In a remarkable achievement for Spanish storytelling, the Netflix series El Jardinero (The Gardener), written by Malaga-born Isa Sánchez, has swiftly ascended to the number one spot globally among non-English language productions. Premiering on April 11, 2025, the show has captivated audiences, amassing over 7.7 million views and topping viewing figures in 21 countries, primarily in Europe and Latin America.
The series, a thrilling adaptation of the novel Cuando Nadie Nos Ve (When No One Sees Us) by Sergio Sarria, showcases the talents of several local scriptwriters, including Daniel Corpas and Germán Aparicio. Sánchez expressed her excitement about the show's success, stating, "We thought it could do well, but by this much... it's been tremendous and it's already number one in I don't know how many countries," as reported by SUR.
The Gardener tells the gripping story of La China Jurado, a Mexican woman portrayed by Cecilia Suárez, who operates a plant nursery in Galicia alongside her son Elmer (Álvaro Rico). Elmer, a gifted horticulturist, struggles with emotional impairment due to a childhood accident. Behind their facade as nursery owners, they engage in a lucrative business of contract killings, with Elmer executing the orders coldly and efficiently. However, their latest target, a kindergarten teacher named Violeta, complicates matters when Elmer unexpectedly develops feelings for her.
Sánchez credited her collaborator Miguel Sáez for crafting a plot that hooks viewers, saying, "Miguel Sáez is very good at creating plots that hook the viewer." She highlighted the series' visual appeal, set against the stunning landscapes of Pontevedra, and the strong performances from the cast, particularly the dynamic between Suárez and Rico.
Notably, the series consists of six episodes, a departure from the typical eight or ten, which Sánchez believes has contributed to its binge-worthy nature. "It's an attractive series to watch that takes place in spectacular gardens and landscapes, but the actors are also great, creating two tight pairings," she noted.
As the success of The Gardener continues to unfold, Sánchez is already focusing on her next project with Netflix: an adaptation of Alice Kellen's acclaimed novel A Map of Desires (El Mapa de los Anhelos). This upcoming miniseries, produced by Brutal Media, will see Sánchez take on the screenplay solo. She acknowledged the high expectations surrounding this adaptation, as Kellen's work has never before been translated to the screen.
"Expectations are high because she [Kellen] is an author with a huge following and her work has never been adapted for the screen until now," Sánchez said. The adaptation is set to move the story from its original U.S. setting to Spanish locations, similar to the previous successful transition seen in The Snow Girl.
Meanwhile, Netflix's financial performance has also been noteworthy, with the company reporting a robust first-quarter earnings of $6.61 per share, exceeding estimates by 16.17% and marking a 54.8% increase from the previous year. Revenues reached $10.54 billion, a 12.5% year-over-year increase, driven by membership growth and strategic pricing adjustments.
Netflix's stock has experienced a surge, closing at $973.03, up 2.33% for the week, as the company reassured investors with its optimistic outlook amidst economic challenges. The streaming giant has transitioned away from reporting specific subscriber counts, instead opting to focus on financial metrics and user engagement, a move that aligns with industry practices among other tech giants.
In the first quarter of 2025, Netflix's content offerings proved successful, with the third most popular English-language series, Adolescence, garnering 124 million views, alongside notable films like Back in Action (146 million views) and non-English hits such as Ad Vitam (63 million views) from France.
Netflix's marketing expenses rose by 5.2% year-over-year, totaling $688.4 million, while operating income increased by 27.1% to $3.34 billion. The company reported a free cash flow of $2.66 billion, allowing for significant share repurchases and debt reduction.
Looking ahead, Netflix has set ambitious targets, forecasting revenues to increase by 15.4% in the second quarter of 2025, projecting earnings of $7.03 per share, and aiming for a 29% operating margin for the year. The company is also targeting a market capitalization of $1 trillion by 2030, with plans to double its revenues and expand its content library significantly.
As Netflix continues to innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics, the success of The Gardener serves as a testament to the power of compelling storytelling and the global appetite for diverse narratives. With Sánchez's upcoming projects on the horizon, the future looks bright for both the writer and the streaming giant.
