5 Spanish-language TV shows adapted in English
With the amount of Spanish and English speakers around the world, the television industry has made sure that TV hits have been re-made to cater to…
We’ve heard of cases like “Breaking Bad” being made into Spanish, but what about the other way around? Here are five great examples! (Photo: Telemundo)
With the amount of Spanish and English speakers around the world, the television industry has made sure that TV hits have been re-made to cater to both.
Being translated from English to Spanish is a normal event when it comes to entertainment but there are also a few successful shows that have taken a different approach.
SEE ALSO: Pop Culture Battle: Did Latinos do it better?
We’ve heard of cases like “Breaking Bad” being made into Spanish, but what about the other way around? Here are five great examples of Spanish-language TV shows that have been adapted in English.
Television: From Spanish to English
Betty La Fea
The Colombian sensation aired in 1999 and was an immediate hit. Over 10 versions of the telenovela have been made in other countries, most importantly, the United States.
“Betty La Fea” was turned into “Ugly Betty” in 2006 with actress America Ferrera playing the leading role.
It was created by Silvio Horta and co-produced by Horta and Salma Hayek. “Betty La Fea” went on to win a Peabody Award and a Golden Globe for its success on national American TV.
Juana la Virgen
Cast of the Venezuelan novela “Juana La Virgen.” (Photo: RCTV International)
The Venezuelan show originally named “Juana La Virgen” aired in 2002 and thanks to its success has made its way to the U.S. and eventually Australia at the end of this year.
Actor Jaime Camil co-stars with Puerto Rican actress Gina Rodriguez in the drama sitcom, Jane the Virgin, on the CW network that is set to air on October 13.
The new adapted version will take place in Miami following the everyday troubles of Jane Villanueva, a Latina from a strict religious background who ends up getting mistakenly pregnant through artificial insemination during a checkup.
Mujeres Asesinas
Although it was canceled not long after airing in English, “Killer Women,” still made its way from Spanish television to ABC.
The crime series only lasted 6 episodes and showed off Sofia Vergara as a producer.
The series, known as “Mujeres Asesinas,” aired in Argentina in 2005 and is based on the trilogy of the books by Marisa Grinstein. It went on to receive the Golden Martin Fierro Award, the highest award given by APTRA, the Association of Journalists of Television and Radio Argentina.
Pocoyo
“Pocoyo” first made its appearance in Spain when it aired in 2005. The cartoon is an animated television series aimed at pre-school aged children created by Luis Gallego, David Cantolla, and Guillermo Garcia Carsi.
The cartoon aired in English on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. along with its English debut in United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada.
La Reina del Sur
The proven success of narconovelas is stretching into English-language TV with Kate del Castillo hoping to reign as the Queen of the South.
USA Network announced they are working on the production of the English adaptation of the popular narconovela “Reina del Sur” that became a major TV hit for Telemundo in 2011based on the Mexican drug cartels and their trade.
Queen of the South is based on the original novel book by Spanish author Arturo Peréz-Reverte. USA Network picked up the pilot in hopes to introduce this story to an American audience.
SEE ALSO: ‘Queen of the South hopes to reign in narco-violence in USA
