Dutch TV series about Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has been sold to Spain's Atresmedia TV

Release time：2024-05-21 14:05:10 Source：Culture Chronicle news portal

The Dutch TV series about the life of Queen Maxima of the Netherlands has been sold to Spain's Atresmedia TV.

The six-part show, which sparked comparisons to The Crown, dramatises the Queen's upbringing in Argentina and recounts how a chance meeting with the then Prince Willem-Alexander, 56, changed the course of her life forever. 

The series has already sold to networks in Latin America, Israel and across Europe in Germany, Italy, Croatia and Latvia - however now it has clinched another major territory sale in Spain, according to Variety.

Atresmedia TV has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast the much talked about series in the European nation.   

Argentinian actress Delfina Chaves plays the lead role, while Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander is played by Martijn Lakemeier. 

The Dutch TV series about the life of Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is sold to Spain 's Atresmedia TV

Rachel van Bommel, the series' producer and CEO of lead producer Millstreet Films told the outlet: 'Máxima's story is relatable and inspiring, told from the point of view of a strong and independent woman. 

'When writing a series based on real events, one has to constantly ask oneself where truth and accuracy lie. 

'In this series we tell the story of an emotional journey, from Máxima’s old life to her new life, and the drama that accompanied it.'  

Maxima's father, Juan Antonio Zorreguieta Bonorino, played by Daniel Freire, is also depicted alongside his wife, Cesina Stefanini Borella.

The series will delve into Juan's relationship with his daughter and his controversial political background.

Juan had served as the Minister of Agriculture under the regime of General Jorge Rafael Videla, commander in chief of the army and a member of the right-wing junta that ran Argentina.

On the promotional poster, Maxima's mother, Cesina Stefanini Borella, played by Maria Pame, looked stylish in a chic ensemble.

Willem-Alexander's parents, Beatrix of the Netherlands, played by Elsie de Brauw, and Prince Claus, played by Sebastian Koch, also feature in series. 

Maxima has already sold to networks in Latin America, Israel and across Europe in Germany , Italy , Croatia and Latvia , however now it has clinched another major territory sale in Spain, according to Variety 

Maxima graduated with a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina before moving to the United States to work in a number of banks in New York

The six-part show, which sparked comparisons to The Crown, dramatises the Queen's upbringing in Argentina and how a chance meeting with the then Prince Willem-Alexander , 56, changed the course of her life forever

 Crown prince Willem-alexander proudly showed off the ring of his then fiancee Maxima Zorreguieta during a press conference in 2001

It comes after the sizzling trailer for a series was released by Dutch streamer Videoland earlier this year. 

Scenes recreating her first meeting with King Willem-Alexander during a fair in Seville in 1999 are interlaced with the couple's highs and lows, including meeting her future in-laws, Beatrix of the Netherlands and Claus von Amsberg, and getting engaged.

The two-minute clip started with a narration from Delfina Chaves - who plays the titular role - over footage of a man and his daughter spending time together in a field in Argentina, where Maxima grew up.

'My father always told me I had to reach for the highest, to work hard. He taught me everything,' the voiceover said. 'I am who I am because of him.'

Later, Maxima can be seen taking photos at a party during the annual Seville Spring Fair 25 years ago, sporting a chic scarlet off-the shoulder dress.

'Maxima, here is Wilhelm-Alexander, prince of the Netherlands,' a friend said in introduction.

The drama will cover Queen Maxima 's upbringing in Argentina and how a chance meeting with King Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever

A montage of the royals' romantic antics then portray Wilhelm-Alexander showing up with a bouquet of roses, the couple sharing a passionate kiss, and walking up to meet Beatrix of the Netherlands and Claus von Amsberg

Martijn Lakemeier - who plays the monarch - then asked Maxima 'how an Argentinian lady ended up on Wall Street', in reference to her time as vice president of the emerging markets division of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in New York.

'That's a long story,' she replied. 'Well I have time,' Wilhelm-Alexander quipped back flirtatiously.

