Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has cast Latin pop icon Belinda in the lead role of its upcoming epic drama Carlota, marking one of the studio’s most ambitious Latin American productions to date.
The 10-episode series, each 45 minutes long, will follow the story of Carlota of Habsburg, Mexico’s first and only Empress. Inspired by true events, the show reimagines Carlota as a progressive and visionary royal who arrives in Mexico filled with idealism and a desire to change the world. But as political instability and cultural conflicts intensify, she becomes entangled in a complex reality—one that includes a love story far from the fairy tale she envisioned.
Production is set to begin later this year, with filming locations spanning Mexico, Colombia, and Spain.
“This project marks a significant milestone for us in Latin America,” said John Rossiter, Executive VP of Distribution, Networks & Production for SPT Latin America. “Carlota is not only a powerful story with emotional depth but also an international production with global appeal.”
Belinda, known for her roles in Killer Women and her chart-topping music career, will portray Carlota. She leads a star-studded Spanish and Latin American cast that includes Jaime Lorente (Money Heist) as Emperor Maximilian, Miguel Ángel Silvestre (Sense8) as Alfred Van Der Smissen, and Mabel Cadena (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) as Josefa.
Alejandro Bazzano (Money Heist) and Ana Lorena Pérez Ríos (Like Water for Chocolate) will direct the series. The show’s executive producers include Coty Cagliolo, Carlos Quintanilla Sakar—who also serves as showrunner—Alejandro García, and Madelaine Contreras.
SPT is leveraging incentives across its filming territories and aims to capitalize on the growing global demand for high-budget local productions, especially period dramas, which tend to perform well on streaming platforms.
Carlota is part of SPT Latin America’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the region. Its latest release, Yo No Soy Mendoza, debuted last month on Netflix and quickly became a global Top 10 non-English TV show, also ranking in the Top 10 across 14 Latin American countries.
“Our development pipeline is booming,” said Rossiter. “The real challenge is choosing which projects to move forward first.”
Carlota will be showcased at LA Screenings and is expected to draw strong international interest.
Related topics:
