ITV Studios has taken a majority stake in leading Spanish scripted production company Plano a Plano, founded by seasoned producer César Benítez.
One of the very few big Spanish TV companies not to have been acquired by foreign interests, Plano a Plano has produced series such as “Valeria,” based on the novels by Elisabet Benavent, ranked in Netflix’s Top 5 most-viewed international dramas globally; “El Príncipe,” a thriller series produced for Mediaset España sold to more than 60 territories, and “Servir y proteger,” a daily soap for Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.
Benítez, CEO Emilio Amaré and executive producer Álvaro Benítez will continue to lead the label, reporting to London-based Lisa Perrin, ITV Studios managing director, international production.
Launched in 2011, with headquarters in Madrid and Bilbao, Plano a Plano will sit alongside ITV Studios Iberia in Spain, the joint venture launched in 2023 by ITV Studios and scripted label Cattleya Producciones, both led by Nathalie García.
Plano a Plano’s new heist series, “Ladrones: La tiara de Santa Águeda” (“Suspicious Minds”) recently premiered on Disney+. It is producing two titles for Netflix: upcoming miniseries “Toda la verdad de mis mentiras” (“All the Truth Behind My Lies”), an adaptation of another Elisabet Benavent novel, as well as psychological thriller “Innato,” in association with Dynamic Television.
The label is also producing “Ella, maldita alma” for Mediaset and its first feature film, Miguel Ángel Vivas’ historical drama “La Tregua,” teaming with RTVE and Netflix.
Having produced more than 50 films and TV series, César Benítez began his career in film production and founded his first company, Cristal Producciones Cinematográficas, in 1988.
Cristal later became the major Spanish TV and cinema producer, BocaBoca Producciones – now part of the Izen Group.
At BocaBoca, Benítez produced titles such as cop drama “El Comisario,” youth daily soap “Al salir de clase” and critically acclaimed features such as “Planta Cuarta,” “Nos Miran,” “Cha Cha Cha,” “El amor perjudica seriamente la salud,” “Todos los hombres sois iguales and “Boca A Boca.”
In 2011, he founded Plano a Plano, creating and producing some of the most successful series for Spain’s free-to-air TV market, such as “El Príncipe,” broadcast by Mediaset España, and “Allí Abajo” (“Down Below”), aired by Atresmedia.
Amaré began his career in the financial department of Globomedia and became financial director at Prisa’s MOS in 2003. He joined Plano a Plano in 2013 and became general manager and a partner in 2016.
Álvaro Benítez joined Plano a Plano as a partner in 2018, executive producing titles such as “Cicatriz,” “La tregua” and “Innato.”
“After admiring César, Emilio and Álvaro’s work for many years, I am so delighted that they have accepted our offer to join ITV Studios. They bring such incredible skill, creativity and relationships. The Spanish language scripted market, built on a heritage of cinematic skill, continues to grow from strength to strength. It’s burgeoning with opportunity including high demand from viewers and clients in Spain and globally,” Lisa Perrin said in a statement.
“This partnership reflects a shared vision for growth and creative excellence. It offers resources and experience for the many opportunities ahead to tell more stories on a broader canvas. We are excited for what the future holds with ITV Studios,” added César Benítez, Emilio Amaré and Álvaro Benítez.