Another clip then showed the couple enjoying some drinks together, when Maxima remarked that 'it must be hard being a Crown Prince'.

'It's not the most common question I get on a first date,' he said, flustered, before realising his slip-up and correcting: 'Day, first day.'

A montage of the royals' romantic antics then portray Wilhelm-Alexander showing up with a bouquet of roses, the couple sharing a passionate kiss, and walking up to meet his parents.

Beatrix - then Queen of the Netherlands - can be seen telling Maxima: 'I can see why he likes you.'

Elsewhere, Claus von Amsberg - played by Sebastian Koch - offered his sage wisdom to a fellow non-royal marrying into the family: 'You want some advice from an old veteran? Stay where you are.'

The last scene, set to dramatic music, show Maxima and Wilhelm-Alexander as he can be heard saying: 'Screw everyone - all I care about is you and what makes you happy.'

The drama will cover Queen Maxima's upbringing in Argentina and how a chance meeting with King Willem-Alexander changed the course of her life forever. 

Another captured the future Queen as she prepared to announce her engagement to the world in 2001

The future Queen was educated at the English-style Northlands school in the city where she received a bilingual baccalaureate in 1988, speaking fluently in her native Spanish and English. Pictured (right) with friends in Buenos Aires

Maxima and Willem attend the Wedding of Princess Martha Louise of Norway in Trondheim

The newlyweds waving to the crowd on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam in February 2002 

Delfina, 27, is taking on the role of the Dutch Queen. She is already a mega star in Maxima's home country - having appeared in hit shows such as Love After Loving, Rap Battlefield and The Secret of the Greco Family.

The glitzy adaptation, comprising three directors, Saskia Diesing, Joosje Duk, and Iván López Núñez, is based on the historical novel of the same name by Marcia Luyten.

It will follow Maxima's transition into royal life and the obstacles she had to overcome along the way, including the tragic death of a sister and Dutch public anger about her father's involvement in the military junta.

Maxima's father was an established politician, serving as the Minister of Agriculture under the regime of General Jorge Rafael Videla, commander in chief of the army and a member of the right-wing junta that ran Argentina.

His involvement in the dictatorship would later become an issue for Maxima to confront. It is remembered as the period of the 'dirty war' against political opponents in Argentina. Up to 30,000 people died.

In April 1999, while on holiday in Seville, Maxima would meet the love of her life.

The pair had both been attending a party at the annual Seville Spring Fair where she bumped into her future husband Prince Willem-Alexander.

Although they were in a serious relationship, Maxima did her best to keep the prince's identity secret.

She said: 'I would tell them something different (about Willem) every time, but at some point, there was nothing for it other than to say: 'He's the Prince of the Netherlands.''

The next year, in May 2000, Maxima relocated to work at the European Union Representative Office of Deutsche Bank in Brussels, Belgium.

Soon after the move, in 2001, Willem proposed to Maxima while ice-skating on a pond near Huis ten Bosch Palace.

The couple were married on 1 February 2002 at Amsterdam's Nieuwe Kerk, however, it was not straightforward leading up to the wedding and her father's past threatened their marriage.

It became a point of national debate in the Netherlands whether Maxima could become part of the royal family because of her father's ties with the right-wing junta that ran Argentina.

Despite ongoing controversies, Willem-Alexander's mother, Queen Beatrix at the time, continued to welcome Maxima into their home.

Maxima and Willem were only allowed to marry after the Dutch parliament investigating her father's past concluded that the future Queen had known nothing of the war atrocities. She had been in primary school during the junta years.

Maxima managed to overcome the controversy surrounding their marriage amazingly, winning over the Dutch people with her smile, charisma and intelligence.

The couple have three children together, Princess Amelia, 19, Princess Alexia, 17 and Princess Ariane, 15.

Told from Maxima's perspective, the series sets out to explain the controversy surrounding her father's political career while she simultaneously navigated her relationship with the crown prince.

Related articles