Sony Pictures Television Unveils First Adaptation of Hit Series Breaking Bad

CULVER CITY, Calif. and MIAMI, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Teleset have announced that they will produce an original series adaptation of the smash hit U.S. drama "Breaking Bad" for Latin American audiences. "Metastasis" is the first adaptation of the award-winning series by SPT, a pioneer and industry leader in scripted formats. The show has been cleared in most major Spanish-speaking markets including Univision's UniMas in the U.S.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080424/LATH509LOGO)

Based on the critically-acclaimed hit drama now entering the explosive second half of its fifth and final season in the U.S., "Metastasis" follows the story of an unassuming chemistry teacher who is given a fatal diagnosis and enters a world of drugs and crime, where he ascends to power. The cast includes Diego Trujillo ("El Capo" and "A Corazon Abierto") as Walter Blanco; Roberto Urbina ("Che: Part 1" and "Correo de Inocentes") as Walter's accomplice, Jose Miguel Rosas; Sandra Reyes ("El Cartel" and "Pedro el Escamoso") as Walter's wife, Cielo; and Julian Arango ("El Cartel" and "Betty la Fea") as Walter's brother-in-law and Colombian narcotics agent, Henry Navarro.

"Critics and audiences love 'Breaking Bad' and its original take on the drug dealing business," says Angelica Guerra, senior vice president and managing director, production, Latin America and U.S. Hispanic for SPT. "It is a very relevant story for all audiences, produced with the highest standards, in spectacular locations with the best talent in the region."

"'Metastasis' is masterfully complex and irresistibly compelling. We are sure the show can bring the audiences and acclaim garnered by the U.S. series to broadcasters in Latin America," adds Alex Marin, senior vice president, distribution, Latin America for SPT.

A top-rated series in the U.S., "Breaking Bad" has garnered seven Emmy Awards across its five-season run, including three consecutive wins in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Bryan Cranston. In addition, the drama has taken home four Writers Guild Awards, including two wins for Best Dramatic Series, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Directors Guild of America Award.

Critics have lauded "Breaking Bad's" storytelling since it first premiered in January 2008. The New Yorker describes the series as "explicitly addictive, full of cliffhangers…with visual flair that is rare for television," while Entertainment Weekly hails it as "a superlatively fresh metaphor for a middle-age crisis…a feel-good show about feeling really bad."

"Breaking Bad" is the latest hit to be adapted by SPT, whose successful track record includes local productions of "Married…with Children" in 12 territories including Colombia and Israel, "Everybody Loves Raymond" in five territories including the Middle East and Russia, "The King of Queens" in Bulgaria and Russia, as well as "I Dream of Jeannie" in India.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 13 countries outside the U.S. and also maintains offices in 33 countries. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds available in 159 countries, reaching more than 840 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, premier horror/thriller website and VOD service FEARnet and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in U.S. digital businesses including FEARnet, DrOz.com and PlayStation. 

SOURCE Sony Pictures Television