life.

In a different storyline, Luisa faces significant challenges as she pays a high price for the support of Don Francisco. This situation highlights the struggles and sacrifices that characters make in pursuit of their goals.

The upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “In Between Two Women,” promises to be an exciting blend of drama and heartfelt moments. Set to air at 11:05 Pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024, on PBS, this fifth episode of the season will dive into the complexities of relationships and the challenges that come with them.

In this episode, Ana and Cristina are on a mission to find the perfect birthday gift for Alberto. Their friendship will be tested as they navigate through various ideas, each reflecting their feelings for him. The hunt for the ideal present will lead to some unexpected twists, showcasing the bond between the two women and their differing perspectives on love and friendship.

Meanwhile, Rita faces her own struggles as she tries to cover for her sister Clara, who is caught up in a secret affair with Pedro. The tension builds as Rita juggles loyalty to her sister while...

In the upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “The Designer,” viewers can expect a thrilling continuation of the complex relationships that have been unfolding. Alberto’s pursuit of Ana intensifies, adding layers of tension and passion to the storyline. As their affair deepens, the stakes rise, and the consequences of their actions become more significant. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the path to happiness is fraught with challenges.

Meanwhile, Pedro’s girlfriend finds herself drawn to Alberto’s assistant, creating a new dynamic that could lead to unexpected complications. This budding romance adds another layer of intrigue to the episode, as loyalties are tested and feelings evolve in unexpected ways. The intertwining relationships promise to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Additionally, Luisa’s situation takes a dramatic turn as she pays a high price for the support of Don Francisco. This subplot highlights the sacrifices characters...

Celebrate Halloween all weekend long with “Phish Radio’s Musical Costume Marathon”! Hear the band play live album cover sets from some of their favorite artists exclusively on Phish Radio (Ch. 29) from October 31 through November 3.

In addition, fans can keep the celebration going with “Phish’s Halloween History,” a new special featuring all the band members introducing highlights from their illustrious musical costume tradition and sharing exclusive insight into their iconic album cover sets. Listen exclusively on the SiriusXM app now.

Phish RadioThe Phish multiverse, 24/7Listen on the App

Listen on the App

Phish Radio’s Musical Costume Marathon Broadcast Schedule (all times Et) Thursday, October 31

12am The Bunny’s Halloween Freakout

4am 10.31.94 Glens Falls, NY (Beatles’ White Album)

6am 10.31.21 Las Vegas, Nv (Sci-Fi Soldier)

8am 10.31.95 Rosemont, Il (The Who’S Quadrophenia)

12pm 10.31.10 Atlantic City, NJ (Little Feat’S Waiting For Columbus)

2pm 10.31.96 Atlanta, Ga (Talking Heads’ Remain In Light)

4pm 10.31.16 Las Vegas,...

In the upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “Nothing Is That Easy,” viewers will find themselves drawn deeper into the world of fashion and personal struggles. Set to air on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10:00 Pm on PBS, this episode promises to be filled with tension and drama.

Alberto is at a crossroads as he pins all his hopes on the new collection. He believes that a successful launch could be the key to paying off his debts to Gerardo. This financial burden weighs heavily on him, especially as it ties into his complicated feelings for Cristina. The stakes are high, and Alberto’s desire to break free from his engagement adds another layer of urgency to the situation.

As the episode unfolds, viewers will witness the challenges Alberto faces in the cutthroat fashion world. Will his new collection be the success he desperately needs? The episode is set to explore themes of ambition,...

When Eddie Murphy debuted on SNL in 1980, he instantly became the show’s biggest star — in large part because of the characters he created. And it definitely was characters, as in plural, as in many more than just one. In fact, they’ve transcended era, too, as they’ve remained some of the most well-known in SNL history, particularly Gumby, Buckwheat, Mr. Robinson and Murphy’s take on James Brown.

For the most part, Murphy crafted them with the help of the writing duo Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield, both of whom would later play a big part in Murphy’s film career, writing Coming to America, Nutty Professor and several other of his movies.

I recently caught up with Blaustein about his time writing with Murphy on SNL, who, during our call, shared the financial advice James Brown gave Murphy, why Gumby’s creator loved Murphy’s twist...

