Showrunner Andreas Heckman (The Wild Barman) and director Paul Wilmsharst (Jackal Day, Da Vinci’s Devil, The Last Kingdom) boarded the six-part voyage epic “Corsin,” produced by French Lazuli films.
Set in 1492, the series follows Sarah, the rebellious daughter of Granada’s Chihlabi, and was exiled during the expulsion of Spanish Jews and captured in the Ottoman Corsair Islands (Turkey’s “Corsant”). From Andalusia to Istanbul, her journey becomes a bold rescue mission across land and seas, exploring exile, faith and identity. Under Imperial orders, her prisoner becomes an unlikely ally, leading Jewish refugees through ambush, changing alliances and dangerous waters, Sarah stands up to leadership, loyalty and love at high cost.
Contrasting with the interrogation era Spain and the multicultural ottoman empire, Corussant blends a central love triangle between historical drama, complex characters and a bold Jewish rebel Sarah. Piri, a selfish pirate with hidden honor, and his adopted child and rival Jean. Together, they must convey adventures and emotions that survive not only persecution but also betrayal from within and target international audiences.
“Rooted in history, emotionally recharged, and full of visual and psychological tensions, “Corsin” is exactly the story I want to tell,” says Wilmsharst. “It unfolds in a historic setting, but every silence, at first glance, brings modern urgency. At its core, the series is about identity, courage and resilience, but it is also a sweeping tale of adventure and romance.”
“With my family in Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands and the US, my life spans two religions and four continents, cultures and languages,” adds Heckman.
“These differences enrich us rather than splitting us. Today, many people retreat to their own groups and assert freedom and justice only for themselves.
The 6-episode series budgets range from $24 million to $25 million with pre-sale contracts with leading international distributors in the final stages. Filming will be set in Spain at the end of summer 2026. Kamalivara, founder of Lazuli Films, will represent the series at MIPCOM in October.
“Columbus paved the way for the Americas, but radicalism and religious tensions had already shaken Europe and ultimately led to a religious war,” Varer said. “Today, Spain rethinks the past and acknowledges the centuries-long influence of Jewish and Muslim communities. Corusan tells the story in a thrilling and refined way, promoting understanding of the ‘other’ and promoting tolerance and cooperation.
