Karla Sofía Gascón, who received an Oscar nomination for “Emilia Perez,” and Itziar Ituño, known for “Money Heist,” have been cast in the Spanish television series “When Devils Rule” (“Los demones mandan”), currently in development at Atlantika Films. The six-part show will be pitched at Tallinn’s TV Beats Co-Financing Market, running November 16-17.
The series is described as a contemporary thriller incorporating supernatural, fantasy, folklore and satirical elements. The story follows four women from working-class backgrounds employed in sectors that sustain society—care, education, healthcare and journalism—as they work to identify and confront demonic forces operating within positions of political and corporate power. Gascón will portray Manuela, a teacher at an elite school, while Ituño will play Evita, a personal secretary to a prime minister in the show’s fictional nation. The women are connected through a community center and assist neighbors and migrants in areas where institutional support falls short.
Creator and producer Nano Arrieta, a long-time collaborator with Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba, developed the concept with co-producer Claudia Ruíz. Arrieta indicated the series draws inspiration from Argentine author Manuel Mujica Lainez’s novel “The Journey of the Seven Demons” but applies contemporary themes rather than a direct literary adaptation. He stated the project reflects current global crises including genocide, fascism, and political extremism, positioning these phenomena as evidence that “demons are already here.”
Arrieta expressed enthusiasm about the casting decisions, noting both actresses bring intelligence, generosity and strong public voices aligned with the series’ thematic concerns. He stated approximately 60% of Spanish production costs would be covered through the Basque region’s tax incentive program. The production is actively seeking additional funding, platforms, broadcasters and creative partners to support development. At Tallinn’s TV Beats market, the series will compete for the €50,000 Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award. Atlantika Films is also behind the eco-thriller “Patagonia,” scheduled to premiere in January 2027.
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