In the upcoming episode of “Velvet,” titled “Nothing Is That Easy,” viewers will see Alberto facing a crucial moment in his life. The pressure is on as he hopes that the new collection will not only impress the fashion world but also help him settle his debts with Gerardo. This collection represents more than just business; it symbolizes Alberto’s chance to regain control over his life and break free from his engagement to Cristina.

As the episode unfolds, the stakes become higher. Alberto’s dreams of success are intertwined with his personal struggles, creating a tense atmosphere. The fashion house is buzzing with excitement and anxiety as everyone waits to see if the collection will be a hit. Alberto’s determination will be put to the test, and the outcome could change everything for him.

Fans of “Velvet” can expect a mix of drama, ambition, and heartfelt moments. The...

One of Spain’s leading export powers, Mediterráneo, the film-tv international distribution arm of leading broadcast network Mediaset España, has hit Mipcom with one of its strongest slates in recent years.

This is led by “La Favorita 1922,” its first collaboration with Bambú Producciones, the Studiocanal-owned production house behind titles that have helped revolutionize Spanish scripted, such as “Grand Hotel,” “Velvet” and daily series “The Vow.”

Also brought to market are “Detective Romi” and “El Marqués” as Mediterráneo hit several growth axes in Spain and abroad: Modern melodramas with ultra-high production values (“La Favorita”), “lighter” procedurals and true-event-based crime stories. In the case of the latter, Mediterráneo is exploiting larger Spanish trends. According to The Wit, Spain is the number two country in Europe for fiction based on true events.

Mediterráneo also houses companies owned or part-owned by Mediaset España such as Telecinco Cinema, whose credits include “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Impossible,...

The Longest Night season 2 is the long-awaited next chapter in the Spanish Netflix series and with an ending like the one in season 1, fans have high expectations for what comes next. One of many notable Spanish-language TV series streaming on Netflix, The Longest Night was created by Vctor Sierra and Xos Morais and premiered on July 8, 2022, for six episodes. A prison-themed television show, The Longest Night, or La noche ms larga in the original Spanish, stars Luis Callejo as Simn Lago, a prisoner in the Prison of Monte Baruca on Christmas Eve.

Lago, also known as "The Alligator", is a notorious serial killer who is captured under suspicious circumstances and sent to a psychiatric hospital rather than a maximum security prison. Prison warden, Hugo Roca (Alberto Ammann), is called away from Christmas Eve dinner with his three children to watch over his transfer. However, once there, an armed rescue team arrives for Lago,...

Val Kilmer always wanted to be an actor, so he took his craft incredibly seriously. One of his earliest notable theater appearances was playing Hotspur in a 1981 production of Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part 1." This led to his securing the role of Alan in a production of "The Slab Boys," wherein he acted opposite fellow future stars Kevin Bacon, Jackie Earle Haley, and Sean Penn. Kilmer was so devoted to "The Slab Boys" that he turned down a role in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of "The Outsiders."

Some may see that as a foolish career decision, but Kilmer instead made his feature film debut in the 1984 Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker slapstick comedy "Top Secret!," one of the best comedies of all time. Kilmer has admitted, however, that he didn't have much fun making "Top Secret!" because he was still hung up on the fineries of his classical theater education. It seems that he...

“Artistock Game” Cj Enm

The new shiny-floor music show from Korean powerhouse Cj Enm. Viewers receive virtual game money to invest in a choice of 48 artists ranging from the indie scene to K-pop. Only one winner with the highest stock price remains at the end. Broadcast in Korea by Cj Enm-owned pay TV channel Mnet.

“A Better Place” Studiocanal

A social-issue thriller from Komplizen Serien, the TV arm of “Spencer” producer Komplizen Film, and Studiocanal Series, its first German show. In Rheinstadt, a gray-skied post-industrial city, its progressive mayor and a criminal law expert close a local correctional facility, reintegrating its inmates into society. The fates of the ex-cons steadily intertwine with that of Rheinstadt itself. This eight-episode series is backed by European heavyweights Canal + and Ard.

