Follow a dream and make it real. This is the journey of Carlos Ruano, a native of Alicante whose passion for cinema has carried him to this moment. With a nod to the idea of starting from nothing, he embraced Madrid to pursue a future among scripts, cameras, actors, and filming. Now 43, his name appears in series such as Physics and Chemistry featuring Jean Reno, A Special Relationship, and Netflix’s new series Breathe.
Let’s begin at the start. Ruano recalls a lifelong fascination with cinema. “When I was 15, I picked up my family’s camera and shot crude short films with friends.” After studying at the Cabo de la Huerta Institute, he pursued Physiotherapy at Miguel Hernández University because his parents urged a steady career. When he finished, he felt it was now or never and set off for Madrid.
The early days were tough. He balanced studies with a shared apartment that felt on the edge of collapse, yet the experience brought peers who shared the same ambitions. He joined a general film program at a school, which provided a broad vision after which he completed a master’s in screenwriting at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
“I always wink at Alicante in the scripts, whenever someone leaves the show we either kill them or send them to the provinces, to the coast or to Benidorm.”
The first big break as a screenwriter came with the youth TV series Physics and Chemistry in the late 2000s. This project acted as a launching pad, introducing Ársula Corberó, Maxi Iglesias, Andrea Duro, and Javier Calvo to stardom. A test led by creator and coordinator Carlos Montero convinced Ruano to join as a screenwriter. “He gave me a chance; the early days were daunting because of the pressure,” he explains.
When Montero left during the fourth season, Ruano stepped up as script coordinator. “It felt like arriving at a well-loved, thriving show and deciding to ride the wave rather than start over.” He accepts that challenge with a practical smile.
Subsequent work included the thriller reimaginings in the series Tell Me a Story, the musical drama Live Singing, and the intense Private Affairs starring Jean Reno and Aura Garrido, now streaming on Amazon Prime, as well as the horror feature Thirteen Exorcisms.
Aura Garrido and Jean Reno, the stars of Amazon’s new release ‘A Private Affair’
Between writing and scripting, Ruano directed four short films. In 2006, Dulces explored LGBTQ+ themes deeply; in 2011, Turno de Noche; in 2017, Piscina; and finally Tu scissors in my ear, featuring Miguel Ángel Muñoz as a leading figure. He has always loved directing, yet his professional path has pulled him toward writing more. “What I do with shorts is sometimes to satisfy the urge to direct, and then move on.”
Tu scissors in my ear continues to be recognized, having been selected 95 times across festivals and receiving 28 awards. It also nearly earned a Goya nomination for best short film. “It’s a shame, they told me it’s not just about quality, it also depends on the people you know. I come from television, not much from cinema,” he reflects.
The latest project, where he served as both executive producer and script coordinator, is Netflix’s Breathe, currently in production. It marks one of the streaming giant’s biggest bets, led by a stellar cast including Najwa Nimri, Aitana Sánchez Gijón, Blanca Suárez, and Manu Ríos.
The shift from feature film to television writing is considerable in timing and scope. A movie script evolves slowly with multiple versions, while a TV series demands a faster pace and a long arc to maintain continuity across episodes and seasons.
After years in Madrid, Ruano returned to the United States briefly and then launched a production company. He notes a recurring hurdle: Alicante’s limited support for projects and competition. The short Tu scissors in my ear demonstrated potential for him to helm as a director from Alicante, yet the broader industry remains challenging to promote locally.
Ruano often cites the City of Light as an example: many in Madrid’s film world are unaware that facilities have reopened. He points to a lack of publicity and a tendency to praise the advantages of shooting in studios, climate, and other factors—yet questions remain about awareness and access. “People still ask, ‘Wasn’t it closed?’ and that’s a pity.”
“Avatar” company is one step away from ruling Ciudad de la Luz
Directing shorts to filmmaking is a big leap, and Ruano is excited, though not rushing plans. His ongoing mission is to weave Alicante into every project, ensuring the city makes its mark. “Whenever someone leaves a series, I try to thread Alicante into the story—either by letting the character leave for the coast, or Benidorm, or returning to Alicante itself,” he smiles.