Esquivel’s “Like Water For Chocolate” to Get Television Adaptation

There’s no water shortage for Laura Esquivel

The 66-year-old Mexican author’s popular novel Like Water For Chocolate is getting a television adaptation.

Laura Esquivel

Endemol Shine Studios, the scripted division of Endemol Shine North America, has acquired the rights Esquivel’s best-selling novel Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate) to adapt as a global television franchise.

The classic story is being developed as an English language series with plans to adapt it in other languages, as well.

Like Water for Chocolate was first published in 1989 by Esquivel, a first-time Mexican novelist and quickly became a global sensation. The use of magical realism alongside a raucous family drama made the book an instant classic.

Like Water For Chocolate

To date, Like Water for Chocolate has sold 3.5 million copies in the U.S. through publishers Knopf Doubleday (English) and Vintage Espanol (Spanish). The novel spent a year and a half on the New York Times Bestseller list and has been published in 45 languages.

In 1992, a film based on Esquivel’s screenplay adaptation of the novel was successfully released in Spanish, earning critical acclaim and numerous honors. The film earned 11 Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy of Motion Pictures, including the Ariel for Best Picture and at the time became the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever released in the United States. It also was the Mexican entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 65th Academy Awards.

“It fills me with joy to know that Like Water for Chocolate will be brought to television screens throughout the world by a studio that bets on quality in producing content for each of its projects,” says Esquivel. “Of all the companies that offered to create the series, Endemol Shine Studios stood out in sharing a vision of Like Water for Chocolate closest to my own: leading from the heart.”

“The opportunity to adapt this beloved novel is a privilege, added Endemol Shine Studios President Sharon Hall. “Laura’s epic love story has all the ingredients of a breakthrough drama.”

AT&T Audience Network Renews Sanchez’s “Kingdom” for Third Season

The sun hasn’t set on Kiele Sanchez’s kingdom…

AT&T Audience Network has ordered a third season of its critically acclaimed martial arts drama series Kingdom, starring the 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress.

Kiele Sanchez in Kingdom

“The success of season 2 of Kingdom proves how captivating this series is and how viewers have invested and connected with the characters’ lives,” said Christopher Long, senior vice president, Original Content and Production, AT&T. “Byron Balasco has been at the helm of this gritty mixed martial arts family drama since its inception and has showcased heart wrenching topics that no other show on television has had the strength to touch. We couldn’t be happier to have Byron on for another season and have no doubt that he will create a compelling storyline that no one will forget.”

The series stars Frank Grillo as a former MMA mixed martial arts fighter trying to keep his gym in business.

In addition to Sanchez and Grillo, the series also stars Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas, Joanna Going and Natalie Martinez.

Creator, writer and showrunner Balasco serves as executive producer.

Kingdom is produced by Endemol Shine Studios and distributed internationally by Endemol Shine International.

Martinez to Star in DirecTV’s MMA drama “Kingdom”

It’s kingdom come for Natalie Martinez

The 30-year-old Cuban American actress has been cast as a regular on the upcoming second season of DirecTV’s MMA drama Kingdom.

Natalie Martinez

The series, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco, follows the story of Alvey Kulina (Frank Grillo) who owns and runs a mixed martial arts gym called Navy St. Gym in Venice, California, with his girlfriend, Lisa (Kiele Sanchez).

Martinez will play Alicia Mendez, described as a woman who is damaged with self-destructive tendencies. Although talented, she is fairly inexperienced fighter who takes a meeting with Lisa (Sanchez).

Nick Jonas and Matt Lauria also star.

Kingdom, from Endemol Shine Studios, just started production on Season 2 in Los Angeles.