“The Big Jump” Atresmedia Intl. Sales

One of Atresmedia’s biggest bets at Mipcom, this biopic series follows Spanish gymnast Gervasio Deferr...

Global sensation “Call My Agent!” is set for a glamorous Spanish-language adaptation starring two-time Goya Award winner Javier Gutiérrez,, Marta Hazas and Goya winner Manuela Velasco (“Velvet”).

The Madrid-set series is being produced by Mediawan’s well-established Spanish outfit Good Mood, whose previous credits include “I’m Alive,” “The Fence,” “The Accident” and “Deudas.” Mediaset Espana’s Telecinco is co-producing the show and has commissioned it.

Filming will kick off in two weeks on location in Madrid. Daniel Écija, the revered founder of Good Mood who has more than 30 series and eight films under his belt, is executive producing “The Agencia.” The rest of the cast and cameos will be announced at a later stage.

The original French series, titled “10 Pour Cent,” smashed ratings throughout four seasons on local broadcaster France Televisions, as well as ranked as the most watched shows on Netflix under its English title “Call My Agent.

Unspooling in Cadiz over Oct. 25-31, the South International Series Festival is a bellwether on trends and highlights for the current season. What could be some of its star performers? Following, 10 titles to track, which also often say something about the way the market is going.

“The Big Jump” (Atresmedia International Sales)

One of Atresmedia’s biggest bets at Mipcom, a biopic series about the rise to Olympic Gold Medals at Sydney and Athens of Spanish gymnast Gervasio Deferr and, in a second timeline, his descent into drugs and alcohol, incapable of accepting failure in competition and lost when retired. Oscar Casas plays Deferr, with “Gangs of Galicia” helmer Roger Gual directs. An Atresplayer Original Series, bowing on Nov. 17.

“La Favorita 1922” (Mediterraneo)

From “Grand Hotel” through “Velvet” and “Cable Girls,” Ramon Campos’ Studiocanal j.v. Bambu Producciones has carved out its international reputation, creating modern gender-agenda melodramas that make...

San Sebastian — At one of the biggest industry gatherings at this year’s San Sebastián Festival, Netflix has announced new Spanish movies from “Cable Girls” showrunner Ramón Campos and “Cross the Line” director David Victori, as it unveiled new talent details on four other banner titles.

Produced by Ramón Campos at his Madrid-based label Bambú Producciones, also behind “Grand Hotel,” “Velvet” and “Fariña,” and directed by Carlos Sedes “The Asunta Case,” “Cable Girls”), murder mystery “La Viuda Negra” begins with a body stabbed seven times is discovered in a car park in Valencia. The prime suspect for the city’s Homicide Group is Maje, the dead man’s Maje, young and kind widow to whom the deceased had been married for less than a year.

Billed as a psychological thriller, Victori’s “Cortafuego” is produced by Anxo Rodríguez y Ferrán Tomás of ESpotlight Media and stars a topnotch cast of Joaquín Furriel,...

The Sandman season 2 cast brings back most of the major characters from the first season, while adding some important new names and faces to continue the Neil Gaiman storyline into its next chapter. Originally released in 1996, The Sandman comics told the story of Morpheus, also known as Dream, the ruler of the Dreaming. As one of the Endless, Dream is the being responsible for bringing dreams and nightmares into the minds of humans the true figure behind the folk tales of the Sandman. However, when a wizard captures him, he ends up imprisoned for 70 years, eventually escaping to find his entire realm has fallen to ruins.

The first season of the Netflix adaptation saw Morpheus reclaiming the dreams and nightmares that escaped to the real world, including the Corinthian, who became a serial killer. The story of Sandman season 2 will encompass The Seasons of Mists, which is one of the...

La Termita Films, the production label of double San Sebastian Golden Shell winners Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo, has struck a production alliance with Accidental Films, the newly formed label founded by Sara Gonzalo, managing director over 2011-24 of production powerhouse Bambu Producciones.

The alliance catches Lacuesta and Campo at new career highs, Lacuesta having directed Berlin competition player “One Year, One Night” and “Saturn Return,” a Spanish Film and Direction winner at March’s Malaga Festival; Campo co-wrote Iciar Bollain’s anticipated “I’m Nevenka,” which world premieres in San Sebastian main competition this weekend.

