Ricardo Darín in a scene from Netflix’s No. 1 non-English series “The Eternaut.”
Argentina’s groundbreaking sci-fi series The Eternaut stormed its way to the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 for non-English TV. The post-apocalyptic series captivated audiences worldwide, attracting an impressive 10.8 million views.
The six-episode series, starring renowned actor Ricardo Darín (The Secret in Their Eyes, Argentina, 1985) as Juan Salvo, depicts the devastation in Buenos Aires, following a deadly toxic snow that kills most of the city’s population and ultimately leads to the revelation of an alien invasion. The gripping story amassed 58.3 million viewing hours in the first week since its premiere on April 30.
Ahead of the series debut, Darín and director Bruno Stagnaro discussed the challenges of bringing the iconic 1957 graphic novel by Héctor G. Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López to the screen. They shared how the series stays true to the comic’s emphasis on solidarity and collective heroism – following ordinary people who band together against extraordinary threats – as the only way to survive. This focus on relationships and “Argentine-style” solutions – improvisation, resourcefulness, and creativity – resonates throughout the storyline.
The imagery played a crucial role in immersing viewers in the haunting post-apocalyptic environment, breaking new ground for Latin American television production. The Eternaut team utilized advanced virtual production techniques to create hyper-realistic, interactive backgrounds depicting the devastated landscape, elevating the viewing experience.
The show’s technical achievements, blend of suspense, collective heroism, and social commentary has resonated globally, reaching No. 1 across countries in the Americas and Europe, proving that compelling storytelling transcends language.
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