William Levy is ready to thrill…
The 41-year-old Cuban actor and former telenovela star will be leading the cast of the newly announced dramatic thriller Montecristo, from Pantaya and Secuoya Studios.
Levy’s new series is set in Havana, Madrid, and Miami.
Based on Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, the series tells the story of Alejandro Montecristo (Levy), an enigmatic figure who bursts into the public eye and raises concerns amongst the world’s elite because of the mysterious origins of his fortune.
He’s the founder and CEO of a new technology company that has incited the envy and interest of many, among those is Fernando Alvarez Mondego – a businessman connected to the Spanish aristocracy who wants to acquire the Montecristo startup. What Fernando doesn’t know is that Montecristo is someone he knew decades ago and the reason for his emergence is fueled purely by revenge.
“I’ve been drawn to the story of The Count of Montecristo since my youth,” Levy tells Deadline in an exclusive statement. “He’s a mysterious figure driven in his pursuit of justice and vengeance, which are powerful themes that resonate universally. I am so thrilled to be partnering with Secuoya Studios and Pantaya to bring this story to life in a way that has never been seen before.”
“Montecristo is our newest modernized premium classic series,” adds Mario Almeida, Head of Content for Pantaya. “This story of vengeance and passion has unforgettable characters at its core, and the new take on this timeless story is brilliantly conceived. We feel there is no better partnership to serve revenge coldly.”
Levy began his career in the Spanish-language market where he quickly rose to become to one of the most sought out talents where he remains today. He expanded his reach with U.S. audiences in the 2000s with roles in Tyler Perry’s The Single Moms Club, Girls Trip opposite Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter; and most notably on the small screen as a regular in Lee Daniels’ Star.
“We are extremely proud in our multiple project slate with Pantaya and William, they both are an integral part of our expansion plan in the Americas and the world,” said David Martinez, head of fiction, and Sergio Pizzolante, head of the U.S. and Latin America from Secuoya Studios, respectively.
The television adaptation is written by Lidia Fraga and Jacobo Díaz and will be directed by Alberto Ruiz-Rojo. The series is produced by David Martinez and executive produced by Secuoya Studios and Sergio Pizzolante. Levy and his producing partner Jeff Goldberg will also serve as executive producers.
The series will premiere on Pantaya in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
In her English language debut, Contreras starred as Crystal Jennings in Season 2 of the CW series Dynasty, a reboot of the 1980s series of the same name.