Netflix has announced that they are developing the Spanish superhero comedy El Vecino (The Neighbor). The series is based on the popular graphic novels by Santiago Garcia and Pepo Perez and it's set to be one of the five new Spanish projects that the streaming platform has on tap for 2020. This follows the success of Elite and Carmen Sandiego, with the latter receiving accolades for being a perfect follow up to the original series from the 1990s.
El Vecino centers on main character Javier, who has had some recent bad luck. An alien landed on him, transferring his powers to the human before passing away, which seems okay, but Javier lost his job and his girlfriend has decided that she needs a break from the relationship. Thankfully, Javier's neighbor Jose steps in to help him out and teaches him how to harness his powers while keeping his identity a secret. But, things don't go smooth for too much longer for the new superhero, who finds out that his girlfriend is investigating this mysterious new superhero on the scene.
El Vecino stars Quim Gutiérrez, Clara Lago, Catalina Sopelana, and Adrián Pino. The Netflix series will be directed by Nacho Vigalondo from a story written by Miguel Esteban and Raul Navarro. It will be executive produce by Nahikari Ipina, Eneko Gutierrez with Carlos de Pando, and Sara Antuna set as showrunners. It isn't clear at this time if Santiago Garcia and Pepo Perez will have any involvement with El Vecino, but long-time fans are more than likely holding out hope that they will.
In addition to El Vecino, Netflix is developing El Desorden Que Dejas (The Mess You Leave Behind) from Elite's co-creator Carlos Montero, Valeria, Dias De Navidad, and Memorias De Idhun. Plus, the streaming platform is working on further seasons of La Casa De Papel (Money Heist), Las Chicas Del Cable, and Elite, along with the new shows Hache, Alta Mar, and Criminal. Out of all of the new shows in development for 2020, El Desorden Que Dejas will be something for Elite fans to look forward to. The series is a psychological drama based on Montero's award winning novel.
Netflix has not set specific release dates for the new shows, only stating that they will arrive some time in 2020. El Vecino first surfaced as a series of comics in 2004. Santiago Garcia and Pepo Perez kept writing through five volumes and then later published as shorts in a Spanish magazine. Fans of the original series have been waiting years for something to happen with the stories in terms of a TV series or a movie. Thankfully, Netflix has taken the project on and it will be arriving soon. Hopefully El Vecino will satisfy hardcore fans of the original comic series. The Netflix Spanish development news was first reported by Deadline.