Industry

EndemolShine Boomdog and Banijay Entertainment are teaming with acclaimed Latin American writer and producer, Leonardo Padrón to launch Leonardo Padrón Productions. Focused on premium content, the venture will partner with Banijay Americas label, A Fábrica Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, to deliver a slate defined by distinctive storytelling.
Padrón, one of Latin America’s most renowned screenwriters, is the creative force behind gripping Netflix hits like visceral thriller Pálpito, and suspenseful tragedy Accidente, both top-ranking non-English series on the platform. His extensive body of work includes stand-out titles for Univision and Televisa, La Mujer del Diablo, Si nos Dejan, Amar a Muerte, and the revival of the classic Mexican novela Rubí. In film, he penned scripts such as Manuela Sáenz, La Libertadora del Libertador, La primera vez and Miranda. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he is also an award-winning poet, essayist, columnist and chronicle writer, alongside his renowned status as a film and television screenwriter and producer.
Leonardo Padrón Productions will develop high-impact, character-driven dramas in partnership with A Fábrica Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, Banijay Americas’ scripted label launched earlier this year by EndemolShine Boomdog and A Fábrica (Brazil). In addition to the Mexican and U.S. Hispanic markets, the venture will collaborate with Banijay Entertainment’s scripted companies across its 21-market footprint, be able to capitalize on the group’s central Scripted Fund, and benefit from its vast distribution engine, Banijay Rights.
Leonardo Padrón says: "Forming an alliance with EndemolShine Boomdog and Banijay Entertainment allows us to build on the most powerful tool we have, collaboration. Further building our shared creative muscle, this partnership will enable us to craft cross-border stories which connect with global audiences.”
Alejandro Rincón, CEO, EndemolShine Boomdog says: “When establishing our new scripted division, Leonardo Padrón was the top choice to develop new projects with. His work is second-to-none in Latin America, across both TV and film, and his words resonate directly with audiences globally. Having Banijay Entertainment onboard reinforces our ambition to expand globally, and we can’t wait to take our development with Leonardo to the marketplace and bring his amazing stories to life.”
Frédéric Balmary, Chief Business Officer, Banijay Entertainment says: “Leonardo Padrón is a master in dramatic tension, with a creative voice that’s both gripping and culturally impactful. As we grow our premium Spanish-language slate, this partnership offers an impressive opportunity to develop stories that reflect the Latin American identity while speaking to audiences everywhere. With the creative drive of A Fábrica Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, and the global reach of Banijay Entertainment, we are well-positioned to further bring Leonardo’s vision to the world.”
A Fábrica Mexico & U.S. Hispanic’s team, led by Luiz Noronha and Alejandro Rincón, is currently developing multiple scripted drama series with Padrón for Spanish-language audiences in the U.S., Mexico and Latin America, with several initial projects expected to be available on the marketplace later this year. The company was unveiled in January, creating a premier content label in Mexico City dedicated to championing creativity and innovation in scripted storytelling, with a focus on developing and producing original Spanish-language scripted content for the respective regions and beyond. 
Banijay Entertainment stands at the forefront of premium storymaking, with 60+ scripted labels creating a slate of new and returning titles like Carême (Shine Fiction / Apple TV), Buccaneers (The Forge/ Apple TV), House of Guinness (Kudos / Netflix), The Law According to Lidia Poët (Groenlandia / Netflix), Rogue Heroes (Kudos / BBC One), Wallander (Jarowskij/ YellowBird/ TV4), Culpa Mia and Culpa Tuya (Pokeepsie / Prime Video) and more.