Starz is headed to Cuba. The network has announced that they are developing a new Cuba-set drama titled Santeria.
The projects comes from writer/director Alejandro Brugues.
The drama will follow two undercover agents tasked to investigate a mysterious murder on the island of Cuba. They soon discover the murder is linked to a “supernatural conflict” between sects of the ancient religion Santeria.
Read the official description below:
STARZ EXPANDS DIVERSE PROGRAMMING WITH DEVELOPMENT OF “SANTERIA” FROM CUBAN WRITER/DIRECTOR ALEJANDRO BRUGUES
Supernatural Series to be Executive Produced by Alejandro Brugues and Haxan Films’ Eduardo Sanchez and Gregg Hale
Pasadena, Calif. – January 8, 2016 – Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced at today’s Starz Television Critics Association (TCA) presentation at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena, Calif. that Starz’ diverse programming strategy continues with the development of “Santeria.” Cuban writer and director Alejandro Brugues (“From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” Juan of the Dead) and Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project, “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”) will executive produce and direct with Gregg Hale (Exists, Lovely Molly, The Blair Witch Project) serving as executive producer for the supernatural series.
Cuba, its doors finally open to the world. But a secret war brews there, a clash between opposing sects of Santeria, the ancient religion born on the island. Two undercover agents investigating a bizarre murder are pulled into this supernatural conflict and discover it’s more dangerous and far-reaching than anything they could have imagined.
Alejandro Brugues, best known for the zombie comedy Juan of the Dead, has received many film festival awards from all over the world, including a Spanish Goya Award and Fangoria’s Best Foreign Film. He contributed a segment to the horror anthology “The ABCs of Death 2” and has directed an episode of “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.”
Gregg Hale and Eduardo Sanchez have been creative partners in film, television and advertising for more than 19 years through their company Haxan Films. They are best known for creating horror films including The Blair Witch Project, Altered, Lovely Molly and their involvement in the VHS anthology. Their films have played festivals worldwide including Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, and South by Southwest (SXSW), garnering multiple awards including an Independent Spirit Award and the Prix de la Jeunesse.”
What do you think? Would you watch Santeria? Are you glad Starz is diversifying their content?
Not holding my breath that this series will be, in any way, relevant to the actual faith whose name they use. “Santeria” is an animist, nature-based faith which espouses very clear ethical codes of conduct. It’s God and deities are not supporters of violence. This completely fantastical idea that its members are secretly conducting strange wars between sects is completely ludicrous. It’s offensive to believers of the faith. I’m glad Eduardo can profit from the lack of knowledge about one of Cuba’s main religious traditions. I doubt he cares that he reinforces discriminatory stereotypes about it, as long as he… Read more »