Banijay moves into Vidago Palace

Vidago Palace

MIPTV: UK-based distributor Banijay Rights has acquired global rights to its first Portuguese-language drama.

Period miniseries Vidago Palace (6×60’) is produced by Spanish prodco Portocabo and Portugal’s HOP! for Portuguese pubcaster RTP and Spanish regional broadcaster TVG, and also marks the first coproduction between two the countries.

The drama, a love story set in luxurious spa hotel in Vidago amid the growing regional turbulence of 1936, is directed by Henrique Oliveira and stars Mikaela Lupu, David Seijo, Pedro Barroso and Anabela Teixeira.

Banijay Rights head of scripted Caroline Torrance said the drama was a notable addition to the distributor’s expanding non-English-language scripted portfolio, citing its high-end production values and broad appeal.

Launched on flagship RTP1 last year, Vidago Palace has become one of the broadcaster’s top dramas.

The series is the product of a significantly revamped content strategy that RTP began in 2015. The pubcaster now focuses on quality drama series to give audiences a clear alternative to the telenovela-heavy schedules that dominate commercial channels in the country. Last year, the pubcaster indicated it was keen to invest in more coproductions and called for producers in Portugal and elsewhere to pitch projects.