ITV Studios Buys Majority Stake in Spanish ‘Valeria’ Producer Plano a Plano

ITV Studios Buys Majority Stake in Spanish ‘Valeria’ Producer Plano a Plano

ITV Studios has acquired a majority stake in Spanish scripted production company Plano a Plano. Founded in 2011 and run by owner and producer César Benítez, the company is known for the hit series Valeria, which is based on the novels by Elísabet Benavent and which has ranked in Netflix’s top five most-viewed international dramas globally.

The production outfit is also behind the likes of El Principe for Mediaset, which has sold to more than 60 international markets, and the daily telenovela Servir Y Proteger for TVE. And Plano a Plano’s new heist series Suspicious Minds recently premiered on Disney+. 

The company said it is currently in production on two titles for Netflix, the upcoming adaptation All the Truth Behind My Lies (Toda la Verdad de Mis Mentiras), a new miniseries based on the novel by Elísabet Benavent, as well as the psychological thriller Innato in association with Dynamic Television.

Plus, it is filming Ella, maldita alma for Mediaset and its first feature film, the historical drama La Tregua, with participation from RTVE and Netflix. 

Financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Founder Benítez, CEO Emilio Amaré and executive producer Álvaro Benítez will continue to lead the label headquartered in Madrid and Bilbao, reporting to ITV Studios managing director, international production, Lisa Perrin in London.

Said Perrin: “After admiring César, Emilio and Álvaro’s work for many years, I am so delighted that they have accepted our offer to join ITV Studios. They bring such incredible skill, creativity and relationships. The Spanish-language scripted market, built on a heritage of cinematic skill, continues to grow from strength to strength. It’s burgeoning with opportunity, including high demand from viewers and clients in Spain and globally.”

Benítez, Amaré and Benítez said: “This partnership reflects a shared vision for growth and creative excellence. It offers resources and experience for the many opportunities ahead to tell more stories on a broader canvas. We are excited for what the future holds with ITV Studios.”

César Benítez began his career in film production and founded his first company in 1988, Cristal Producciones Cinematógraficas, which later became Spanish TV and cinema producer BocaBoca Producciones. During this time, César produced the likes of police series El Comisario, the youth soap opera Al Salir De Clase, and such films as Planta 4ª, Nos Miran, Cha Cha Cha, El Amor Perjudica Seriamente La Salud, Todos Los Hombres Sois Iguales and Boca a Boca.

Amaré began his career in the financial department of Globomedia and became the financial director of MOS, part of Priss group, in 2003. He joined Plano a Plano in 2013 and became general manager and partner in 2016. 

Álvaro Benítez joined Plano a Plano as partner in 2018, initially managing the Business Development and International Relations department. After that, he became executive producer of such projects as Cicatriz, La Tregua, and Innato.

“Plano a Plano will sit alongside ITV Studios Iberia in Spain, the unscripted entertainment venture launched by ITV Studios in 2023 and scripted label Cattleya Producciones, both led by managing director Nathalie Garcia,” ITV Studios said. “The acquisition is a further milestone in ITV’s strategy of expanding its international content business, with Plano a Plano becoming the latest in a line of production companies to join the group in recent years alongside Moonage Pictures, Eagle Eye Drama, Hartswood Films, Nicola Shindler’s Quay Street Productions, Dominic Treadwell-Collins’ Happy Prince, Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen Studios and premium natural history and factual entertainment producer, Plimsoll Productions.”