Gonzalo served as general manager at Bambú when it moved into ever larger industrial propositions from 2011-13’s “Grand Hotel” to “Velvet” (2013-15), “Cable Girls” (2017-20) and “Fariña” (2018), driving an acceptance in international of original Spanish series without the need to be dubbed into neutral Spanish in Latin America.

She is joined at Accidental,...

In 1986, David Lynch came bursting back into the world of surrealist, nightmare-inducing cinema with Blue Velvet. The discomforting thriller finds a young man, Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan), lured into the mysterious underworld of violence and depravity lurking beneath an idyllic American town. Lynch and MacLachlan had worked together once before on Lynch's previous movie, Dune. The original film adaptation of Dune was considered by many to be a catastrophe. Still, it birthed a long-running creative partnership between MacLachlan and Lynch, who would work together many times over between feature films and Twin Peaks.

Julián Ortega, actor in the international Spanish-language Netflix drama series “Elite,” died Sunday at 41 years old. The star collapsed after experiencing cardiac arrest while visiting a beach.

“From the Unión de Actores y Actrices, we send our most sincere condolences to the actor’s family and friends,” the Spanish Union of Actors and Actresses wrote in its obituary for Ortega, confirming the news of his death.

Earlier reports seemingly alluded to Ortega dying from drowning, but it was later reported that he collapsed on the shore of Zahora beach in Barbate. Paramedics spent about 30 minutes trying to resuscitate Ortega.

Ortega was born in Madrid, Spain in 1983. He was best known for playing the manager of the “La Cabana” restaurant in six episodes of Netflix’s successful Spanish-language drama, “Elite,” which premiered in 2018. The series was centered on a group of working-class teens who enroll in a private school and end...

Julian Ortega, who appeared on Netflix’s Elite and a variety of other TV shows over the years, has tragically passed away at the age of 41.

He reportedly collapsed while at a beach in Spain over the weekend, TMZ reports. Lifeguards tried their best to revive him, but he tragically passed. Initially, reports suggested he had drowned, but it’s now being revealed that he suffered from cardiac arrest.

Head inside to find out more information…

On Elite, Julian portrayed the manager of the restaurant La Cabana for several episodes in 2018. He has also been featured in many other Spanish-language shows like 4 Estrellas, The Countryside, Untameable, Velvet, Nunc et in Hora, Caronte, and more.

Our thoughts are with Julian Ortega‘s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time. Rip.

Date: February 19th, 2024, David Lynch orders a milkshake. It is 2:30 p.m., and that is precisely when he sits down at Bob’s Big Boy every day. It could be day one or the last day of a seven-year run. But it is still a milkshake, and it’s all the same, but never monotonous. It is here, at Bob’s Big Boy – a quintessential American experience – that David Lynch builds his world. And it was in a booth that he met Frank Booth. Not literally – Hollywood’s not that messed up – but through his mind. It was places like Bob’s Big Boy that helped represent David Lynch in the professional part of his career, and before that, he was in love with the design of Coca-Cola bottles and Studebakers. Perhaps he is the greatest American filmmaker to ever live – not the greatest filmmaker born in America but...

After spending the last decade directing other actors, Eva Longoria is back in front of the camera in the new Spanish-language dramedy Land of Women.

The six-part Apple TV+ series is Spanish writer and producer Ramón Campos’ adaptation of Spanish journalist Sandra Barneda’s novel La Tierra de Las Mujeres. In it, Longoria stars as Gala Scott, a wealthy — or so she thinks — wife and mom who, along with her mother (Carmen Maura) and daughter (Victoria Bazúa), flees from New York City to the fictional town of La Muga in Catalonia, Spain, where her mom grew up, when she finds out her husband (James Purefoy) owes $15 million to mobsters intent on getting their money back by any means necessary. Humorously navigating the disastrous circumstances that befall the trio while they’re on the run falls perfectly within Longoria’s wheelhouse, having risen to fame staring on ABC’s mystery soap...

Making further inroads into markets in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond, Studiocanal, one of Europe’s top production-distribution-international sales powerhouses, has clinched further sales on premium daily drama “The Vow” (“La Promesa”), closing Poland and two Baltic States, as well as France.

