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One of the standout thematic trends this year is the prevalence of drama series and docu-series based on real events. The conference Ficción Documentada: Historias basadas en hechos reales explores how fact-based storytelling is shaping global content.
Atresmedia presented its new drama Las hijas de la criada at Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid, with author Sonsoles Ónega and the creative teams of Buendía Estudios and Atresmedia in attendance.Based on Ónega’s 2023 Premio Planeta-winning novel, the series pays tribute to the often-overlooked role of Galician women in the fishing and canning industries. Producers highlighted its universal themes, strong female characters, and international potential, comparing it to past successes like Velvet and La catedral del mar.Las hijas de la criada premieres Sunday, November 30 on Atresplayer.
In a spotlight session moderated by Brendan Fitzgerald, CEO of Secuoya Studios, the Spanish producer emphasized the urgency of forging international partnerships — not merely producing for Spanish audiences, but developing content with global reach.Secuoya Studios is experiencing strong growth through its strategy, designed to boost the creation of scripted series, films, documentaries, and unscripted formats in multiple languages, with global ambitions. Brendan announced the company’s first English-language series for a UK client in January 2026, with two additional foreign-language projects planned. He also highlighted the arrival of Andrés Zamora to lead global Sales and Distribution, strengthening the company’s international positioning.Looking ahead, Secuoya is exploring new formats, including vertical dramas, microdramas, and half-hour comedies adaptable for multiple platforms. Fitzgerald emphasized the growing diversity of attendees at Iberseries, noting representatives from over 50 countries and calling this year’s edition the most dynamic to date.
Beta Film is also active at Iberseries this year, highlighting its long-standing ties to Spanish production. For more than 15 years, Beta Film Spain has championed projects such as Velvet and La Infiltrada, the latter earning a Goya Award. Their narrative illustrates how German and Spanish cooperation can yield successful cultural exchanges.
A panel by HBO Max underlined the importance of authenticity and social resonance in storytelling, referencing recent series such as The Topurias and Expediente Vallecas as examples of impact-driven content. Expediente Vallecas, is a three-part documentary and Buendía Estudios’ first non-fiction project for the streamer.The series revisits Spain’s most famous poltergeist case, the 1991 death of 17-year-old Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro in Madrid’s Vallecas district, officially documented by police as paranormal. Featuring unseen archives and testimonies from her family, the project aims to separate myth from fact and approach the story with a human perspective.Produced by Buendía Estudios, the docuseries is created and executive produced by Irene del Cerro and directed by Noemí Redondo.
Javier Pons — Chief Content Officer and Head of Telemundo Studios CEO contributed by discussing the network’s rise in prime time among Latin audiences. He attributed this success to building strong IPs and offering diversified stories across both OTT platforms and linear TV — proving that traditional television is still very much alive. He also noted growing interest in micro-dramas in vertical formats, especially in Latin America, where telenovela catalogs provide a strong base for short-form experimentation.
