The world of serialized television was celebrated in Barcelona, where the Serielizados awards ceremony shone a spotlight on Europe’s most ambitious new screen dramas. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as industry professionals gathered to honour creators who had pushed the boundaries of traditional storytelling. A key moment of the evening was the crowning of Hagai Levi and the Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers, whose gripping series earned the highest accolades.
The major awards were announced at the ceremony on Saturday night, recognising two exceptional six-part series. Israeli creator Hagai Levi secured best international series for her work, Etty, while the Spanish duo Jorge and Alberto Sánchez-Cabezudo were awarded best national series for Killing a Bear. Both series were lauded for their boldness, signalling a departure from conventional genre rules and establishing new benchmarks for modern television drama.
Crafting historical and crime drama
The two winning productions showcased vastly different narrative approaches, yet both demonstrated a masterful commitment to originality. Etty, a multi-lingual adaptation based on the diaries of Dutch Jewish author Etty Hillesum, transports viewers to a Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Levi deliberately gave this historical period piece a modern, nuanced twist, following the passionate 27-year-old Etty on a profound emotional and spiritual odyssey.
Meanwhile, the Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers used Killing a Bear to reinvent the crime genre, taking a novel approach by making a bear the central victim. The narrative cleverly explores the mystery from the perspectives of numerous characters, expanding the suspect pool into a tight-knit community within a chat room. This innovative structure, set against the backdrop of Spain’s idyllic high-Pyrenean Val d’Arán, marked a significant leap for Spanish television drama.
Recognizing the breadth of European talent
The accolades celebrated far more than just the two winning series, highlighting the diverse creative output across the continent. For instance, the European cultural channel Arte France also received recognition for best screenplay for the French comedy Camarades. This recognition was shared with co-creators Benjamin Charbit and Dominique Baumart, showcasing the strength of European comedy writing.
Other notable entries included the BBC’s hit show Ann Droid, which saw its creator, Diane Morgan, win best performance for her portrayal of the second-hand robot Linda. Furthermore, on the national front, the drama Segunda Temporada was recognised for its screenplay, bringing together a ghost-writer and a fading criminal legend. These varied successes confirmed that Europe is currently a powerful source of highly original, quality programming.
The lasting impact of passion for art
The ceremony highlighted the collaborative nature of quality television, with many winning shows receiving backing from major international players. For example, Etty was championed by Arte France and had previously premiered out of competition at the Venice Film Festival. Similarly, Killing a Bear, a Movistar Plus Original, is the latest example of Arte France’s successful partnership with Spain’s largest pay-TV provider.
The significance of the awards was underscored by the jury members, who noted that the event itself was a celebration of passion. One juror observed, “We, the jury members, had a great time and watching the four nominated shows was a lot of fun, as they are each so brilliant and original in their very unique ways.” The overall message was clear: the future of serialised television rests on creative courage and a genuine love for the art form. Like the powerful stories of Etty, the stories of the modern age continue to unfold.
