Cattleya Producciones Acquires Rights to Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s Novel “The Italian” with Plans to Adapt as a Miniseries

It appears another of Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novels is coming to life…

ITV Studios-owned Spanish drama house Cattleya Producciones has acquired the rights to the 70-year-old Spanish novelist and journalist’s bestselling novel El Italiano and will adapt it as a miniseries.

Arturo Pérez-ReverteInspired by real events, El Italiano is a story of love, spies and the sea set at the height of World War II in the Bay of Algeciras, where Italian combat divers are causing chaos among the Allied forces.

Arturo Díaz, Managing Director and Executive Producer of Cattleya Producciones, and Ricardo Tozzi, founder and President of Cattleya, are leafing the project.

Cattleya Producciones is searching for an international cast to bring El Italiano‘s Spanish, Italian and English characters to life.

Arturo Pérez-Reverte, El ItalianoScreenwriter Beto Marini, co-creator of Movistar+ series La Unidad and feature films such as Retribution and Extinction is adapting the story.

Pérez-Reverte was trained in underwater activities at Spain’s Centro de Buceo de la Armada (Navy Diving Center) in Cartagena in the late 1960s and part of El Italiano comes from a story told to him by his father when he was a child.

“I’m positive that this series from Cattleya, whose productions I have always admired for their quality, will be faithful to the story I wrote,” he said.

Pérez-Reverte’s previous work La Reina del Sur (2002), about a Mexican woman who becomes a leader of a drug trafficking cartel in the south of Spain, was adapted into a Spanish-language telenovela starring Kate del Castillo, and later an English-language series (Queen of the South) starring Alice Braga.

Kate del Castillo Signs with Buchwald

Kate del Castillo has new representation…

The 49-year-old Mexican actress and telenovela star has signed with Buchwald.

Kate del Castillo

del Castillo stars in Telemundo’s hit drama La Reina del Sur.

One of the highest rated Spanish-language series in the world, La Reina del Sur adapts the bestseller by Spanish novelist Arturo Perez-Reverte. In the crime drama, which recently wrapped filming for Season 3, del Castillo plays Teresa Mendonza, a woman from Mexico who becomes the most powerful drug trafficker in southern Spain.

Castillo recently completed a two-series deal with Telemundo. Her production company, Cholawood, has a first-look development deal with Boomdog, the Mexico City-based division of Endemol Shine North America.

The actress starred opposite Will Smith as the villain in Sony’s Bad Boys for Life, also recently featuring on NBC’s sitcom Mr. Mayor, from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and the Netflix animated series Maya and the Three, created by Jorge R. Gutiérrez.

She rose to acclaim in America with her performance in Fox Searchlight’s Under the Same Moon, which is one of the highest-grossing Spanish-language theatrical releases in U.S. history, and has also featured in such films as BordertownNo Good Deed and All About Nina.

del Castillo has also appeared in series including PBSGolden Globe and Emmy-nominated drama American Family, The CW’s Jane the Virgin and Showtime’s Weeds, among others. Her one-woman Off-Broadway show, The Way She Spoke, made her the first Latina actress to earn Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nominations.

A philanthropist and outspoken global activist, del Castillo was appointed Ambassador for the Mexican Commission on Human Rights to combat human trafficking in 2009.

Telemundo Renews Kate del Castillo’s “La Reina del Sur” for Third Season

Kate del Castillo’s reign will continue…

Telemundo has renewed La Reina del Sur for a third season with the 47-year-old Mexican actress set to reprise her iconic role as Teresa Mendoza.

Kate del Castillo

“I love playing Teresa Mendoza and am proud of the success of La Reina del Sur, the series that unleashed a new genre in Spanish language television,” del Castillo said. “Each season, Teresa Mendoza’s character evolves and gets more interesting. She is a very human character with her own flaws and imperfections. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of fun playing her, and I’m curious to see what will happen in this new season. She’s a woman I learn from in every season and every episode, who continues to surprise me.”

The first season of the series, based on Arturo Perez-Reverte’s novel, launched in 2011 and returned for a second season in 2019. 

The second season picked up eight years after the events of the season one finale with Mendoza pregnant and unsure of her future. When La Reina returns, it emerged that she’s disappeared into the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program and is currently living in Italy under the name of Maria Dantes with her daughter Sofia.

Last year, del Castillo said she “hated” the fact that she had to have a double for Mexico-set scenes of the  narco drama after she became a major player in the El Chapo saga, helping to set up a meeting between Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán and Sean Penn in 2015.

But she’ll now be able to return to Mexico if the series films there. 

La Reina del Suris a high-level production that has taken us to shoot all over the world season after season. But yes, if the story takes us to Mexico next season, I will be there. I’m so excited,” she added.

