Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat, formerly known as Televisió de Cataunya (TVC), is in talks to make Season 2 of ‘This is Not Sweden’ with the same creative team and producers of Season 1. A distribution deal with a platform is pending.
The Prix Europe-winning series set in a tony middle-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Barcelona was co-produced by Spain’s RTVE and TV3 with Sweden’s SVT, Germany’s NDR and Finland’s YLE. In the family dramedy series, a young Spanish couple relocates there to provide their children with an optimal quality of life, drawing inspiration from northern European models.
“I’m convinced that we will end up collaborating further with Nordic countries,” said Pío Vernis, 3Cat audiovisual business director, who added: “They are quite small countries with their own language, but with high production standards, as we are.”
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Speaking to Variety just before Mipcom, he stressed 3Cat’s push for more international co-productions, sometimes as lead producers but also as minority participants. “We don’t just initiate co-production projects or originate projects we finance 100%. I’m obsessed with the idea of joining forces with operators outside Spain, taking a significant minority stake. The projects can be in English, and important commercial projects.” Vernis went on.
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“We’re lucky to have an industrial ecosystem that is already globalized. So, the overwhelming logic tells us to participate in several projects, and not necessarily be the ones leading them. We will analyze the projects, identify which ones look promising, their allocation, and so on,” he added.
3Cat returns to Mipcom with major documentaries, fiction and various new projects seeking key partners:
“Delta Aquaterra” (miniseries, 6×45′)
A “rural psychological thriller with two female protagonists,” says Vernis, “Delta” is set in the rural Ebre Delta, a striking landscape that mirrors the region’s environmental and social issues. With its haunting setting and tense atmosphere, the series aims to hook audiences from the pilot episode. Produced in collaboration with Globomedia’s Veranda, behind 3Cat smash hit “Merlí.”
“Time Out” (documentary feature 100′)
One of the most intriguing original productions from 3Cat, this film tells the astonishing story of Charles Thomas, the former FC Barcelona basketball player who mysteriously vanished in 1980 and was found in a homeless shelter years later. Packed with 100 minutes of suspense and intrigue, it will be released in theaters by A Contracorriente Films. “This is a charming doc feature. We’d like it to play cinema circuits, festivals, so we’ll wait until it has done so before airing on 3Cat,” Vernis said.
“Never Have I Ever 2” (reality series, 8×45’)
Set in another summer camp, Season 2 takes audiences through the ups and downs of its teen protagonists.
“Quiet” (series, 9×50′) (“El mal invisible”)
Produced by 3CAT and The Mediapro Studio, this psychological thriller series world premiered at the Sitges International Film Festival and is set to be released in 2025. Based on true events, the series explores an insidious evil that has permeated society: aporophobia, the hatred or fear of the poor. Featuring complex characters and a compelling narrative, “Quiet” investigates the dark repercussions of this social prejudice, delivering a poignant critique of contemporary inequality. The Mediapro Distribution handles international sales, though 3Cat shares international rights.
“Dating Barcelona” Season 2 (reality series, 6×50′)
Season 2 of the six-episode series is produced by Filmax and Citas La Serie, AIE, in partnership with Prime Video and 3CAT. Premiering on 3CAT on October 16 and on Prime Video on October 21, this new season explores the thrills of online dating in Barcelona, showcasing the complex dynamics of modern relationships with a fresh narrative.
“Point of No Return” (documentary series, 7×20′)
Emmy-nominated short docs series produced by 3Cat and directed by Raúl Gallego, features cinematic, intimate, and innovative storytelling. This observational series offers a gripping look at the unprecedented changes our world is currently undergoing. Episode subjects range from militias in Palestine to AI, Milei’s Argentina and robots in Japan, said Vernis.
At the same time, 3CAT is touting the success of “Crimes,” with Seasons 6 and 7 underway. This has already sold to Movistar Plus, Netflix, and ZDF, among others. Additionally, “Asphalt II” is in development, set to delve into universal themes and emotional connections through short-form episodes of approximately 20 minutes each.
A content generator in the Catalan language for over 40 years, 3CAT launched a Catalan-language streaming platform last year, which already claims more than a million subscribers, per Vernis, who added that they’ve noted more than 400,000 unique views a week.
