Canal Sur, Womack Studios, Diffferent Develop Gibraltar-Set Thriller ‘The Rock’

Andalusian public broadcaster Canal Sur TV has teamed with Seville’s Womack Studios and Diffferent Entertainment to develop Gibraltar-set historical drama-thriller series “La Roca” (“The Rock”).

Structured as a six-episode series, the project is godfathered by BAFTA-winning writer and showrunner Ronan Bennett, creator of hit series such as “Top Boy” and “MobLand.”

Rocío Sepúlveda and Raúl Mancilla are the series creators, with Raúl Santos as writer.

Helmer Alexis Morante, whose credits include documentary “Camarón: Flamenco y Revolución”, award-winning feature “The Universe of Oliver” and Filmax-sold dramedy “May I Speak with the Enemy?” is attached to direct.

Gibraltar-Set Real-Facts Based Story

The real-facts inspired story is set in the lively border zone of Spain’s Campo de Gibraltar in the 1960s, portraying a community where thousands of Spaniards crossed daily into the U.K.’s Gibraltar for work, while Gibraltarians moved in the opposite direction to enjoy an Andalusian lifestyle.

“Against this vibrant social, cultural and economic integration, the series follows the dramatic shift triggered by the 1969 closure of the frontier —a political decision that abruptly severed ties between both sides until the border’s reopening in 1982,” a synopsis said.

After the closure of the frontier, Manuel Guerrero, a Spanish Civil Guard captain, lands with his family at the town of La Línea de la Concepción, in Cádiz, with the mission of controlling the smuggling among both territories.

Winner at Last Year’s South Boost

“The Rock” was first unveiled by Diffferent Entertainment, producer of hit web series “Malviviendo,” at last year’s South International Series Festival in Cádiz, snagging the South Boost Award for Best Series Project.

On Monday Sept. 15, the South International Series Festival’s 3rd edition, hosted the announcement of Canal Sur’s involvement in the project’s development alongside Womack Studios and Diffferent.

Canal Sur’s Scripted Comeback

For Canal Sur, “The Rock” represents its return to TV fiction production in its first scripted series since “Desconocidas,” a 2022 co-production with Valencia’ s regional broadcaster À Punt.

“This comeback is something the Andalusian TV sector had been asking for from us. We fell in love with the project, convinced there was no better fit,” said Isabel Cabrera, Canal Sur Radio and TV deputy director.

A highly diversified company, covering areas such as audiovisual communication, digital marketing and events organization, Womack Communication Group operates offices in Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Dominican Republic and Miami.

Womack serves as Cádiz’s South International Series Festival organizer.

Beyond its festival role, the company has recently acquired Spanish production outfits Happy Contents, Lolita Films and Canary Islands-based Kino Pravda, and launched Seed of Memory, an animation studio specializing in science and healthcare.

The First Cornerstone

“Canal Sur is the first cornerstone of ‘The Rock’,” said Antonio Carreto, executive producer and COO of Womack Studios, part of Womack Group.

Carreto sees “The Rock” as emblematic of Womack’s ambition: “It consolidates our fiction division, reaffirms South Festival as an industrial marketplace, and, above all, opens a new route toward international co-production,” he said.

Closing the U.K. co-production is a challenge that the project itself demands. “It’s a story that requires a cross-border perspective,” Carreto added.

Over the past two years, Womack has participated in some 60 film and TV productions and is developing new production facilities such as the Atlantic Experience & Auditorium cultural and leisure complex in Cádiz’s Port.

“The Rock” represents Womack Studios’ calling card in scripted TV.

At this year’s South edition, Womack is also unveiling first looks of Oscar-winning Fernando Trueba’s music-driven project “Bajañí,” starring guitarist Niño Josele, and the docuseries “Toma Moreno,” centered on producer-ventriloquist José Luis Moreno.

Both titles underscore Womack’s drive to diversify into prestige content with strong international resonance.

The company has also launched an international co-production and international service division, headed by highly-regarded producer Nadine Luque (“Silk,” “The Song of Names”).