Los Angeles: Prime Video has announced that its sweeping family saga ‘The House of the Spirits’ will premiere globally on April 29.
The eight-episode limited series, adapted from Isabel Allende’s landmark debut novel, will launch in more than 240 countries and territories, marking what the platform describes as its most ambitious Latin American original to date, reports Variety.
Speaking at the 76th Berlin Film Festival, where three episodes were unveiled, Javiera Balmaceda, head of local originals for Latin America, Canada and Australia, called the project a milestone for the streamer. She said the series reflects Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios’ commitment to championing culturally authentic stories with global resonance.
According to Variety, Allende’s novel, first published over four decades ago, tells a multigenerational epic centered on extraordinary women navigating political upheaval and personal transformation. The adaptation brings together creative talent from across Latin America and Spain, including showrunners Francisca Alegría and Fernanda Urrejola, alongside a pan-regional cast led by Nicole Wallace, Dolores Fonzi, and Alfonso Herrera.
Spanning five decades, the story follows three generations of women, Clara, Blanca and Alba, as they navigate life in a conservative South American nation shaped by class divisions, political turmoil and elements of magical realism.
For Alegría and Urrejola, who co-wrote the pilot before pitching the project to FilmNation Entertainment and later Amazon MGM Studios, filming in Chile was non-negotiable. Though not the most obvious production choice initially, they insisted on grounding the adaptation in the country that inspired the novel.
Director Andrés Wood, known for Machuca and the series News of a Kidnapping, joined the project later, directing four episodes while also serving as co-showrunner and executive producer. He described the experience as deeply collaborative, noting that he stepped in to help reshape the narrative structure after changes to the episode count, reinforcing the original vision crafted by Alegría and Urrejola.
Urrejola, who also portrays Blanca in the series, called the experience transformative. As first-time television writers, she and Alegría approached each phase of the production as a learning journey, delving into the novel’s universal themes of love, memory, resilience and political conflict, as per Variety.
Though the story unfolds in an unnamed South American country — as in Allende’s novel, the production sought to reflect Chile’s distinctive cultural and geographic identity. The series showcases diverse landscapes, from the capital city at the heart of the narrative to the northern desert and the southern countryside.
Casting proved to be one of the most complex challenges, as the team needed actors capable of portraying characters across different stages of life while maintaining emotional and physical continuity across generations.
Cinematography is led by Manuel Alberto Claro, known for his collaborations with Lars von Trier, including Melancholia. Production design is handled by Rodrigo Bazaes, whose credits include A Fantastic Woman, Spencer and The Count.
Allende, who serves as an executive producer, described the adaptation as a homecoming for her most beloved work, returning it to its Chilean roots while preserving its universal emotional power.
The series is produced by FilmNation Entertainment, the Oscar-winning company behind Anora and Conclave. Production services were provided by Fabula, founded by Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín. Executive producers also include Eva Longoria through her Hyphenate Media Group banner, and Courtney Saladino, according to Variety.
With its sweeping narrative scope, cultural authenticity and international creative collaboration, The House of the Spirits is poised to become a landmark addition to Prime Video’s global slate
