Ay Yapım signs development deal with Chilean writer Illanes

International Emmy winning Turkish drama producer Ay Yapım has signed a development and writing agreement with Chilean scriptwriter Pablo Illanes for a new original drama series.

Pablo Illanes

Under the deal, Illanes will write and develop the series as its author, working directly with Ay Yapım’s creative team and its Ibero-American division. The title, format and target broadcast window for the new title have not been disclosed.

The agreement follows the Istanbul-based company’s push into Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories, where it is developing original content alongside its catalogue of international formats. This push saw Ay Yapım hire Chilean executive Iñaki Vicente as chief content and strategy officer for Spanish and Portuguese markets in February.

“Our stories have been watched in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets for years, and now we want to create for those audiences from the inside,” said Kerem Çatay, founder and CEO of Ay Yapım.

Illanes has worked across broadcast television, premium drama and streaming. He wrote Prófugos, HBO’s first original series produced in Chile, as well as Fuera de Control, Machos, Dónde está Elisa?, Alguien te Mira and Perdona Nuestros Pecados, which have been adapted in a number of countries. His streaming credits include Fake Profile for Netflix, and he is due to deliver the fourth season of La Reina del Sur for Telemundo and Netflix in 2027. He has also published six novels.

Illanes has written series for Chilean broadcasters Canal 13, TVN and Mega, as well as for HBO, Paramount, Telemundo and Netflix. “Working with a company that has this vision is a beautiful challenge, and I couldn’t be happier about this agreement,” said Illanes.

Former Mega content chief Vicente said the deal reflects the purpose of the company’s Ibero-American slate. “Partnerships like this one combine the best of both sides to develop content with real emotional connection and the ability to travel,” he said.

Ay Yapım’s catalogue includes Kara Sevda (Endless Love), Yargı (Family Secrets), Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love), Kuzey Güney, Medcezir, Fatmagül, Çukur and Cesur ve Güzel (Brave & Beautiful). It won the International Emmy Award for best telenovela with Kara Sevda in 2017 and again with Yargı in 2023.