MFF & Co, Globo Ally for North American Remakes of Hit Telenovelas

In a projected landmark venture, L.A.-based international entertainment studio MFF & Co is partnering with Brazilian TV colossus Globo, the company behind Oscar winner “I’m Not Here,” to adapt for North American audiences a curated slate of hit Brazilian telenovelas.

The development deal will see MFF & Co shopping and working with U.S. distributors – foreseeably studios and streaming services –  to develop in a first adaptations of some of Globo’s biggest hits, reimagined in traditional American multiple season formats. The English-language adaptations will be written by experienced U.S. writers, MFF & Co announced Tuesday.

The four titles on an initial slate range broadly from “Empire” (2014-15), winner of a 2015 Intl. Emmy for best telenovela and the story of a heartbroken, power-obsessed millionaire battling to retain control of his jewellery empire, to woman’s empowerment tale “Belíssima,” (2005-06), a huge hit on Globo, punching a 48% audience share and “a classic telenovela with captivating characters,” MFF & CO noted. 

Another slate title, “The Other Side of Paradise,” (“O Outro Lado do Paraíso” (2017-18) turns on revenge, as a young woman, sectioned to a psychiatric ward by her mother-in-law, returns years later for payback. 

A fourth, and the most recent, “All the Flowers,” (“Todas as Flores,” 2022), is “a classic melodrama with a thriller-like pace,” MFF & Co noted. That combination, it could be said, lies behind Netflix’s biggest ever hit from Latin America, “Who Killed Sara?”

All four titles were created by telenovela doyens: Aguinaldo Silva (“Empire”), Silvio de Abril (“Bellísima”), Walcyr Carrasco (“The Other Side of Paradise”) and João Emanuel Carneiro (“All the Flowers”), creator of Globo’s biggest telenovela in modern times, “Brazil Avenue,” a ratings and export phenom.

“Empire” channels forbidden love, jealousy, revenge, and big revelations in a classic telenovela cocktail. Most titles feature strong women, both in protagonist or antagonists, such as in “Bellísima.” Here, Oscar nominated Brazilian Grand Dame Fernanda Montenegro, (“Central Station”) who played  the elderly Eunice Paiva in “I’m Still Here,” took on the role of one of the most acclaimed villains in Brazilian TV history, a cold-hearted, iron willed matriarch.

Jelling with current times, shows often take the point of view of younger disenfranchised women battling a greedy, hide-bound elite. 

The development of each telenovela’s adaptation will be led by Miura Kite, president of global content at MFF & Co and formerly EVP of global television at Participant, whose executive producer credits there include the Hulu’s Taiki Waititi-directed show “Interior Chinatown,” two seasons of “Noughts + Crosses” for BBC and the docuseries “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” for Netflix. 

Projects currently set up at MFF & Co include “Pegasus,” created by Amit Cohen (“False Flag”) and Ron Leshem (“Euphoria”), “Fail-Safe,” directed by Joe Berlinger (“Paradise Lost”), and “Esperanza,” from Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”).

What Drives the Deal

“Brazil is one of the world’s most culturally dynamic countries, home to more than 220 million people with roots from every corner of the globe. When a story connects with multicultural audiences here – often drawing tens of millions of viewers per title – it signals the power to transcend borders,” said Estela Renner, showrunner, director, co-founder and chief creative officer of MFF & Co. 

She added: “Globo has elevated the telenovela into a storytelling art form with universal appeal. By reimagining these narratives for U.S. platforms, we’re not only tapping into an extraordinary creative legacy and a proven ratings track record but also inviting new audiences to experience the imagination, emotion and diversity that define these stories.”

For Kite, “Brazilian telenovelas have mastered the art of emotional connection with broad audiences. We are excited to create premium U.S. versions of these telenovelas while preserving all of the glorious twists, addictive characters, epic cliffhangers and jaw-dropping storylines filled with secrets, lies, love, betrayal, family drama and more.” 

Under Angela Colla, Globo head of international business and co-productions, the Brazilian TV giant has sought to not only sell originals but reach format deals around the world, kicked off by a milestone first international remake pact with Turkey’s Ay Yapim on “Brazil Avenue,” announced at Mipcom 2023.

“This agreement highlights the universal appeal of our storytelling and the strength of our telenovelas,” Colla said of the MFF & Co deal. 

“Bringing stories that captivated Brazilian audiences to new markets is not only rewarding but also a testament to Globo’s creative power on the global stage. We believe in stories that connect people, spark conversations and transcend cultural boundaries. It’s exciting to see our content take on new lives around the world, adapted through local lenses but always rooted in the quality that defines Globo productions,” Colla added.

Prior to Participant Media, Kite worked for over 10 years as head of development at Tom Hanks’ company Playtone, co-producing HBO’s Emmy-winning The Pacific” and “Game Change” and contributed to five seasons of “Big Love” and “John Adams.” Kite helped develop Playtone features “Mamma Mia,” “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “Where the Wild Things Are.”

In a further expansive move, MFF & Co has taken a minority stake in Joanna Natasegara’s London-based production company Violet Films, behind high-profile docs such as Academy Award winner “White Helmets” and the Oscar-nominated “Virunga” and “The Edge of Democracy.”