Starz, Televisa prep novela copro

US cablenet Starz is joining forces with Televisa USA to coproduce an original drama series based on a Mexican telenovela from the 1980s.

Maleficio is based on El Maleficio, which originally aired for 320 episodes between 1983 and 1984 and is rated as one of the most successful telenovelas of all time.

Starz CEO Chris Albrecht announced the coproduction with Televisa USA, the LA-based production division of Mexico’s GrupoTelevisa, at the Starz presentation to the Television Critics Association this afternoon.

Mexican writer and producer Mauricio Katz is serving as showrunner on the supernatural thriller, which centres on a powerful businessman who forges a deadly pact with the Devil.

Chilean director Pedro Peirano will executive produce and co-write the first episode with Katz.

Starz will retain all domestic and Canadian rights and Televisa USA will retain International rights.

The TCA presentation also revealed supernatural series Santeria from Cuban writer and director Alejandro Brugues (From Dusk Till Dawn, Juan of the Dead).

The plot focuses on a clash between opposing sects of an ancient religion born on the island of Cuba.

Starz will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment and digital.

The network is also developing Pour Vida with production company Big Beach TV. The series is inspired by a short story by Richard Villegas Jr and will be executive produced by Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine, Sunshine Cleaning, Safety Not Guaranteed), Dan Pasternack (Portlandia, Starved, Beggars and Choosers) and Erin Keating (Portlandia, Bunk, The Spoils of Babylon).

The plot follows twin sisters, Brook and Lyn Hernandez, who inherit an East LA building from their recently deceased aunt who raised them. They open a wine and tapas bar and fight to protect the building’s tenants from displacement.