María José Rodríguez Steps Down as Amazon MGM Studios Head of Spanish Originals (EXCLUSIVE)

María José Rodríguez, a driver of Prime Video’s large success in Spain, has stepped down as Amazon Studios’ head of Spanish originals. 

Announced Monday by Nicole Morganti, Amazon Studios head of local originals for Southern Europe, Rodríguez’s departure comes just a week after Prime Video unveiled its 2024 slate in Madrid, reviewing what it hailed as a “banner” first semester. 

That included “Reina Roja” (“Red Queen”), greenlit by Rodríguez, which featured in the platform’s Top 10 most-watched titles internationally at launch, and singing competition show “Operación Triunfo,” brought to  Amazon Studios by Rodríguez, becoming the most acquired Spanish Original in the history of Prime Video in Spain.

“María José’s impact on the Prime Video has been significant,” Morganti said Monday. “There is no greater demonstration of her vision than bringing the Culpables trilogy to life for customers, beginning with ‘Culpa Mia,’ Prime Video’s most successful international original movie of all time, and looking ahead to ‘Culpa Tuya,’ coming late this year.

Rodríguez also oversaw sci-fi mind-bender “Awareness” and “Los Farad,” a classy arms-trafficking family saga from Mariano Barroso, as Amazon Spain zeroed in on show types moving the dial in SVOD: genre-blending action thrillers and romantic teen tellers, plus non-fiction.

Interviewed last week by Variety alongside Ricardo Carbonero, director of Prime Video in Spain and Portugal, Rodríguez also announced that select Amazon movie originals in Spain would receive a theatrical release, beginning with “La Virgen Roja,” which world premieres as a special screening at September’s San Sebastian Festival. 

“María José has been a powerful voice for Amazon MGM Studios in Spain’s TV and film industry, launching the CIMA10 initiative, our educational programme designed to encourage more women into our industry,” Morganti added. “She has been a driving force in the enormous success that we have seen for Prime Video Spain, and we are grateful for her passion and dedication in making Prime Video Spain a true home for talent,” she concluded.