Iberian Wildfire Thriller Series ‘Lume’ Nails Down International Cast After Max Pickup (EXCLUSIVE)

Portuguese-Spanish echo-drama “Lume,” an RTP (Portugal), TV Galicia (Spain) and Max pickup, has filled out its Iberian cast.

From the western side of the peninsula, Portuguese Academy Sophia Award-winner Lúcia Moniz (“Listen,” “Uma Vida à Espera”), Albano Jerónimo (“The Domain”) and Ricardo Pereira (“Amor Amor”) have all joined the show’s ranks.

The Portuguese trio will be joined by Spanish actors Cristina Castaño (“La que se avecina”) Xúlio Abonjo (“Sin Plomo”) and Alfonso Agra (“Serramoura”).

“Lume” was inspired by the increasingly frequent wildfires that have ravaged the Spanish and Portuguese countryside in recent years. In the show, a forest fire endangers a small village on the border between Galicia and Portugal. There, Lucía starts a journalistic investigation of the case that quickly becomes personal. She quickly learns that while a fire can destroy, it can also expose hidden truths.

The show is being produced by Coral Europa in Portugal and Setemedia in Spain. Local broadcasters in Portugal (RTP) and Spain (TV Galicia) and streaming platform Max are all on board to distribute the series when it’s ready to air. Currently in pre-production, shooting will kick off next month and the show is scheduled for delivery in 2025.

“Through an absorbing and enigmatic atmosphere, the plot explores the economic interests that conceal the true causes of the forest fires, providing an accurate portrayal of the rural environment in the 21st century,” says Coral Europa General Manager Bruno de Lima Santos.

In addition to splitting production duties, Portugal and Spain will also each contribute a director to the show. From Portugal, International Emmy-winner and two-time nominee Sérgio Graciano (“Laços de Sangue”) will helm. He’ll be joined by Spain’s Giselle Llanio (“Pazo da familia”).

“Lume is an eco-thriller that centers on the issue of forest fires that ravage Galicia and Portugal every year,” Lima Santos told Variety during this year’s Conecta Fiction. “Through an absorbing and enigmatic atmosphere, the plot explores the economic interests that conceal the true causes of the forest fires, providing an accurate portrayal of the rural environment in the 21st century. Lume is also a journey into identity, delving into familial roots and wounds, as well as the idiosyncrasies of two neighboring countries.”