ITV Studios Sets Up Shop in Spain With Netflix Executive; Global Production Boss Lisa Perrin Outlines Strategy

ITV Studios is growing its sizeable global footprint with a new Spanish scripted production company that extends one of the super-indie’s most recognizable banners.

Leading Italian producer Cattleya, the makers of “Gomorrah,” “Suburra” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will expand into Spain with Cattleya Producciones. Led by former Netflix executive Arturo Díaz — in a rare instance of streaming talent rejoining the production ranks — the company will specialize in high-end drama for Spain and the global market.

Díaz, who will serve as managing director, was recently director of original content at Netflix, overseeing series in Spain and Latin America, and based out of Los Angeles for five years. His executive producer credits include the smash hit “Las Chicas de Cable,” the streamer’s longest-running non-U.S. series. He also oversaw the development of “Elite” and the recent “Rebelde” reboot.

Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-CEO Riccardo Tozzi alongside co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz, as well as Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production for ITV Studios, which will distribute its shows globally.

Former Endemol Shine executive Perrin, who joined ITV Studios last spring, oversees the producer-distributor’s 14-label production network outside the U.S. and U.K., for which Spain has been something of a void — until now. The distribution arm had previously struck a first-look deal through Boomerang for non-scripted, but a drama offering has been conspicuously absent.

“For me, having Spanish-language was a key part of my strategy,” says Perrin. “It’s not just [about accessing] Spain — it’s Latin America and U.S. Hispanic. There are over 500 million Spanish speakers around the world.”