Produced by Spain’s Bambú Producciones, a Studiocanal company, Studiocanal and national Spanish public broadcaster Rtve, “The Vow” has been acquired by Polish pubcaster Tvp Poland, state-backed network Err Estonia and state-owned Ltv Latvia.

In additional new sales, Dubai TV has closed rights to Mena territories. French free-to-air channel C8, owned like Studiocanal by the Canal+ Group, will begin airing the series in July.

Mediaset Italy has now acquired all three seasons of “The Vow,” as has Dori Media Israel and Finnish state network Yle.

Hrt Croatia and Ltv Lithuania and commercial network Ktv Kosovo, which have broadcast Season 1, have signed up for further seasons.

Created by...

Entre el reparto, Anabel Alonso, Edu Soto y Elisabet Casanovas. © Filmax

Comienza el rodaje de la comedia familiar “Campamento Garra de Oso”. Un largometraje de ficción y aventuras con el que, a través de las peripecias de los jóvenes protagonistas y de Fritz, una mofeta parlante, los más pequeños aprenderán el valor del respeto a los animales y a la naturaleza, la importancia de colaborar con los compañeros, la imaginación, la autoestima y el poder de creer en uno mismo.

En “Campamento Garra de Oso”, Maia (de nueve años), una imaginativa y alborotada niña, y Jan (también de nueve años), un niño miedica de ciudad, lucharán a contrarreloj para salvar el campamento de verano amenazado por el excéntrico constructor Sebastián Sebastián. Para ello, buscarán sin descanso a un oso que creen que aún vive en el valle pero que nadie ha visto. En esta intrépida aventura contarán con la ayuda de Fritz,...

Warning! Contains spoilers for Birds of Prey #10!

A new character reveals Barbara Gordon murders a former Batgirl villain, the Velvet Tiger, in the future. The villain's daughter, Maia, now poses a cosmic threat with her superpowers, seeking revenge. It's unclear why Barbara would commit such an act, putting the universe at risk; the Birds of Prey must stop Maia.

The Birds of Prey always try to do good in the world which is why it's so surprising that one new character states that former Batgirl Barbara Gordon kills her mother in the future. While it's still unclear exactly what circumstances lead to this future, it seems that Barbara Gordon is destined to murder an old C-list villain, who has finally reached her full potential as a cosmic threat.

Barbara Gordon has been kidnapped by a villain who seems to have a very personal interest in killing her. While it's nothing...

Dune: Part Two surpasses its predecessor in box office success, grossing $711 million worldwide. The death of Baron Harkonnen pays tribute to David Lynch's Blue Velvet, symbolizing a shift of power. Villeneuve's Dune adaptations honor Lynch's film, providing insight into what worked well and what didn't.

One key death in Dune: Part Two acknowledges the original Paul Atreides actor in a celebrated David Lynch movie. Before Denis Villeneuve brought his vision of the acclaimed Frank Herbert novel to the big screen, renowned director David Lynch became the first to try adapting the novel into a feature film. Kyle MacLaughlin, who starred in many of Lynch's classic works such as Twin Peaks and was recently in Amazon's Fallout, played the original onscreen version of Paul Atreides.

Dune: Part Two has become the highest-grossing movie of the year through the first half of 2024, and is exclusively available to stream on...

When it was announced that Amazon was set to produce The Rings of Power, a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, fans were ecstatic to revisit J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. But despite opening to a record 25 million viewership, the highest in the streaming platform’s history, the sentiment surrounding the new addition to the iconic IP was pretty mixed.

Despite winning over fans with its eye-popping visuals, with many deeming it a worthy addition to the iconic franchise, its naysayers accused the show of pushing a woke agenda. And with the trailer for Season 2 set to be unveiled soon, a similar discourse has popped up once again.

The Rings of Power Season 2 Trailer Announcement Opens to Mixed Reception

A Still from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Amazon Studios

Even before The Rings of Power premiered, which cost Amazon a whopping $700 million to produce, some...

