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New Regency has taken international distribution rights outside Spain to “Genesis” (“Gènesi”), the six-part 3Cat drama about Ferran Adrià, the chef behind the groundbreaking El Bulli.
The series will screen its first
two episodes as part of the San Sebastián Film Festival’s Other Activities on Sept. 21, the same day it launches on Catalan broadcaster TV3 and streaming platform 3Cat.
New Regency will launch “Genesis” to international buyers at Mipcom in October.
The “Genesis” trailer:
Netflix’s involvement was previously announced, with the streamer set to carry the series in Spain on SVOD, as well as Europe, Latin America and the U.S.
Under the distribution agreement, New Regency holds first-window rights in territories outside Netflix’s deal. It also controls second-window distribution in Netflix territories, allowing it, after an exclusivity period, to further license the series.
The company has recently expanded its international sales operation to include third-party acquisitions, acting as an independent sales agent for outside producers and projects.
“‘Genesis’ represents a fantastic addition to our international slate. What makes this series so compelling is the extraordinary story rooted in real events, a balance of authentic history and rich human drama,” Marco Arabit, SVP and co-head of international at New Regency, told Variety.
“Food culture has an unparalleled ability to resonate across different languages and territories to bring people together, and the incredible craftsmanship behind recreating the El Bulli phenomenon ensures this series will captivate viewers all around the world.”
“Genesis” is produced by 3Cat with Barcelona-based Minoria Absoluta and Fishcorb Media, headed by producer Roger Corbi, in collaboration with the Government of Catalonia and with support from the ICEC.
Led by Miquel Fernández (“Mirage”) as Ferran Adrià, the cast also includes Ivan Massagué (“The Platform”), Mónica López (“Rapa”), Carlos Cuevas (“Merlí”), Pere Arquillué (“La vampira de Barcelona”), Mario Gas (“Isabel”) and Joana Vilapuig (“The Red Band Society”).
Spanning six episodes, “Genesis” traces the period in which Adrià, alongside Juli Soler and Albert Adrià, transformed El Bulli from a restaurant on Catalonia’s Cala Montjoi into one of the most influential institutions in international haute cuisine.
The drama moves across two timelines. One follows a young Adrià as he arrives almost by chance at El Bulli in the 1980s and meets Soler, played by Massagué, beginning a creative transformation that would radically reshape modern gastronomy.
Running alongside that story is the fictional tale of Glòria Canabach, a retired food critic who returns from the U.S. following her father’s death and reconnects with her niece Lola. Together, they attempt to reopen the family restaurant, creating a parallel story about cuisine, identity and memory.
Adrià and the El Bulli Foundation were directly involved in the production, which recreated more than 70 original dishes for filming with former members of El Bulli’s kitchen team, including Eduard Bosch and Marc Cuspinera. Adrià and Pujol selected the dishes from among the 1,846 creations produced at El Bulli over the restaurant’s history.
