Telemundo inks deal to produce ‘La Reina del Sur’.
February 25, 2009
Telemundo announced that it has acquired the highly sought after Spanish-language television rights for a series adaptation of Arturo Perez-Reverte’s critically acclaimed novel, La Reina del Sur. The novela will carry the same title. This is the first time the novel will be adapted for television.
“The high quality and success of our original productions have attracted the best writers and talent in the world,” said Don Browne, President, Telemundo. “Acquiring the rights to La Reina del Sur is an outstanding opportunity and affirms that Telemundo is the ultimate destination for creative expression and opportunity.”
“We’re thrilled Arturo Perez-Reverte has chosen Telemundo Studios to transform his compelling story into a novela,” added Patricio Wills, President, Telemundo Television Studios. “Teresa Mendoza is one of the most fascinating characters in contemporary story-telling. We’re committing our best talent in front of and behind the cameras to bring her to life in television at the quality and production levels this epic story truly deserves.”
La Reina del Sur spans 12 years across different continents and weaves the story of the legendary character Teresa Mendoza. The story follows Teresa, whose drug smuggling lover has given her a special cell phone. He has told her if the phone rings then he has been killed and Teresa is the next target. The call eventually comes and Teresa is forced to transform herself from a young innocent girl to a woman tough enough to survive in the ugly and dangerous world of narcotic drug trafficking.
The woman who emerges surprises even those who know her legend, that of the Queen of the South.
Arturo Perez-Reverte is considered to be one of the top 10 international novelists and is one of Spain’s best-selling authors. Originally a war correspondent, he is now a full-time author. He has written five books that have been translated into 19 languages in 30 countries and have sold millions of copies.