Showrunner Marco Santana, who’s also president of Telemundo Global Studios, said that the company was currently in the script and overall development phase of the new season. 

“We are working with an incredible group of writers to bring to life the continuation of a thrilling and involved story that we are all very excited for,” he told Deadline. “We have filmed La Reina del Suraround the world. It’s a story that travels through different locations, and season three won’t be an exception. We are planning for, and are hopeful that, by the time we begin production in 2021, restrictions due to the coronavirus will have eased.”

The third season will start production early next year, as long as production can resume as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The third season will be a co-production between Telemundo Global Studios and Netflix; Telemundo holds rights in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, while the streamer airs the series globally.

La Reina del Suris Telemundo’s most successful ‘Super Series’, used to differentiate it from its traditional long-running telenovelas.

“It is the show that propelled the network to the top of the charts and kicked off Telemundo’s Super Series franchise as the most successful Super Series in the network’s history,” said Ronald Day, EVP, Entertainment, Telemundo Networks. “It was the show that redefined Hispanic media and set a new standard in our content offering. There is a tremendous fan base for the first two seasons and for Teresa Mendoza, the iconic character played by Kate del Castillo, so we knew we had to bring her back.  This is a series that resonates with the new Latino of today who craves for contemporary cutting-edge narratives coupled with strong characters in a premium-level production. The first two seasons were wildly successful on linear and across all platforms, so as we continue to look at all new IP through an omnichannel lens, it made a lot of sense to bring La Reina back.”

“The return of La Reina del Surcomes at a great time when we continue to shape a new era in Hispanic media with content exclusively made for Latinos living in the US looking for culture-centric stories that are both American and Latino,” Day added.

USA Network Renews Alice Braga’s “Queen of the South” for Fifth Season

Alice Braga’s reign continues…

USA Network has picked up a fifth season of its hit drama series Queen of the South, starring the 36-year-old Brazilian actress. The announcement comes on the heels of the show’s Season 4 finale.

Alice Braga

Now that Suits is coming to an end, Queen of the South will take the mantle of USA’s longest-running scripted series on the air.

Despite running largely under the radar with no major awards recognition or big name film stars, Queen of the South has been one of USA’s most reliable ratings performers.  A co-production between Fox 21 Television Studiosand UCPQueen of the South is Thursday’s #1 cable drama in P18-49, P18-34, P25-54, and P2+ year to date.

Starring Braga, Queen of the South is based on the bestselling book La Reina del Surby Arturo Pérez-Reverte. It tells the powerful story of Teresa Mendoza (Braga), a woman who’s forced to run from the Mexican cartel and seek refuge in America. In Season 3, Teresa struck out on her own, determined to build a new empire for herself. But as enemies old and new closed in, she realized that being queen would require more work — and more sacrifice — than she ever imagined.

Queen of the Southmarked Braga’s first big U.S. television role. 

Sofia Lama to Recur on Season 4 of USA Network’s “Queen of the South”

Sofia Lama is South-bound…

The 31-year-old Mexican actress has landed a recurring role on the upcoming fourth season of USA Network’s Queen of the South, from Fox 21 Television Studios and UCP.

Sofia Lama

Starring Alice BragaQueen of the South is based on the bestselling book La Reina del Sur by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. It tells the powerful story of Teresa Mendoza (Braga), a woman who is forced to run from the Mexican cartel and seek refuge in America. 

In Season 3, Teresa struck out on her own, determined to build a new empire for herself. But as enemies old and new closed in, she realized that being queen would require more work — and more sacrifice — than she ever imagined.

Lama will portray Emilia, Boaz Jimenez’s (Joseph T. Campos) nervous & frightened former fiancee with a secret that could cause things to turn ugly fast.

Dailyn Rodriguez and Ben Lobato will serve as co-showrunners for Season 4 and will executive produce alongside David T. Friendly.

Lama’s recent credits include guest-starring roles on NCIS: Los AngelesChicago P.D.and Designated Survivor.

USA Network to Premiere Second Season of Braga’s “Queen of the South” in June

Alice Braga is heading back South this summer…

USA Network is set to premiere the second season of Queen of the South, starring the 33-year-old Brazilian actress, on June 8.

Alice Braga

Inspired by the global best-selling novel La Reina Del Sur by internationally acclaimed author Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Season 2 follows the journey of Teresa Mendoza (Braga) and the sacrifices she must make not only to survive, but to make it to the top of the drug world. Where will she draw the line when her moral code and her destiny are at odds?

In addition to Braga, Queen of the South also stars Justina Machado, Hemky Madera, Veronica Falcon, James Martinez, Joaquim de Almeida, Peter Gadiot, Carlos Gomez and Mark Consuelos.

