The first adaptation for the small screen of a novel by Almudena Grandes will soon arrive on RTVE. Everything points to the fact that the public network will premiere this spring the period blockbuster Los pacientes del Dr. García, one of the best novels of the Madrid writer - who died in November 2021 - and which mixes the drama and the thriller of spies
The series, which has been made in the most faithful way that allows the adaptation to television of a giant novel like Los pacientes del doctor García (Tusquets Ediciones), has ten episodes and features Javier Rey, Verónica Echegui and Tamar Novas in the roles of the leading trio. The story covers a wide space of time (it begins in Madrid in 1936 and ends in 1976) and travels through different countries, such as Spain, Russia, Germany and Argentina.
After the premiere on RTVE and Play, the series will also land on Netflix. "It is a very big responsibility to bring to television a novel that won the National Narrative award, and a huge challenge because of the number of readers who follow Almudena and because of what his work and his figure mean", he pointed out at the Festival from Málaga the director of the series, Joan Noguera.
Javier Rey, who plays Dr. Guillermo García, also declared in Malaga that "there is something" in his character, "between bravery and honor, which fascinates me, I admire him", while Verónica Echegui advance on this historical thriller that "will discover to many viewers a reality they did not know about the Civil War", something that has happened to her herself.
"What is told in Doctor García's patients is a love story that is not typical; Amparo is a character you rarely meet. She is a Falangist of the Women's Section, who sees herself relegated to the house, but feels many concerns; it has a lot of edges that I love," added the actress.
And Tamar Novas explained about his character, Manuel Arroyo, that "it is impossible not to adore him, a man with infinite lives and identities, inspired by real people, it is fascinating for Almudena Grandes to recover these loser ghosts". In addition, he added, "this story of a friendship that begins in the most fortuitous way offers at the same time a beautiful metaphor for our country, because it is a story of changing sides, and he has to change his identity".
