Scripted

Diagonal TV, part of Banijay Iberia, confirms it will work with journalist and novelist, Sergio Vila-Sanjuán, to dramatise a new series based on the Spanish monarchy. Royal Palace. Brilliance and Tragedy of the Spanish Monarchy follows the trajectory of four generations of the Bourbon family, between 1900 and 2014.

Diagonal TV, producer of award-winning historical series, Isabel, La Catedral del Mar (Cathedral of the Sea), and the forthcoming Los Herederos de la Tierra (Heirs To The Land), will create 22 episodes centering on the Spanish monarchy. Sergio Vila-Sanjuán’s research will dramatise biographical and historical circumstances, from the year 1900, and depict the reigns of Alfonso XIII, Don Juan de Borbón and Juan Carlos I, until the abdication in favour of his son Felipe VI.
From life in the palace, luxury, parties, heroism and love, to power struggles, terrorism, disease and coups d'états, the Royal Palace series will portray a momentous and nuanced approach to the Spanish monarchy.
Sergio Vila-Sanjuán, novelist and journalist says: "There’s an enormous responsibility when developing a story around true events, especially as we follow a Monarchy with exceptional destinies and outstanding virtues, but like any humans, they made mistakes. These errors had massive consequences for their country and this fascinating story will leave viewers gripped.”
Jaume Banacolocha, CEO of Diagonal TV comments: “Diagonal has vast experience in creating series telling the vicissitudes of the Spanish monarchy, and this project will further build our expertise. Collaborating with Sergio Vila-Sanjuán will allow us to confidently produce an accurate and moving series, and we are expecting huge interest from broadcasters to pick up the show."
Diagonal TV, a Banijay Iberia company, is behind numerous scripted hits including Isabel (TVE), La Catedral del Mar (Cathedral of the Sea - Atresmedia, Netflix, TVC), El Nudo (Entangled - Atresmedia), Los Herederos de la Tierra (Heirs to the Land - Netflix, Atresmedia, TVC) and film, The Bookshop (La Librería), directed by Isabel Coixet, which won best film, best direction and best adapted screenplay at the Goya 2018 awards.
Sergio Vila San-Juán is a cultural journalist and long-time writer. He currently is the director of the supplement Cultura/s of La Vanguardia. As a specialist in literary and editorial subjects, he has been awarded the National Prize for Cultural Journalism and as a novelist, he scooped the Nadal Prize. In 2020, he published the essay Why I am a Monarchist, a courageous defense of the institution that analyses four generations of Spanish monarchs, from Alfonso XIII to Felipe VI.