Argentine series "Pretenders" headed for U.S. remake

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Riding the popularity wave of scripted foreign TV formats in the U.S., Argentine network Telefe is aiming to make its foray into American television.

Telefe is shopping remake rights to several of its series to U.S. networks. One of them, "The Pretenders," has attracted the attention of producer/director Barry Sonnenfeld ("Men in Black," "Pushing Daisies"), who will shepherd the development of an American version.

"Pretenders," about a team of con artists solving ordinary people's problems, was one of Argentina's most popular weekly series during its two 13-episode seasons in 2002 and 2003. Telefe already has set up local versions of the drama in seven countries.

Unlike other Latin American markets that are dominated by telenovelas, Argentine TV features a mix of the ubiquitous nightly soaps and more traditional weekly drama series, like "Pretenders."

"Telenovelas don't work anymore, and we're forced to produce new type of dramas," said Gonzalo Cilley, head of formats and international productions at Telefe.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter