“Vida’s” Tanya Saracho Working on a New Show at Starz
It’s been nearly two years since “Vida” took its final bow at Starz, and now there’s word that the network and series creator Tanya Saracho are joining forces on a new project. According to Deadline, Saracho is developing half-hour...
JimMin
It’s been nearly two years since “Vida” took its final bow at Starz, and now there’s word that the network and series creator Tanya Saracho are joining forces on a new project. According to Deadline, Saracho is developing half-hour drama “Lovesong,” the story of two Mexican-American friends living in London who are both drawn to the same singer-songwriter.
“A love story born out of betrayal and paid for with the cost of friendship,” the source describes “Lovesong.” “Steeped in the East London music scene, the series embarks on a cinematic contemplation of love, sex, identity, purpose, and the price of happiness.”
Under her deal with UCP, Saracho will exec produce the project via her company, Ojalá Productions. Ojalá’s Christine Dávila will co-exec produce, and actor-musician Johnny Flynn (“Emma.”) will serve as composer and co-EP. UCP and Lionsgate Television are the producers.
“This story is very much a child of the pandemic, born from those times when we were yearning for love stories to soothe the soul and light the way through the dark times. This is also when the light of Johnny Flynn’s music found me and lit the way into the story. While I spent five months in London, Johnny was generous enough to lead me through his lived experience of the East London music scene, which now comprises the world of ‘Lovesong,’” Saracho explained. “It’s wonderful to be coming home to Starz to conceive of my new story of love, a place that truly nurtured and supported me while I crafted the love story of the two Hernandez sisters in ‘Vida,’ and I couldn’t be happier to return to bring this new narrative to life.”
The “Lovesong” announcement was made ahead of Starz’s first #TakeTheLead summit on May 19, which is part of the network’s overall commitment to telling inclusive stories. Saracho will discuss the need for representation at the summit’s “Power of Allyship” panel.
“We are beyond thrilled to partner with Tanya to bring her bold and tantalizing love story to life,” said Kathryn Busby, Starz’s President of Original Programming. “Throughout her career and from ‘Vida’ to ‘Lovesong’ on Starz, her dedication to Latine representation embodies the spirit of #TakeTheLead.”
Last fall, Saracho was honored with the Norman Lear writing prize at the Imagen Awards. She also took home the Best Director – Television award for her work on “Vida,” which followed two sisters trying to revitalize their late mother’s struggling bar in gentrifying Boyle Heights for three seasons. The Starz series featured all-Latine writers and directors throughout its run, with Seasons 2 and 3 helmed entirely by Latina directors and Season 3 penned exclusively by Latina writers. Saracho made her directorial debut on the Season 2 finale, and went on to helm three episodes of the final season, including the series finale.
“How to Get Away with Murder” and “Looking” are among Saracho’s other TV writing credits. Also a playwright, her productions include “Fade,” “Hushabye,” and “Mala Hierba.”