The NBCUniversal-owned cable net will premiere Queen of the South on Thursday, June 8 at 10:00 pm ET.

Andino Lands Recurring Role on USA’s “Queen of the South”

Paola Andino’s career is going South…

The 19-year-old Puerto Rican actress is set to recur on the second season of USA Network’s drama series Queen of the South.

Paola Andino

Based on best-selling book La Reina Del Sur by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Queen of the South tells the powerful story of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga), a woman who is forced to run and seek refuge in America after her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico. In the process, she teams with an unlikely figure from her past to bring down the leader of the very drug trafficking ring that has her on the run.

Andino will play Olivia “Chaparra” Gutierrez, a party girl with a brash mouth and a taste for trouble who ushers her best friend Isabela Vargas (Sandy Valles) into the narco-brat lifestyle – much to the chagrin of Isabela’s parents, the drug empire power couple at odds with each other, Camila and Epifanio Vargas.

Andino most recently played a lead role in Every Witch Way. She also starred opposite Emily Van Camp in Beyond the Blackboard and had a guest-starring role on Grey’s Anatomy.

Gadiot to Star Opposite Alice Braga in USA’s “Queen of the South”

Peter Gadiot’s career is going South

The 29-year-old half-Mexican actor, who starred on ABC’s Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, has landed a series regular role in USA Network’s upcoming telenovela-based drama Queen of the South.

Peter Gadiot

Based on best-selling book La Reina Del Sur by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Queen Of The South tells the story of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga). When her drug-dealing boyfriend unexpectedly is murdered in Mexico, Teresa is forced to go on the run and seek refuge in America, where she teams with an unlikely figure from her past to bring down the leader of the very drug trafficking ring that has her on the run. In the process, she learns the tools of the trade and strategically positions herself to become the leader of the cartel.

Gadiot will play James Valdez, a newly minted capo of Camila’s (Veronica Falcón) crime organization who has an in-depth and realistic understanding of how the narco world works. Despite his brutish ability to ferret out punishment to those who cross him, Valdez surprises Teresa with his humanistic sense of moral justice and becomes one of her closest allies in America.

Known as the swashbuckling hero Cyrus on Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, Gadiot most recently appeared in Spike’s miniseries Tut opposite Ben Kingsley and before that wrapped a season-long arc on the Robert Rodriguez, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci produced series Matador.

USA Network Orders Braga’s “Queen Of The South” to Series

Alice Braga is ready to rule the USA Network…

The network has picked up its drama pilot Queen Of The South, starring the 32-year-old Brazilian actress, to series with a 13-episode order for a 2016 premiere.

Alice Braga

The pilot was developed and produced by Fox 21 Television Studios (then Fox Television Studios), which will now co-produce with Universal Cable Productions.

Based on best-selling book La Reina Del Sur by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Queen Of The South tells the story of Teresa Mendoza (Braga).

When her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico, Teresa is forced to go on the run and seek refuge in America, where she teams with an unlikely figure from her past to bring down the leader of the very drug trafficking ring that has her on the run. In the process, she learns the tools of the trade and strategically positions herself to become the leader of the Cartel.

M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller wrote the pilot. Charlotte Sieling directed the pilot.

“From script to inception, Queen Of The South had us hooked,” said USA Network president Chris McCumber. “Alice Braga does an outstanding job playing Teresa Mendoza, a determined woman who defies all odds, to not only survive, but to thrive in an unfamiliar world.”

This is not La Reina Del Sur‘s first television adaptation in the U.S. Telemundo aired a popular telenovela, which ran in 2011 to big ratings.

Barraza to Star in USA Network’s Drama Pilot “Queen Of The South”

Adriana Barraza’s heading south for the upcoming television season…

The 58-year-old Mexican actress, an Oscar nominee for her performance in Babel, has landed a starring role in USA Network’s drama pilot Queen Of The South.

Adriana Barraza

The project, an English-language adaptation of Telemundo’s blockbuster 2011 telenovela La Reina del Sur, is based on the best-selling book by Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Queen Of The South centers on Teresa Mendoza (portrayed by Alice Braga), who’s forced to go on the run when her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico.

Barraza will play Camilla, the lioness ex-wife of a powerful drug lord who is establishing her own empire in America.

She quickly becomes a mother figure to Teresa (Braga), but their relationship escalates into a battle of wills that will leave more than a few bodies in its wake.

Barraza most recently appeared in Guillermo del Toro’s FX series The Strain and the feature Cake. Her 0ther film credits include Amores Perros, Thor, Drag Me To Hell and The 33.

The Queen of the South cast includes Justina Machado and Hemky Madera.