HBO Max just unveiled an overall deal with Domingo Corral, the influential Spanish exec most recently at Movistar Plus+.
The first-look pact will see the streamer gaining “exclusive television services in Spain” from indie producer Corral, who is making something of a return to the Warner Bros. Discovery fold having worked at Turner for 15 years until 2014.
His deal has already spawned a project, which is in development. The show will focus on the disappearance of petty criminal El Nani (aka Santiago Correla).
It is written and directed by Alberto Rodríguez alongside Rafael Cobos., who were behind The Anatomy of a Moment, which was a Corral commission and debuted at his former home Movistar Plus+ last year and will screen at Series Mania this week in France.
Per the synopsis: “The series about the disappearance of El Nani will be set against the backdrop of Spain in the early 1980s, as it transitions to democracy, a time where the country faces a surge of crimes and the highest rates of bank robberies in the world. To combat public fear, a police unit with broad powers is created – staffed by Francoist officers – and operates with near total impunity.
“After a fatal robbery, a young small-time thief known as Nani is wrongfully arrested by the unit and soon disappears, becoming the first missing person in the new Spanish democracy. In this thrilling new series, Rodríguez and Cobos explore another era of Spanish history, bringing to screens the long fight for democracy and the everyday people caught in its wake.”
Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content at HBO Max, unveil the pact with Corral today at Series Mania, saying: “We are so happy to partner with Domingo Corral, whose remarkable body of work has helped bring contemporary Spanish storytelling to the world stage. Domingo has long been a champion of bold, distinctive voices and a trusted collaborator across the creative community. We are honored to support this next chapter of his globally renowned work, and we look forward to the meaningful stories that will emerge from this new endeavor at HBO.”
Corral said: today “I am delighted to have found a partner with whom I can continue producing the series I have always believed in. HBO’s commitment to quality, boldness, and originality has always inspired my approach to the art of storytelling.”
Corral is the former Head of Content at Movistar Plus+. His exit last year led to an outcry from the Spanish creative community, who lined up to support of his work and impact championing creative voices and against what they saw as a damaging change for the local production community. Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Pedro Almodóvar were among the 144 who signed the open letter.
He had joined Telefónica’s TV division in 2014 as Head of Content, and spearheaded a creative boom for the streamer. Among films he greenlit were upcoming Bardem pic The Beloved and La Bola Negra, plus the Academy Award-nominated Sirât and San Sebastian best film winner Sundays. On the TV side, his commissions included The Anatomy of a Moment, Querer, La Mesías, Riot Police and Celeste.
Prior to Telefónica, Corral was General Manager of Turner Iberia, overseeing the operations of channels including CNN, TCM, Boing, Cartoon Network, and TNT in Spain, which are all in the WBD family.
In an interview with Deadline, Aubrey said: “When I met him, I saw a kindred spirit in terms of someone who approaches their job as an executive with almost a ‘producorial’ approach. I approached him almost immediately.
“He is a good grower of special films and television series. In my experience as an executive and producer, I love finding people I work well with. It’s very hard to make something good so when someone has the same temperament and ambition as you, you tend to hold on to that person, and I think that is Domingo.
“In Spain, people love to work with him, and his taste is exquisite. I feel so lucky to have him in the family with us now and we’re going to get into a lot of good trouble together – I’m counting on it.”