Angela Colla
Globo announced a new partnership with international entertainment studio MFF & CO to adapt a curated slate of hit Brazilian daytime and primetime telenovelas for North American audiences. MFF & CO, uniquely positioned with teams in both Brazil and the U.S., will work alongside experienced U.S. writers, reimagining each series in the traditional American format with multiple seasons. The selection of telenovelas is based on their potential to resonate with the North American market. By combining Globo’s richly layered, audience-tested storylines with MFF & CO’s intimate understanding of the U.S. market’s cultural specificities, the two companies are poised to deliver breakthrough adaptations, reaching a new generation of viewers.
Estela Renner, Showrunner, Director, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of MFF & CO, stated: “Brazil is one of the world’s most culturally dynamic countries, home to more than 220 million people with roots from every corner of the globe. When a story connects with multicultural audiences here—often drawing tens of millions of viewers per title—it signals the power to transcend borders. Globo has elevated the telenovela into a storytelling art form with universal appeal. By reimagining these narratives for U.S. platforms, we’re not only tapping into an extraordinary creative legacy and a proven ratings track record, but also inviting new audiences to experience the imagination, emotion and diversity that define these stories.”
Miura Kite, President of Global Content of MFF & CO, added: “Brazilian telenovelas have mastered the art of emotional connection with broad audiences. We are excited to create premium U.S. versions of these telenovelas while preserving all of the glorious twists, addictive characters, epic cliffhangers, and jaw-dropping storylines filled with secrets, lies, love, betrayal, family drama, and more.”
Angela Colla, Head of International Business and Coproductions of Globo, shared: “This agreement highlights the universal appeal of our storytelling and the strength of our telenovelas. Bringing stories that captivated Brazilian audiences to new markets is not only rewarding but also a testament to Globo’s creative power on the global stage. We believe in stories that connect people, spark conversations and transcend cultural boundaries. It’s exciting to see our content take on new lives around the world, adapted through local lenses but always rooted in the quality that defines Globo productions.”
The development of each telenovela’s adaptation will be led by Miura Kite, President of Global Content at MFF & CO. Kite brings decades of experience in award-winning storytelling. Before joining MFF & CO, she served as Executive Vice President of Global Television at Participant, where she was executive producer of Hulu’s "Interior Chinatown," Netflix’s "Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey" and BBC’s "Noughts + Crosses." She was also involved in the development of Ava DuVernay’s limited Netflix series "When They See Us." Prior to her time at Participant, Kite was Head of Development at Playtone for ten years, where she contributed to the development of series including "Big Love," "The Pacific" and "John Adams," as well as features such as the television docudrama "Game Change," the musical romantic comedy "Mamma Mia!," the drama Charlie Wilson’s "War" and Spike Jonze’s "Where the Wild Things Are." Kite is currently spearheading multiple high-profile projects at MFF & CO, collaborating with the groundbreaking U.S. director Joe Berlinger, along with award-winning writers and directors behind acclaimed series such as "Euphoria."
The initial slate includes standout titles including "Empire," winner of the 2015 International Emmy Award for Best Telenovela; "Belíssima," a classic telenovela with captivating characters by Silvio de Abreu; "The Other Side of Paradise," which was licensed to 85 countries; and "All the Flowers," a classic melodrama with a thriller-like pace, by João Emanuel Carneiro, author of the hit Brazil Avenue, one of Globo's best-selling titles.
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