Atlantika Films pitches this as an ambitious, high-quality reunion with two powerful actresses whose off-screen voices align with the show’s themes of justice and community.
Insiders whisper that the good vs. evil framing is a thinly veiled critique of current political extremism, with demons serving as metaphors for those manipulating power from the shadows.
The series will be pitched at Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market on Nov. 16-17. It is loosely based on Manuel Mujica Lainez’s novel 'The Journey of the Seven Demons' and seeks the €50,000 Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award.
Two of Spain’s most vocal stars are finally teaming up to hunt down the metaphorical demons running the country. The receipts say the demons are already here.
Stop scrolling and start paying attention, because the internet’s favorite power couple of protest and performance is finally getting a script worthy of their combined firepower. Karla Sofía Gascón, Oscar-nominated for “Emilia Perez,” and Itziar Ituño of “Money Heist,” have officially committed to starring in “When Devils Rule” (“Los demones mandan”). This isn’t just another Spanish drama; it’s a six-part political fantasy satire that promises to expose the monsters hiding in plain sight within our highest institutions. Produced by Atlantika Films, the project is currently in development and is set to be pitched at Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market on November 16-17. The plot is where the tea gets hot. The series is described as a contemporary thriller spiced with supernatural folklore and biting satire. The logline warns that “demons hide in plain sight, manipulating the powerful and pulling the strings of a world sliding into chaos.” Created by Atlantika founder Nano Arrieta and Claudia Ruíz, the show is loosely based on Argentine author Manuel Mujica Lainez’s novel “The Journey of the Seven Demons.” But don’t expect a literal adaptation. Arrieta told Variety that the creators tweaked the source material to reflect the current global mood: “Looking at the world we live in today, our feeling was: the demons are already here. You only have to look at genocide, the rise of fascism, political extremism and everything that is happening around us.” Gascón will step into the role of Manuela, a teacher at an elite school, while Ituño plays Evita, the personal secretary to the prime minister of the series’ fictional country. They are joined by two other heroines working in care and healthcare, all connected through a community center. These four women from working-class backgrounds are the ones stepping in where institutions fail, helping neighbors and migrants while trying to unmask the demons embedded within society. Arrieta emphasized that the casting of Gascón and Ituño was intentional, noting that their “strong personalities and voices beyond the screen” are “completely aligned with what the series wants to talk about.” For those keeping score, this marks a significant reunion for Ituño with director Rodrigo Susarte, known for “Hidden Island” and “Gen Mishina.” The pair recently collaborated on “Patagonia,” an eco-thriller set to premiere on Movistar Plus in January 2027. Financially, the production is leveraging Spain’s Basque region tax incentive to cover around 60% of costs, with Arrieta actively seeking partners to help build the “strongest, highest quality version” of the series. At the Tallinn market, “When Devils Rule” will compete for the €50,000 ($56,000) Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award. With William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s painting “Dante and Virgil” serving as promotional material, the aesthetic is clear: this is a descent into hell, led by women who are ready to fight back.