Looking back, 1974 was a groundbreaking year for new musical releases. To re-create some of the magic that year brought, Classic Vinyl (Ch. 26) is counting down the top “50 Albums Turning 50” — as voted by you, our listeners!

50 Albums Turning 50Stream the full countdown nowListen on the App

Listen on the App

The “50 Albums Turning 50” countdown premieres on Classic Vinyl (Ch. 26) on May 24 at 3pm Et.

Stream it anytime, anywhere, on the SiriusXM app.

Directions: Vote once for up to 20 of your favorite albums in the poll below before 11:59pm Et on May 20, 2024.

Can’t see the poll? Click here to vote.

Albums from 1974 you voted on

These are the possible album choices for this year’s “50 Albums Turning 50” countdown:

Aerosmith – Get Your Wings

America – Holiday

April Wine – Live!

Argent – Encore: Live in Concert

Bachman–Turner Overdrive – Not Fragile

Bad Company – Bad Company

Bill Wyman – Monkey Grip

Billy Joel – Streetlife Serenade

Blue...

With Prime Video's Fallout series now streaming, Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks) is stepping into yet another notable piece of pop-cultural history. Based on the massively popular Bethesda video games, Fallout will take viewers out of the Vault-Tec shelter and into the Wasteland, from executive producer and director Jonathan Nolan (Westworld) and co-writers and showrunners Graham Wagner (Portlandia) and Geneva Robertston-Dworet (Captain Marvel). MacLachlan, who's a repeat collaborator of acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch (Blue Velvet), teases that the show and his character, Overseer Hank, give Lynchian vibes.

The ambitious Begoña Montes is locked in a toxic marriage to a magnate in the thrilling telenovela period drama “Dreams of Freedom” (“Sueños de Libertad”), produced for Antena 3 by Banijay’s Diagonal TV alongside Atresmedia – who produced groundbreaking shows “Money Heist” and “Velvet.”

“Our relationship with Diagonal is, and will continue to be, very good. We worked with them hand-in-hand on many productions, including ‘Amar es para siempre’, the predecessor of ‘Dreams of Freedom,’” Atresmedia fiction director, Montse García, told Variety.

The biggest fiction premiere on free-to-air Spanish television in the past two years, racking up a 14.1% market share and 2.0 million viewers on its linear Feb. 25 bow, the daily series opens with a tense chase through lush forests.

Begoña (Natalia Sánchez), with daughter Julia (Amanda Cárdenas) in tow, runs feverishly through the brush and soil to escape her betrothed, Jesús de la Reina (Alain Hernández), meeting his brother Andrés...

Top Spanish Titles brought to market at MipTV:

“Dating in Barcelona,” (Filmax)

Produced by Filmax’s Arca, Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat and Prime Video in Spain, a first season of “Dating in Barcelona” bowed last year in Spain to big ratings, both on its first-window debut on 3Cat and on Prime Video, where it became one of the streaming service’s most-watched debuts. A modern take on romance and sex in an online age, “Dating in Barcelona” also reflects a swing in TV towards a lighter, more episodic fare, whether in crime thrillers or other categories. Each episode features two dates which, as Variety has observed, play off each other. Powered in creative terms by Pau Freixas, behind iconic series from “Red Band Society” To “I Know Who You Are” And “Todos Mienten,” All Produced By Filmax, “Dating In Barcelona” features a top-tier cast, this time round in Season...

Spain’s film and TV industries are in their second wave as standout content providers for global streamers. Some of the country’s most intriguing titles will take the international stage this weekend at MipTV in Cannes.

Built on a foundation of hits such as “The Red Band Society,” “Grand Hotel,” “Velvet” and “Locked Up,” a new era of internationally renowned content creation in Spain kicked off in 2018 with Alex Pina’s blockbuster series “Money Heist,” picked up by Netflix.

Since then, Spain has enjoyed a place among the steadiest content suppliers for major players worldwide, taking advantage of its often character-driven dramas, high-quality creators and producers, and a language spoken by more than 600 million people around the globe.

Although the market is continuously evolving, local industry has adapted to different new business models, entering bigger and more ambitious productions, often via co-production. Spanish fiction’s global popularity continues to grow to accommodate audience appetites.