The first adaptation for the small screen of a novel by Almudena Grandes will soon arrive on RTVE. Everything indicates that the public channel will premiere this spring the period blockbuster Dr. García's patients, one of the best novels by the Madrid writer who died in November 2021 and that mixes drama and spy thriller.
The series, which is as faithful as the television adaptation of a giant novel such as Los pacientes del doctor García (Tusquets Ediciones) can be, has ten chapters and features Javier Rey, Verónica Echégui and Tamar Novas in the roles of the leading trio. The story covers a wide space of time (begins in Madrid in 1936 and ends in 1976) and travels through different countries such as Spain, Russia, Germany and Argentina.
It is the first time in Spain that one of Almudena Grandes' novels will come to television. After its premiere on RTVE and Play, the series will also land on Netflix. "It is a very big responsibility to bring a novel that has won the National Narrative Award to television, and an enormous challenge due to the number of readers who follow Almudena and for what her work and figure entails," he said at the recent Festival de Malaga the director of the series, Joan Noguera.
Javier Rey, who plays doctor Guillermo García, also declared in Malaga that "there is something" in his character, "between courage and honor that fascinates me, I admire him", while Verónica Echegui advanced on this historical thriller that "will to discover to many spectators a reality that they did not know about the Civil War”, something that has happened to her herself.
“What is told in Los pacientes del doctor García is a love story that is not typical; Amparo is a character that you rarely meet. She is a Falangist of the Women's Section, who is relegated to the house, but she feels many concerns; She has many edges that I love, ”the actress continued.
And Tamar Novas explained about her character, Manuel Arroyo, that "it is impossible not to adore him, a guy with infinite lives and identities, inspired by real people, it is fascinating for Almudena Grandes to recover these losing ghosts." In addition, he added, "this story of a friendship that begins in the most fortuitous way offers at the same time a precious metaphor for our country, because it is a story of changing sides in the same way that he has to change his identity."
With more than 2,500 extras and 150 locations, between natural interiors and exteriors in Segovia, Guadalajara and Madrid, highlights include the Palacio de Riofrío, the Quinta del Pardo, the Fort of Guadalajara, and emblematic buildings and places in Madrid such as the Instituto Cervantes, the Military Casino, the Linares Palace, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Puerta del Sol, or the Retiro Park.
