In a significant stride within the realm of high-quality Spanish-language drama, the German entertainment powerhouse ZDF Studios has joined forces as a co-producer for the upcoming thriller series “Patagonia. Lo que Esconde el Paraíso” (“Patagonia. What Paradise Hides”). This project stands out as one of the selected features at this year’s Iberseries & Platino Industria.
The series is a collaborative effort between Chile’s María Wood Producciones and Spain’s Atlantika Films, with ZDF Studios providing vital international support as the production moves forward to close its financing requirements. The shooting is slated to commence in 2026.
Directed by acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Julio Jorquera (“Noticia de un Secuestro”), this suspenseful narrative features a stellar cast including Itziar Ituño (“Money Heist”), Benjamín Vicuña (“Argentina, 1985”), and Unai Arana (“La Infiltrada”).
The script, penned by Luis Barrales and Anastasia Ayazi, revolves around Alicia, a mother whose son mysteriously disappears, propelling her into a frantic search across continents, deep into the rugged wilderness of Patagonia, where she unravels the hidden secrets behind a seemingly idyllic paradise.
“This narrative centers on the profound bond between a mother and her son, exploring the intangible burdens we inherit as a family. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Chilean Patagonia, it serves as a poignant reminder to safeguard nature from human avarice and indifference,” stated Atlantika producer Claudia Ruiz in an interview with Variety.
“Patagonia” has already received funding from Chilean public sources and is actively seeking to secure incentives from the Basque Country.
This project underscores ZDF Studios’ expanding investment in Spanish-language drama content. The company has previously co-produced RTVE’s “Weiss & Morales,” a four-part crime drama filmed in the Canary Islands, collaborated on the grand historical narrative “Boundless,” and secured worldwide distribution rights for the second season of the horror anthology “Historias para no dormir” (“Stories to Stay Awake”).
María Elena Wood, the Chilean producer, is known for her dedication to factual storytelling, with notable works including “Dignidad” (Canneseries 2020), “Mary & Mike” (Berlinale Series 2018), and Prime Video’s “Noticia de un Secuestro,” which garnered multiple awards at the 2023 Platino Awards.
On the other hand, Madrid-based Atlantika Films has also established a solid production reputation, with credits such as “Chaplin: Spirit of Tramp,” which won the Irizar Basque Cinema Prize at San Sebastián 2024, and was involved in the co-production of Fernando Trueba’s animated feature “They Shot the Piano Player,” as well as “200% Wolf: Pequeño Gran Lobo,” an innovative Spain-Australia collaboration.
“Patagonia. What Paradise Hides” is scheduled to be pitched on Wednesday, Oct. 1, during the Co-Production and Financing Forum at Iberseries & Platino Industria 2025 in Madrid, marking a significant moment for the project and its contributors.
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