For the first time, M Karagatsis’s 20th-century literary classic The Great Chimera is being adapted for the screen. The ambitious six-hour series, produced by Foss Productions in collaboration with Beta Film, ERT and international partners, aims to capture the novel’s complex exploration of love, identity and belonging while appealing to contemporary audiences. Foss Productions’ Stelios Cotionis and Beta Film’s Ferdinand Dohna discuss the adaptation, casting, production design and Greece’s evolving role in the international television landscape.

Cineuropa: The Great Chimera brings Karagatsis’ iconic novel to the screen for the first time. How did you approach translating such a revered work into a six-hour drama?
Stelios Cotionis: The Great Chimera is a cornerstone of modern Greek literature, and adapting it has been a long, challenging journey. Many have attempted this over the past 30 years. We assembled a strong creative team and collaborated with experts across Europe to deliver a version that honours the novel while appealing to contemporary audiences. Fidelity to Karagatsis’ vision guided us throughout. His exploration of love, identity and belonging remains deeply relevant, and shaping the novel into six hours of television required balancing its depth with pacing, visual rhythm and emotional accessibility. Panagiotis Iosifelis transformed the complex text into a compelling TV narrative, while director Vardis Marinakis translated the story’s complexity into a striking visual language, giving the series its cinematic identity. We are grateful to Dimitris Tarlow, Karagatsis’s descendant, for ensuring fidelity to the author’s spirit. Support from ERT, Beta Film, EKKOMED, Mompracem, the Italian Tax Credit and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission made a production of this scale possible. Finally, the teams at Foss Productions were essential in bringing this ambitious adaptation to life.

How did the historical and cultural context influence your choices in terms of production design, costumes and overall visual storytelling? How did the locations themselves shape the narrative?
SC: The late 1920s are not just a backdrop; they are central to the story. Every choice in production design, costumes and visual storytelling reflects the cultural and political tensions of the era – the interwar atmosphere, the blend of tradition and modernity, and the lingering impact of war and displacement. Karagatsis’s novel captures this transitional world, and we mirrored it in the textures, fabrics and framing of the series. Production designer Rania Gerogianni, costume designer Natassa Sarris, make-up designer Alexandra Myta, hair stylist Ioulia Sygrimi and cinematographer Giorgos Valsamis worked together to craft a visual identity that brings the era to life, turning the atmosphere into a character itself. Filming in Syros, Athens, Delos and Trieste allowed the locations to shape the narrative directly. The neoclassical beauty of Syros, the urban textures of Athens and the melancholic aura of Trieste embody the novel’s tension between rootedness and exile, reinforcing its themes of belonging and displacement.

The series features Fotinì Peluso, Andreas Konstantinou and Dimitris Kitsos in central roles. How did you approach casting to balance authenticity, star power and international appeal?
SC: Casting for The Great Chimera was complex and deeply rewarding. Finding Marina was the biggest challenge, and after an extensive search, we discovered Fotinì Peluso. Her half-Greek heritage bridged the character’s foreignness with a deep connection to Greece. Known for Netflix’s Everything Calls for Salvation and Greek Salad [+lee también:
entrevista: Cédric Klapisch
ficha de la serie], she brings freshness and emotional depth, anchoring the series. Andreas Konstantinou and Dimitris Kitsos, two of Greece’s most compelling actors, provide gravitas and intensity, creating a dynamic trio that captures the novel’s emotional tension. Karyofilia Karabeti, one of the most important actresses in Greece, embodies the tragic mother with depth and resonance, blending power with vulnerability and cementing the generational conflict at the heart of the story.

The series is a collaboration between Foss Productions, Beta Film, ERT and other partners. How did these collaborations influence the production, and what do they reveal about the current ambitions of Greek TV?
Ferdinand Dohna: Joining The Great Chimera early on was a pleasure, building on our successful collaboration with Foss on The Beach. Each partner contributed its unique expertise, enriching the narrative and supporting a larger production scale. Involving our Italian partner, Mompracem, enhanced the series’ Mediterranean tone and helped connect two culturally rich countries. Greece’s creative talent and stories are a valuable resource, and we are proud to support Foss and ERT in bringing this vision to an international audience.

Greek series are increasingly gaining global attention. How do you see The Great Chimera contributing to this momentum?
FD: Content is key, and Greek culture holds many stories that deserve to be shared. The Great Chimera, based on a bestselling novel, explores timeless themes of autonomy and societal norms, making it relevant across generations and appealing to international audiences. Greece’s television industry is evolving, with investments in local talent, high-quality production and compelling storytelling. With its visual ambition, strong cast and literary depth, The Great Chimera positions Greek storytelling firmly on the global stage and exemplifies the country’s growing creative momentum.

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Watch the trailer for The Great Chimera below: