Banijay Rights to Take Spanish Drama Hierro Global

Banijay Rights has added to its distribution catalog the Spanish drama Hierro, a Movistar+ original series.

Co-produced by Portocabo, Atlantique Productions and ARTE France, the crime thriller takes place on a secluded island in the Canary Islands archipelago. It is created by Pepe Coira and directed by Jorge Coira. Hierro marks the first Spanish-language drama in the Banijay Rights catalog.

Currently in production on the island of El Hierro, the drama stars Spanish actress Candela Peña (Princesas, Torremolinos 73) and the Argentine actor Darío Grandinetti (Wild Tales, Talk To Her). It will launch on Movistar+ in the first half of 2019.

Caroline Torrance, head of scripted at Banijay Rights, commented: “From the first time we saw HIERRO, we immediately knew we wanted to be a part of it. With electric storytelling and premium production values, this character-driven drama is set to be a hit with international audiences. We are really excited to work with, support and distribute the work of such acclaimed production talent.”

Alfonso Blanco, executive producer at Portocabo, said: “Hierro has come a long way since winning the best project of the year at Berlinale 2015, and has become a reality thanks to the combined commitment of Movistar+, ARTE, Banijay Rights, Atlantique Productions and all their respective teams. We could not have asked for better partners for such an ambitious co-production.”

Olivier Wotling, director of fiction at ARTE, added: “ARTE is proud to participate in the international co-production of Hierro. After developing projects in Norway, Denmark and, more recently, Germany and Italy, we are delighted to continue our European co-production journey with a Spanish project. The high-quality scripts, combined with the complex characters and the backdrop of magnificent landscapes, instantly appealed to us.”

Olivier Bibas, executive producer at Atlantique Productions, said: “Hierro is a further step forward in our ambition to produce European TV series with a strong local component that also have the potential to travel around the world. Atlantique Productions, together with Portocabo, led by Alfonso Blanco, is an excellent example of European collaboration. We are very happy to be producing this series for Movistar+ and ARTE France.”