ABC buys Salma Hayek's telenovela adaptation

[SFK]

ABC buys Salma Hayek's telenovela adaptation

Argentinian format has been produced in three countries

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

"Ugly Betty" exec producer Salma Hayek is once again mining the world of telenovelas for ABC.

Hayek and her producing partner Jose Tamez have sold an adaptation of the Argentinian telenovela "Los Roldan" to the network through their Ventanarosa shingle.

For this U.S. adaptation, they're turning to former "Ugly Betty" scribes Veronica Becker and Sarah Kucserka, who are on board as writers and exec producers. Hayek and Tamez will exec produce; ABC Studios is behind the project.

"Ugly Betty," of course, was a U.S. reworking of the global telenovela phenomenon "Betty La Fea."

In the case of "Los Roldan," the telenovela was produced from 2004 to 2005 by Argentina broadcaster Telefe.

Like "Ugly Betty," "Roldan" is a drama with comedic undertones.

The show follows a working-class man who saves the life of a woman. She then hires him to run her company -- much to the chagrin of her family.Local versions of "Los Roldan" have already been produced in Colombia, Mexico and Cyprus.

Becker and Kucserka's credits include "Mercy" and "Brothers and Sisters."

Hayek and Tamez developed a U.S. version of the Argentina telenovela "Culpables" in 2008, but that project didn't move forward.

In other development news, ABC confirmed that it is developing the cop drama "One Police Plaza" from "Criminal Minds"/ "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon.

"One Police Plaza" centers on a female New York police commissioner. Linda Fairstein and Kenneth Solarz ("CSI: NY") are writing and exec producing. Gordon will also exec produce with his production partner Deb Spera.

And actress Christine Adams has joined Fox's "Terra Nova," rounding out the mega series' cast. Adams will play Mira, "a battle-hardened resident of Terra Nova who encounters the Shannon family when they arrive in prehistoric times."

Adams' credits include "The Whole Truth" as well as "Nip/Tuck," "Lie to Me" and "Pushing Daisies."

"Terra Nova" stars Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Stephen Lang, Mido Hamada, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott and Alana Mansour. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118026743.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

ALSO:

http://latina.com/entertainment/tv/salma-hayek-adapts-argentine-telenovela-abc