Dani de La Torre Delves Into Marbella’s Dark Mafia Roots in Riveting New Series
Dark Mafia Roots in Riveting New Series
When director Dani de la Torre, of “La Unidad” and “Gun City” fame, stumbled upon an article revealing Marbella as a hotspot for international criminal organizations, he instantly knew he had found the perfect setting for his next big proyecto. Alongside his producing partners from “La Unidad,” they birthed the Movistar Plus + original series “Marbella,” debuting in Spain on May 2 with considerable media buzz.
During a sneak peek at the Berlinale Series Market, de la Torre shared how Marbella’s dark underbelly was virtually desconocido in Spain before he delved into a detailed investigation of Málaga’s criminal affairs. “With over 132 different gangs making Marbella their home base, I was immediately hooked on this unique dynamic,” he expressed.
“Las noticias about Marbella’s gang activities surface daily,” de la Torre continued, “Yet these organizations are so flush with dinero that it’s a real challenge for the police to take them head-on. Marbella has morphed into a non-stop fiesta hub, where even a bottle of whisky can cost dos mil euros. It’s like the mafia has declared it their royal headquarters.”
De la Torre got a significant lead for the storyline when he encountered an ostentatious lawyer during one of his research visits. This flamboyant abogado became the muse for “Marbella’s” main character, César (played by Hugo Silva), a lawyer caught in the precarious balance between his professional duties and the tempting underworld profits.
Hugo Silva, known for “Paco’s Men,” shared his own intrigue about Marbella, saying, “It’s absolutely surreal standing in a small coastal spot overloaded with such staggering amounts of money. The real-life counterpart to my character was just as fascinating—a man living an intense, threat-filled life, addicted to adrenaline, according to his therapist.”
This constantly high-paced life fuels the action-packed sequences in “Marbella,” featuring luxury cars racing to secure gangsters in their fortified villas. Silva added, “Driving through Marbella, all you see are advertisements for lavish homes and law firms, painting a surreal picture of this place. The series offered a fantastic opportunity to dive into a world of luxury, action, and power.”
Fran Araújo of Movistar Plus+, the series executive producer, explained that while many series explore the underworld of crime, “Marbella” is unique because it’s narrated through a lawyer torn between his ethical duties and the corruption money flow. “We were eager to continue our collaboration with Dani. The show is not only humor-filled but escalates with suspense in every episode,” Araújo remarked.
De la Torre emphasized the valuable insights gained into “Marbella’s” unique world, aiming to create a series that was thoroughly entretenido yet true to its distinctive setting. “Meeting the gangs was a bit daunting—they’re often fishing dead bodies out of the sea. But as the locals opened up, they shared gripping tales. The police, striving to keep a low profile, also confided their frustrations over lacking resources to combat the mafia effectively.”
Marbella, according to de la Torre, is an anomaly. “There are scant killings—it’s simply bad for business, unlike places in Mexico or the U.S. There’s no other spot quite like it in Spain or anywhere else. It made for a truly captivating series narrative to develop.”
“Marbella” thus arrives as more than just a crime show—it’s a deep dive into a world where luxury and danger collide, promising viewers a thrilling ride along the sun-drenched, yet shadowy, coasts of Spain.
