Disney+ Spain introduces groundbreaking daily melodrama “Return to Las Sabinas”

A new era for European streaming

Disney+ Spain has announced its first original daily melodrama series, “Return to Las Sabinas” (“Regreso a Las Sabinas”), marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind produced by a premium streaming platform in Europe. This exciting revelation was made at the Iberseries & Platino Industria event in Madrid, which commenced on October 1.

A fresh take on the telenovela format

While “Return to Las Sabinas” draws inspiration from the traditional telenovela, it distinguishes itself by offering a more concise narrative. Unlike the typical 100-plus episodes of Latin American telenovelas, this series will consist of 70 episodes, each lasting 45 minutes. This innovative approach aims to maintain the melodramatic essence while providing a more streamlined viewing experience.

A story of love, conflict, and secrets

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Barcelona, the series follows the lives of sisters Gracia and Paloma as they return to their childhood home in Las Sabinas to care for their ailing father. Gracia rekindles a romance with her first love, Miguel, who is now engaged to another woman, Ester. Meanwhile, Miguel’s brother, Tano, harbors unresolved feelings for Gracia, leading to a complex love triangle.

Paloma, on the other hand, takes charge of the family lands and finds herself at odds with the powerful landowner Paca Utrera, who has sinister plans for the town. As their father Emilio attempts to mend his relationship with his daughters, a hidden secret threatens to unravel their fragile bonds.

Behind the scenes: A collaboration of experts

To bring “Return to Las Sabinas” to life, Disney+ Spain partnered with Diagonal TV, a Barcelona-based production company known for its expertise in melodrama. Diagonal TV is part of Banijay Iberia and has a rich history of producing successful series, including the long-running “Amar en tiempos revueltos.”

Jordi Frades, a seasoned showrunner and executive producer, helmed the project, with Eulàlia Carillo penning the script. At a press conference, Disney+ Spain’s VP of original production, Sofía Fábregas, shared insights into the series’ development:

“Diagonal TV is a leading reference in this genre in Spain. We collaborated closely with them, exploring various ideas over nearly three years. Our goal was to offer viewers something fresh while staying true to the melodrama format. We utilized all-natural interiors and exteriors, a significant departure from the usual sets of daily series, to create a premium television experience.”

A return to roots for Jordi Frades

For Jordi Frades, “Return to Las Sabinas” represents a return to a genre he hadn’t explored in decades. Reflecting on the project, he said:

“When Disney+ approached me, they unknowingly gave me a second chance to revisit the daily melodrama genre. It had been thirty years since my first and last daily series, ‘Poble Nou.’ This project allowed me to apply everything I had learned over the years to a genre that is often underestimated.”

Frades emphasized the unique production approach: “This is the first daily series filmed entirely on natural exteriors and interiors, with a cinematic look. We used only two cameras, lighting each shot meticulously, and filmed over 20 pages of script per day. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience, one of the best of my career.”

A global release

“Return to Las Sabinas” is set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu worldwide on October 11. This series promises to captivate audiences with its compelling storyline, rich character development, and high production values.

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