David Farnor | On 04, Jul 2018

Netflix is teaming up with Salma Hayek’s production company for a new original series, Monarca.

Hayek, who was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Frida in 2003, founded Ventanarosa Productions in 1998, going on to produce numerous TV shows and films, including Ugly Better, Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, The Maldonado Miracle, El coronel no tiene quien le escriba, and In the Time of the Butterflies. Now, Ventanarosa is partnering with Netflix for a multi-generational family drama.

Irene Azuela (Quemar las Naves, El hotel de los secretos, Las oscuras primaveras) and Juan Manuel Bernal will star in the series, which follows the world of wealthy Mexican elites riddled by corruption, scandal and violence.

Produced by Lemon Studios and Stearns Castle, Monarca drops us into the world of a tequila-born Mexican business empire, charting the battle that ensues when a member of the family decides to fight the dirty system her family helped create. It is created by Diego Gutierrez and written by Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici and Sandra García Velten.

“I’m extremely excited to partner with Netflix, and to be working with amazing Mexican talent in front of and behind the camera. We are proud to show Mexico as a vibrant, sophisticated and culturally rich nation, fighting to control its own destiny.” says Hayek.

Gutierrez, who serves as showrunner, adds: “This is the definition of a passion project for me. Having been born and raised in Mexico, I’m humbled to have the opportunity to tell this story with Netflix and the incredibly talented team of people we’re assembling, both in The US and Mexico.”

“Mexico is a top priority for us in which to continue to develop series,” comments Erik Barmack, Netflix VP, International Originals, “and we look forward to bringing the best originals to the world through partnerships with key players such as Ventanarosa and Lemon Studios.”

Monarca will begin production this autumn and will launch globally on Netflix in 2019.

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