StarzPlay and Sony announced that they are developing an 8-part series that portrays the life and reign of King Emeritus Juan Carlos I of Spain, which abruptly abdicated in 2014 after a 40-year rule. The series will be directed by a creative team led by producers Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24) and Alex Gansa (Homeland), winners of the Golden Globe and Emmy awards.

Gordon expressed his excitement over this new project saying: “Those who know me know my fascination for Spain and few stories of the 20th century have captivated me more than the life of King Juan Carlos I. Beyond the overwhelming saga of his family’s exile, his accession to the throne and the palace intrigue that followed. There is an intimate story about a man trapped between two worlds, whose personal sacrifice and love for the country managed to bring democracy to the Spanish people. I am looking forward to telling his story over many seasons”.

On the other hand, the developers of the program highlight the importance of these contents produced in the original language of their respective countries. In that sense, Superna Kalle, Starz executive, remarked: “Our commitment to creating premium local language content for a global audience is unwavering to continually enrich the offer, as well as to explore new and provocative international stories”.