NATPE Hot Pick: The Hypochondriac

Eighteen months ago, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) signed a three-year coproduction agreement with Caracol Television, a Colombian producer/broadcaster that has 10,000 hours of content in its archive and has sold shows into 80 countries.

The purpose of the deal was to create a number of original television series. At NATPE, the first fruits of that partnership will be unveiled: a new telenovela called The Hypochondriac.

Explaining the plot, Angelica Guerra, a former Caracol executive who is now senior VP and managing director, production, Latin America and US Hispanic for SPT says

The Hypochondriac “follows the story of Macarena (Stephanie Cayo), a beautiful, young, sensitive hypochondriac and the business-like, handsome and successful doctor Alejandro (Calzadilla) who mistakenly diagnoses her with a terminal illness and says she has six months to live. Laced with humour, the series follows the life of our protagonist through the mistaken diagnosis and the subsequent revelation that she is fine. Ultimately, she resolves to fake her own death…and then has to deal with life.”

Caracol TV International senior international director Lisette Osorio, who is sharing the sales responsibilities with SPT, has high hopes for the production’s ability to sell worldwide: “The story of The Hypochondriac is a special one because it isn’t your typical cookie-cutter novela, it’s a mix between comedy and drama. Because we feel that our content can relate to anyone around the world, our target goal is that they reach an audience worldwide. Everyone can appreciate drama, suspense, action, humour and most importantly love. There is a life lesson here that will touch all audiences.”

On the subject of NATPE’s move to Miami, Osorio adds: “It’s a great middle ground for all of our clients in Latin America, making it easier to touch base with one another on productions and exciting plans for the New Year.”

The show: The Hypochondriac

The producer: Caracol

The distributors: Sony Pictures Television, Caracol TV International

The broadcaster: Caracol

Concept: A comedy drama in which a beautiful, young hypochondriac is mistakenly told she has six months to live