2013: The Year American TV Went Spanish

One of the best drama shows in television history is getting a Spanish twist – “Breaking Bad” is going Español with “Metastasis,” and there’s nothing “Heisenberg” can do about it. Univision Networks will be the company that brings it to you, courtesy of a deal they struck with Sony Pictures Television this week.

“Metastasis” is the name of the show and will carry the same brilliant storyline as its English brethren: the story of a struggling high school chemistry teacher, Walter Blanco, portrayed by the talented Diego Trujillo, who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling meth with a former student, José Miguel Rosas, to secure his family’s financial future before he passes away.

This adaptation is not a complete copy of the original. It creatively adapts some of the best things about “Breaking Bad” to fit the cultural context of its new audience. The dramatic moments that captivated audiences in the United States are being reimagined to resonate just as powerfully with Spanish-speaking viewers. Fans of the original series are creating buzz for these new episodes, curious to see how the iconic story of “Heisenberg” translates across cultural lines.

For years I have been criticizing Univision’s programming for lacking excellence or intellectual substance. But with this move, it seems there is now hope for a new era in Spanish-language television. Telemundo is also adapting ‘The Voice’ to ‘La Voz Kids,’ which could encourage Latinos who are Spanish-dominant to watch channels they previously avoided.

Metastasis, Univision

Univision will also adapt “Gossip Girl” to Spanish beginning next season. With fingers and toes crossed, it looks like “hacienda” programming for Spanish-language viewers could be nearing its end. This strategic shift by Univision and Telemundo reflects the changing demographics of our country. The growth of Spanish language immigrants has been flat for some time, and bilingual, bicultural Hispanics are quickly becoming the defacto Latinos. Currently, the youngest demographic in the country is US Latinos, who speak English first, then Spanish. They crave programming with American sensibilities like “Gossip Girl,” “Breaking Bad,” “La Voz Kids,” “Maid in Manhattan,” or a Ryan Seacrest production. That’s what we want, that’s what we always wanted. Create QUALITY programming and we will come.

The Colombian remake of the U.S. TV show “Breaking Bad” could be a glimpse of the future to come for Spanish-language television. “Metastasis” is a bridge between cultures, offering a unique perspective on a story beloved by millions. It represents a growing trend in television where classic American shows are being reimagined for a global audience, retaining the core elements that made them successful while adding local flavors that make them relatable and fresh.

I have always said that Univision and Telemundo are US Hispanic media companies, not South American media companies. Therefore, they must create programming for our parents who only speak Spanish, and for their bicultural children as well. This trend is not just about providing entertainment; it’s about creating a sense of identity and belonging for a demographic that has long been underrepresented in mainstream media.

Looking into the future, we can expect to see more adaptations like “Metastasis,” where classic stories are told through a new lens. This isn’t just a win for Spanish-speaking audiences; it’s a win for a new generation of Latinos demanding global storytelling. This trend is only growing stronger, and it’s exciting to think about what other adaptations we might see in the years to come. This is the beginning of an era where quality programming knows no language barriers, and the best stories from one culture can become the beloved classics of another.