Beta Film has closed major deals for two of its female-led highlights: royal drama “Queen Silvia” and upcoming series “La Vida Barcelona.”
Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT has acquired the Swedish second window rights after Prime Video to “Queen Silvia” ahead of its world premiere in Cannes, while German public broadcaster ZDF has joined “La Vida Barcelona” as co-production partner alongside Beta Film and Millstreet Films.
Produced by Germany’s Pyjama Pictures and Unlimited Stories for Prime Video in German-language territories and Nordics, and Sat.1, “Queen Silvia” brings to the screen the romance between German Brazilian interpreter Silvia Sommerlath (Alicia von Rittberg, “Charité,” “Becoming Elisabeth,” “Call My Agent! Berlin,” “Miss Sophie”) and Swedish Crown Prince Carl Gustaf (Edvin Endre, “The Playlist,” “Vikings,” “Hammarskjöld – Fight for Peace”). What began as a chance encounter at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich developed into one of Europe’s most famous royal love stories. The series follows the couple as they travel between Munich, Stockholm and the Côte d’Azur, shedding light on the challenges they face in balancing love, duty and personal ambitions.
Karolina Stallwood, president for acquisitions at SVT, said: “ ‘Queen Silvia’ is a romantic drama inspired by the real-life love story of Silvia Sommerlath and Crown Prince Carl Gustaf. Set against the backdrop of the early 1970s, the series offers a warm and engaging portrayal of their relationship and the events surrounding it. We’re very pleased to bring the series to SVT’s audience.”
Emil Wiklund at Sweden’s Unlimited Stories said: “It is a privilege to bring the love story of our King and Queen to the Swedish audience. We hope to capture the emotional truth of a love that has endured for almost 55 years.”
“Queen Silvia” is directed by Miguel Alexandre (“Sisi,” “Gran Paradiso,” “Shades of Happiness”), who co-wrote the screenplay with Lisa Hofer (“Black Island”), serving as head writers, and Pauline Wolff (“Stockholm Requiem,” “Vaka”). The showrunner is Carsten Kelber; the executive producers are Tina Ermuth, Frank Buchs, Carsten Kelber, Emil Wiklund, Manya Lutz-Moneim and Justus Riesenkampff. Pia Lüke, Tim Bahalou and Frida Wallman are the producers. The series is supported by German Motion Picture Fund (GMPF), Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg (MBB), and FilmFörderung Bayern (FFF).
“Queen Silvia” celebrates its world premiere on Tuesday at the Grand Auditorium in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
From the producers of hit series “Máxima” and the director of “Emily in Paris,” “La Vida Barcelona” dives into the vibrant world of Barcelona’s creative scene with an emotional coming-of-age story about ambition, identity, love and finding the courage to follow your own path.
“Euphoria’s” Priscilla Delgado and Greta Fernández from “The Walking Dead” are starring alongside lead actress Holly Mae Brood. The series is directed by Katina Medina Mora (“Emily in Paris,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “XO, Kitty”), Charlotte Scott-Wilson (“Hold On”) and Ayla Spaans (“Rakhi & Peppe,” “When We Were Strangers”).
Produced by Rachel van Bommel of Millstreet Films, “La Vida Barcelona” follows young Dutch designer Julia, who is sent to Barcelona by her powerful mother with a secret mission to undermine a rival agency. But the city soon turns her plans upside down as Julia becomes drawn into a new job, a new life and two unexpected romances.
Frank Seyberth, head of co-production, international fiction at ZDF, said: “We are excited to join ‘La Vida Barcelona’ as a co-production partner. With its relatable characters, romantic tone, the vibrant energy of Barcelona and a strong creative team, the series has all the ingredients to reach young audiences both in Germany and internationally.”
“La Vida Barcelona” is produced by Millstreet Films for Videoland in the Netherlands. The series, currently in post-production, also stars Martiño Rivas (“El Internado”) and Agustín Della Corte (“Society of the Snow”), with scripts by Emily Reekers, Jikkie Schelling and Alix van der Goes.
Nestor Hernandez is executive producer for Beta Film. The series is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund Production Incentive, the Spanish Tax Rebate and the Creative Europe Media program.
Beta Film handles international sales for both titles.