Spanish production and distribution titan Onza is set to present its latest project at Cannes: “Gluten Free,” a heartwarming comedy that has achieved remarkable viewership, becoming RTVE’s most popular comedy debut over the past decade.
The series, conceived by the creative talents of Araceli Álvarez de Sotomayor (“Alpha Males,” “Muertos S.L.”), along with Javier Aguayo and Germán Aparicio, is produced by Onza in partnership with RTVE and Prime Video.
“Gluten Free” premiered on October 8, achieving an impressive 17% audience share and drawing in 1.21 million viewers alongside 2.9 million interactions on RTVE’s flagship channel La 1. The series masterfully combines humor, emotion, and themes of redemption, hinting at significant international appeal.
The narrative follows Ricardo, a once-renowned chef who faces the downfall of his restaurant, reputation, and self-esteem due to alcohol addiction. Reluctantly moving back in with his widowed mother Marga—an assertive woman unhappy with his return—he embarks on a challenging new chapter in his life.
When Ricardo accepts a teaching position at a culinary school to mentor at-risk youth—where his own culinary journey began—he stumbles upon an unexpected path to personal renewal.
Álvarez de Sotomayor characterized the show as “a fully ensemble comedy, featuring diverse characters across a broad age spectrum and numerous interconnected conflicts.”
“Though the humor is prevalent, the characters’ challenges resonate deeply, leading viewers to develop a strong affection for each of them.”
Gonzalo Sagardía, CEO of Onza, described “Gluten Free” as a poignant series that explores profound everyday themes under the guise of a feel-good comedy format.
“Its launch represents RTVE’s strongest comedy premiere in a decade, highlighting its ideal tone and character development,” he added.
Erika Gómez, Head of Sales at Onza Distribution, remarked: “The series’ uplifting tone, relatable characters, and emotional complexity position it as an excellent candidate for local adaptations globally.”
The successful debut of “Gluten Free” also aligns with RTVE’s strategy to replicate the success of its daytime fiction hits such as “Valle salvaje” and “The Vow” during prime time.
“The series is innovative and refreshing, enabling us to connect with new demographics and a broader audience,” commented José Pastor, RTVE’s director of Film and Fiction, during its unveiling at the September FesTVal in Vitoria.
A Broader Range of Audiovisual Offerings
Onza, renowned for hits like “The Department of Time,” “Parot,” and “Little Coincidences,” will highlight “Gluten Free” as a standout at Mipcom 2025.
Additionally, Onza will showcase its expanded suite of audiovisual services, including content development, production, international sales, as well as legal, financial, and tax structuring support.
This Madrid, Los Angeles, and Miami-based company aims to harness Spain’s superior production infrastructure and talent, alongside diverse filming locations and favorable tax incentives, to attract international collaborations.
‘Neuer,’ A Slovak Procedural Crime Series
Another notable title in Onza’s Mipcom lineup is “Neuer,” a procedural crime series co-produced with Slovakia’s KFS Production. Created by Michal Kollár and based on the bestselling novels by Václav Neuer, the eight-part series debuted on September 14 on TV JOJ, achieving a strong 24% viewership share and becoming the leading program of the evening.
Onza will also present “Vulnerables,” a three-part documentary series focusing on youth mental health, co-created by Gonzalo Sagardía and directed by Gustavo Ron and Sagardía himself.
Produced at Onza by Nicolás Bergareche, this series was recently acquired by Spain’s leading broadcaster Atresmedia.
