Carmen Machi (whom we’ve seen recently in flicks such as Piggy [+lire aussi :
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bande-annonce
interview : Carlota Pereda
fiche film], Rainbow [+lire aussi :
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bande-annonce
fiche film] and The Volunteer [+lire aussi :
critique
fiche film] as well as in series of the likes of La Mesías [+lire aussi :
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bande-annonce
fiche série] and The Girls at the Back) will topline the cast of Celeste, the new original series by Movistar Plus+ created by successful screenwriter Diego San José, who is famous for the trilogy Vote for Juan, Vamos Juan and Venga Juan [+lire aussi :
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fiche série] (winners of the Feroz Award for Best TV Comedy in 2021 and 2022), and who teamed up with Borja Cobeaga to pen the storylines for movies such as The Friend Zone [+lire aussi :
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bande-annonce
interview : Borja Cobeaga
fiche film], No controles [+lire aussi :
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fiche film], Spanish Affair [+lire aussi :
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fiche film], Bomb Scared [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] and Superlópez [+lire aussi :
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fiche film].

In charge of directing its six episodes is Elena Trapé, the helmer behind Blog [+lire aussi :
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fiche film], Distances [+lire aussi :
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interview : Elena Trapé
fiche film] (winner of the Biznagas for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Málaga Film Festival) and The Enchanted [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] (with which she returned to the Southern Spanish festival last year, once again going home with the Best Screenplay gong). The Catalan filmmaker has also directed episodes of various series, such as Rapa [+lire aussi :
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fiche série], Elite and HIT.

The story – which brings to mind a certain, high-profile case in which an accusation of tax evasion was levelled at a famous female singer – introduces us to Celeste, a huge Latin music star. Her songs are a global phenomenon, her concerts pack out entire stadiums, she has her own brand of perfume, her own line of lingerie and long, flowing hair that she uses to promote her own shampoo. But this series is not about her; the real protagonist is Sara Santano, a revenue agent who has dedicated her entire life to collecting taxes. This is the only thing she has done ever since she passed the public exams as a twentysomething – until now, the moment when, after more than 30 years faithfully serving the tax agency, she can take early retirement. Or so she thinks. Because on her last day at work, she receives the most important assignment of her career: proving that Celeste is a resident of Spain and, therefore, is obliged to pay her taxes in the country, which amount to around €20 million. To pull this off, Sara will have to put her own life on hold to investigate Celeste’s and prove that she spent 184 days (half the year plus one day) in Spain.

For the actress, who won a Goya Award for the aforementioned Spanish Affair, stepping into the shoes of a sullen individual such as this “has been an immense gift […]. When Diego called to tell me that he’d written something with me in mind, I was extremely excited. He’s created a character replete with silences and a rich inner world. When Diego explained to me what the story was about, I was in stitches, even though it should be stated that it’s not a comedy,” sums up Carmen Machi.

For the brains behind all of this, Diego San José, “Celeste was born of the challenge of trying to make a dizzying thriller that would revolve around the most humdrum character I could possibly think of: a 60-year-old tax inspector who lives alone and has no special skills to speak of. Because the show attempts to be exactly that: an extreme pursuit to the limits, within the depressing world of a tax agency. It’s like Zodiac, but with income tax,” he quips.

Celeste is a Movistar Plus+ original (and will be available to watch on that same platform later this year) staged in co-production with 100 Balas (part of The Mediapro Studio). Its international sales are being entrusted to The Mediapro Studio Distribution.