Andalucian public broadcaster Canal Sur TV has worked with Seville’s Womack Studios and different entertainment to develop the Gibraltar set’s historic drama thriller series “La Roca” (“The Rock”).
The project, which was organized into a six-episode series, is given the godfather by Buffta Award-winning author and showrunner Ronan Bennett, the creator of hit series such as “Top Boy” and “Mobrand.”
Rocío Sepúlveda and Raúl Mancilla are creators of the series and authors of Raúl Santos.
Helmer Alexis Morante, whose credits are directly attached to the documentary “Camaron: Flamenco y Volcion,” the award-winning feature “The World of Oliver,” and the film axe Solde drama “Can I Talk to the Enemy?”
The Gibraltar Set’s practical-based story
In the 1960s, the story, inspired by real-life facts, is set in the vibrant border zone of Campo de Gibraltar, Spain, where the Gibraltarians travel in the opposite direction and enjoy the Andalusian lifestyle while thousands of Spaniards cross for work to Gibraltar, Britain.
“In response to this vibrant social, cultural and economic integration, the series follows the dramatic changes caused by the closure of the frontier in 1969. This is a political decision that suddenly cut off relationships on both sides until the border reopened in 1982,” the summary said.
After the frontier closure, Manuel Guerrero, captain of the Spanish Civil Guard, landed with his family in the town of La Linea de la Concepcion in Cadiz, with his family, and is on a mission to control smuggling between both territories.
Winner at last year’s South Boost
“The Rock” was first announced at last year’s South International Series Festival in Cádiz by Different Entertainment, producer of the hit web series “Malviviendo.”
On Monday, September 15th, the third edition of the South International Series Festival announced that Canal Sur, along with Womack Studios, will be involved in the development of the project and will be different.
Canal Sur scripted comeback
In the case of Canal Sur, “The Rock” has returned to making television fiction in its first screenplay series since “Desconocidas,” a 2022 co-produced with Valencia’s regional broadcaster Apanto.
“This comeback is what Andalusian television sector wanted from us. We fell in love with the project and we were sure there was no better fit,” said Isabel Cabrera, Associate Director of Canal Sur Radio and TV.
A highly diverse company covering areas such as audiovisual communication, digital marketing, event organizations, Womack Communication Group operates offices in Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, the Dominican Republic and Miami.
Womack serves as Cadiz’s South International Series Festival Organizer.
Beyond the festival role, the company recently acquired Spanish production outfits, Lolita Films, and Canary Islands-based Kino Pravda, and launched Seed of Memory, an animation studio specializing in science and healthcare.
The first cornerstone
“Canal Sur is the first cornerstone of ‘The Rock’,” said Antonio Carreto, executive producer and COO of Womack Studios, part of the Womack Group.
Carret sees “Rock” as a symbol of Womack’s ambition. “We will integrate the fiction sector, reaffirm the South Festival as an industrial market, and more than anything, we will open up a new route to international co-production,” he said.
Closing UK co-productions is a challenge the project itself requires. “It’s a story that requires a cross-border perspective,” added Carrett.
Over the past two years, Womack has participated in around 60 film and television productions, developing new production facilities at the Port of Cadiz, including Atlantic Experience & Auditorium Culture and Leisure Complex.
“The Rock” represents the calling card for Womack Studios on Script TV.
This year’s Southern edition also unveils the first looks of Womack’s Oscar-winning Fernando Truba’s music-driven project “Bajani,” and the docusary “Toma Moreno,” centered around lead guitarist Niño Josel and producer Bentriloquist Jose Luis Moreno.
Both titles highlight Womack’s drive diversifying into fame content with strong international resonance.
The company has also launched an international co-production and international services division led by highly acclaimed producer Nadine Luk (“Silk”, “The Song of Name”).
