Scripted

RTP and SPi join forces to debut Portugal’s first micro-drama project, composed of five short-form series produced by SPi. Each production features 20 one-and-a-half-minute episodes, covering a wide range of genres from thriller to comedy.

José Fragoso, director of RTP1, explains: "RTP is breaking new ground for national fiction, responding to a very recent trend that is already relevant in several international markets: the professional production of fiction series for digital distribution, designed and structured to be made and viewed in vertical format, adapted to mobile phone screens. Each story is told in very short episodes, each less than two minutes long. For the creative teams, this process will be a new challenge, from writing to directing, including the work of the actors and actresses and the production team. In the end, it will be up to the viewer to decide how many episodes they want to watch, where and at what time."

The concept was created by Pedro Lopes, with scripts by Inês Gomes, Susana Romano, and Marina Ribeiro. Filming is scheduled between December and January 2026, and the content will premiere in vertical format across TikTok, Instagram, and RTP Play.

João Maia Abreu, executive director of International Business and Co-productions at SPi, adds: "With this partnership between RTP and SPi, we are starting a new chapter in Portuguese fiction. Micro-dramas, or vertical dramas, represent a way of storytelling that reflects our times - more agile, direct, fast and optimised, deeply connected to the way audiences currently consume content."

This project reinforces RTP’s position as a leader in national fiction, standing out as a trailblazer in vertical format production and helping position Portugal as a creative hub for innovative storytelling.

Micro-dramas are becoming a global phenomenon. Beyond a passing trend, they have become a new storytelling standard, driven by technological evolution and shifting viewing habits. This emerging format introduces a new fiction language tailored to audiences who decide within seconds whether to keep watching a video.