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Globo and Sony Pictures Television to co-develop and co-produce two English-language scripted dramas

May 23, 2019

Maribel Ramos-Weiner

Globo SPT

Globo and Sony Pictures Television (SPT), have announced a multi-project deal to co-develop and co-produce two English-language scripted dramas, with a third project forthcoming.

SPT-backed Floresta is set to co-produce the exciting new projects in partnership with Globo Studios.

The collaboration marks the first venture into English-language drama for both Floresta and Globo Studios. The first two projects in development, The Angel of Hamburg and Rio Connection, are based on true Brazilian stories that highlight the country’s incredible legacy of heroism and scandal on the world stage.

SPT will have global distribution rights outside of Brazil, while Globo plans to broadcast it on its free-to-air channel in primetime and on Grupo Globo’s platforms.

The Angel of Hamburg, a limited series with lavish production, is based on the life of Aracy de Carvalho, a Brazilian clerk in the Consulate in Hamburg, married to the acclaimed writer João Guimarães Rosa, and who secretly helped hundreds of Jews escape to Brazil during the Nazi regime in Germany.

Rio Connection centers on the real-life story of the European gangsters who established Brazil as the single most important organized crime hub for trafficking heroin into the United States in the 1970s.

“We are extremely excited to team up with the production powerhouse, Globo Studios, on these projects. The Angel of Hamburg and Rio Connection are the latest examples of our commitment to tell compelling, locally relevant stories that have universal appeal and can resonate with audiences around the world,” said Wayne Garvie, president International Production for Sony Pictures Television.

Carlos Henrique Schroder, Chief Executive Officer of Globo added: “We are excited to venture into new challenges, exchange experiences with our new partner and potentially tap into new markets. The production of The Angel of Hamburg and Rio Connection is one more step Globo has taken in its pursuit of becoming an international player in the production of high-end drama and short-format content. We believe in the universal appeal of these stories and in the power they have to move audiences on a global scale.”

Both productions are under responsibility of Globo’s Mónica Albuquerque, Head of Development, and Silvio de Abreu, Head of Drama and Comedy.

The executive production is from Floresta’s Elisabetta Zenatti and Globo Studios Ricardo Waddington. The Angel of Hamburg is written by Mario Teixeira and Rachel Anthony, and Jayme Monjardim (The Clone) will direct.