Two Spanish series, La Moderna and La Promesa, have highlighted how Spanish storytelling now resonates worldwide by earning nominations for the 2024 International Emmys in the Best Telenovela category. The nods place both titles among a curated group of international contenders for this year’s prize, a notable milestone in Spanish television since it is uncommon for two programs from the same country to receive nominations in the same awards cycle. The double recognition marks a moment when Spanish drama captures attention beyond its home audience, supported by sharp writing, memorable performances, and production teams dedicated to compelling storytelling. It also reflects how Spanish creators, technicians, and distributors are shaping a global market for serialized fiction, with distribution networks and streaming platforms seeking distinctive Spanish voices that travel well while preserving local texture and cultural specificity.
Produced by RTVE and Mediawan in collaboration with Boomerang TV, La Moderna is based on the novel Tea Rooms linked to the Generation 27 movement. Set in a sunlit Madrid in the 1930s, the series follows a stylish tea room where the stories of staff and customers intertwine as secrets surface and social codes bend under political change. The storytelling moves between intimate conversations and the wider currents of a city on the edge, weaving character arcs into a larger tapestry of era, class, and ambition. Its careful plotting and the depth of its characters have earned praise from critics and audiences, fueling talk of a third season already in development. Viewers respond to the way the drama blends personal moments with broader cultural shifts, and the production values—from set design to performances—create a palpable sense of time and place that travels well through subtitled and locally adapted releases. The show’s appeal extends beyond national borders, with translations and localizations expanding its reach to new audiences who crave character-driven drama anchored in historical specificity.
The romance at the heart of La Promesa unfolds within the Palacio de los Marqueses de Luján, where power, loyalty, and desire collide behind ornate ceilings and hidden corridors. La Promesa, a drama produced by RTVE in collaboration with STUDIOCANAL and Bambú Producciones, was conceived and brought to life by a team of writers and producers who aimed to recreate the atmosphere of a gilded yet fragile era. The series quickly became a ratings leader, drawing in audiences with its tightly wound narrative and a rhythm of twists that reward patient viewing. The romance between Jana and Manuel threads through a broader cast of palace residents and the orbiting entourage, anchoring a tapestry of ambition, politics, and social change. Visually ambitious, with strong character work and evocative dialogue, the show cuts through a crowded streaming landscape and contributes to a wider conversation about how historical drama can illuminate contemporary themes. It has sparked discussion among viewers who appreciate dense plotting, lush production design, and performances that convey vulnerability and ambition in equal measure. Punt de no retorn, a Catalan documentary series, has also earned a nomination in the Best Documentary Series category. It explores global transformation by examining social and environmental changes shaping the modern world, highlighting the strength of regional documentary production and its ability to tackle timely issues with clarity and nuance. By pairing rigorous reporting with engaging storytelling, Punt de no retorn demonstrates how documentary work can provoke discussion about real-world challenges and invite diverse perspectives. The recognition reinforces the value of non-fiction programming from regional broadcasters and signals a durable appetite among international audiences for thoughtful, issue-driven documentary series that go beyond surface analysis and invite deeper understanding.