Scripted

At Iberseries & Platino Industria 2025, held at Madrid’s Matadero cultural center (September 30–October 3), Spanish public broadcaster RTVE presented two of its upcoming fiction highlights in a session with José Pastor, Head of Drama at RTVE. The panel, moderated by journalist Alberto Rey (El Mundo), offered an exclusive look at La Frontera and Sin Gluten, two very different projects that underscore RTVE’s commitment to delivering a diverse slate of high-quality scripted content.

Pastor emphasized the contrasting tones of the two series—one rooted in history and produced by Par Producciones,  the other in irreverent comedy—as part of a deliberate strategy to broaden the network’s fiction offering, produced by Onza. Set in 1987, La Frontera is a historical thriller that follows the tense cooperation between Spanish and French authorities against ETA. When a secret faction of the group plots a deadly attack in Paris, a Guardia Civil officer, a French police inspector, and a repentant ETA member must join forces in a high-stakes chase that crosses borders and loyalties.

Speaking about La Frontera, Pastor highlighted the importance of its historical backdrop and ambitious production values:“We’ve always found the historical context very compelling, and it allows the story to travel widely. There’s a constant pursuit that keeps the characters on the move, never repeating locations, which gives the series a strong sense of dynamism. On top of that, there are great efforts in production to authentically represent the 1980s.”

By contrast, Sin Gluten embraces a daring, rebellious tone. Sin Gluten is a daring comedy about Ricardo, a once-celebrated Michelin-starred chef whose career collapses after a scandal. Forced to start over, he reluctantly takes a teaching job at a culinary school, where a group of unlikely students and second chances lead him on a chaotic, irreverent journey of redemption:“It’s a comedy with a slightly irreverent, edgy profile—pushed to the limit. It’s about a descent into hell and a possible rebirth that follows. But everything is told through comedy, with a bold and provocative theme. We also believe it’s essential to maintain comedy as part of our offering.”

Beyond the series, Pastor also addressed the impact of Spain’s tax incentives on the audiovisual industry, stressing how they have reshaped financing and production models:“Tax incentives provide us with an additional source of financing, which means we don’t have to cover 100% of the project’s costs. This allows producers to retain a share of the IP, which is beneficial for everyone.”