Political Thriller ‘The Interregnum’ Wins SeriesMakers
Spain’s “The Interregnum” emerged victorious in the SeriesMakers competition, clinching the prestigious Beta & Kirch Foundation Award along with a cash prize of €50,000 ($51,000). The creative initiative, spearheaded by Laurence Herszberg, general director of Series Mania, and Ferdinand Dohna, head of content & co-production at Beta, was inaugurated in 2022.
The winning team behind “The Interregnum” will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with Beta’s Content and Co-Production Division to develop a pilot script and a comprehensive package. This co-development partnership could potentially pave the way for Beta Film to handle international distribution if the series moves into production.
The brainchild of Simón Casal and produced by Mariela Besuievsky at Tornasol Media, known for the award-winning film “The Secret in Their Eyes”, “The Interregnum” is a six-episode series set in 2031. The storyline revolves around a pivotal referendum within the European Union to approve an AI system that would supplant human judges.
The narrative unfolds as campaign managers Inma and Lyda, representing the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ factions, engage in a fierce battle for victory. Amidst the political turmoil, a dark secret linked to the demise of the AI system’s creator, Alicia, surfaces, threatening to upend not just the campaign but the core beliefs of the protagonists.
Casal, who previously directed the film “Justicia Artificial” on AI-related themes, expressed his satisfaction with the transition to a serialized format. Besuievsky echoed this sentiment, highlighting the scope for a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter in the series.
The success of “The Interregnum” at SeriesMakers was lauded by Ferdinand Dohna for its adept handling of complex contemporary issues such as AI and justice in a gripping political thriller. The series challenges viewers to contemplate their stance on these multifaceted issues against the backdrop of a fictional EU referendum.
In addition to “The Interregnum,” a diverse array of projects including “A Person of Interest,” “Le Bouton d’Or,” and “The Wonderful Golem” were also recognized at SeriesMakers. Laurence Herszberg commended the program for nurturing emerging TV creators and expressed satisfaction with the caliber of projects showcased.
As SeriesMakers continues to foster creative talent in the television industry, “The Interregnum” stands out as a shining example of innovative storytelling that resonates with global audiences. With its thought-provoking themes and compelling narrative, the series promises to captivate viewers and spark conversations on the intersection of technology and governance in the digital age.
[Author: John Hopewell]
