It’s no surprise to see the efforts major networks are now making to create content that appeals to Latino viewers. This can be partly attributed to the population growth of Latinos in the United States and of course due to the success of shows like The CW’s Jane the Virgin and Hulu’s East Los high which features an all Latino cast.
And now it looks like Starz is joining other major networks to push towards targeting people from underrepresented backgrounds. NBC currently has three series (Superstore, Telenovela, Shades of Blue) featuring Latinas in lead roles (America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez).
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Albrecht, the CEO of Starz, announced how the network will be focusing on targeting Latino audiences. Starz plans on accomplishing this through the adaptation of three Spanish-language formats, which were all created, written, and produced by Latinos.
Albrecht said “The audiences we’re going for is the bilingual, second-generation audience. It’s an audience that is hard to corral because there are a lot of different cultural elements there. It’s an audience that is very engaged in premium television, but it’s an audience that if we lean into them a little we can show them that Starz has them on our minds.”
Below, are several descriptions for the 3 upcoming projects soon to be launched by Starz:
Maleficio, an hour-long supernatural thriller that will center on Don Enrique De Martino, a powerful Mexican businessman who makes a deadly deal with the devil. The showrunner for the upcoming series will be writer-producer Mauricio Katz (The Bridge).
Pour Vida, a half-hour dramedy that follows the Hernandez sisters who inherit a building in East L.A. and attempt to open a wine bar. Producers for Pour Vida will be Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine), Dan Pasternack and Erin Keating (Portlandia).
Santeria, a supernatural drama that will center on two undercover agents who investigate a strange murder. The drama will give insight on the complex relationship between the Cuban people and Santeria, the ancient religion which began in Cuba. Cuban writer-director Alejandro Brugues (From Dusk Till Dawn), Eduardo Sanchez (From Dusk Till Dawn, The Blair Witch Project), and Gregg Hale (The Blair Witch Project) will serve as executive producers and directors for the series.
Thumbs up to all the networks that are shifting towards representing more groups in a positive light!