Mediapro, Paraiso partner for thriller

NATPE: Imagina-owned The Mediapro Studio and Miami-based Paraiso Pictures are to coproduce an original thriller series based on a true story set in the drugs trade.

Laura Fernández Espeso

English-language series El Medico (The Doctor) follows a Colombian drug boss who turned government agent after being linked with the 9/11 terror attacks.

El Medico will be directed by Assaf Bernstein, who also serves as executive producer, while Bafta winner Michael Nozik will produce.

Laura Fernandez Espeso, corporate and TV director at The Mediapro Studio, said: “El Medico is the style of fiction that we are developing: strong, innovative and powerful stories developed by great storytellers, such as Assaf Bernstein and Michael Nozik, and suitable for audiences around the world.”

The studio also announced that filming will begin in March on Las Bravas F.C., its 8×45’ drama set in the world of women’s soccer. Based on an idea by Enrique Pérez Vergara and starring Mexican actor Alfonso Herrera, the show is being made with Turner Latin America to air on TNT Mexico.

Ran Tellem, The Mediapro Studio’s head of international content, said that although the company plans to produce more than 30 scripted shows this year, it is still trying to operate like “a chain of boutiques.”

“Our one true ambition across all of our productions is having the ability to take risks, to do things outside of the ordinary,” he said. “When you feel big but you act small, you have the ability to do something really different.”

The Spanish company earlier this week set up a coproduction with Boutique Filmes, the Brazilian outfit behind Netflix originals 3% and Onisciente.