HBO Europe unveils first Spanish original

HBO Europe has announced its first original Spanish series. Patria is an eight-episode daptation of Fernando Aramburu’s bestselling novel, written and produced by Aitor Gabilondo and directed by Pablo Trapero and Félix Viscarret. 

Produced by Alea Media, Patria will start shooting in the North of Spain early 2019. The series is an HBO Europe Original Production, with the participation of HBO Latin America.

The series, set in the Basque Country, relates the story of two families divided by the separatist conflict and ETA’s terrorist campaign in the region over 30 years.

Patria will premiere day-and-date across HBO Europe territories, and will also premiere on HBO Latin America. It will also be available to HBO’s US subscribers across the channel’s platforms, including HBO Go, HBO Now, HBO On Demand and participating television and streaming partner platforms.

Antony Root

HBO launched its Spanish service two years ago in partnership with exclusive distributor Vodafone, offering content including Game of Thrones, Westworld, Veep, Silicon Valley, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and The Wire

HBO Europe launched its first coproduction effort with HBO Latin America earlier this year, when the pair collaborated on a 10-part documentary series, Destino Rusia 2018, about footballers from Latin America and Europe in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup.

“A personal, human story that unfolds against the backdrop of political violence in the Basque country, and which explores themes of grief, community and forgiveness, Patria is at once acutely local and affectingly universal,” said Antony Root, EVP of original programming and production, HBO Europe.

“That we have such an outstanding creative team to bring it to life is testament to our ambition for the series, and its appeal to both Spanish and international audiences.  It is the perfect project to kick-off HBO Europe’s drama slate in Spain.”