Telemundo casts Yon Gonzalez and Samantha Siqueiros in ‘Velvet’ remake
“Cable Girls” star Yon Gonzalez and Samantha Siqueiros, from the “Money Heist” prequel “Berlin,” will star in Telemundo’s remake of the hit Spanish series “Velvet.” They are joined by Ecuador’s Danilo Carrera, whose credits include ‘Sed de Venganza’ and ‘Hijas de la Luna’.
The original “Velvet” is a 2014 Spanish drama series produced by Bambú Productions for Atresmedia Televisión. The show, created by Ramon Campos and Gema R. Neira, is set in the fashion world and delves into themes of love, family and ambition. It spanned four seasons and received critical acclaim for its depiction of the glamorous lifestyle of the time.
The main story revolves around the ‘impossible’ romance between Alberto Márquez, heir to Galerías Velvet, one of the most prominent fashion houses of the time, and Ana who works there as a seamstress.
The new version of Telemundo is a multi-episode telenovela format set in present-day New York. The film will be shot from the end of February at Telemundo Studios in Miami and on location in New York. Discussions are underway with leading Latino fashion designers to have cameos in the series.
“Since we started filming in Miami, we also take the opportunity to involve celebrities: singers, athletes and other famous personalities. We are talking to a lot of people who live here in Miami so that they can potentially participate in the series at some point,” said Javier Pons, director of Telemundo Studios in an interview with Variety.
“I have to say that since we announced our plans to create ‘Velvet’ there has been an extraordinary wave of excitement and anticipation across the market. We have received numerous casting proposals from actors and actresses who wanted to participate in the project. It was a challenging process, but we put together something very special,” he adds.
Reflecting on the upcoming show, Pons notes, “This once again highlights Telemundo’s commitment to innovation, along with Telemundo Studios’ efforts to not only have an impressive cast – filled with prominent names from the North American and Mexican entertainment industries, but also to to showcase the show and provide opportunities for emerging talent.”
Siqueiros will play Ana Velásquez, who rises from humble beginnings in her native Mexico to settle in New York at a young age, reflecting the struggles and challenges Latinos face across generations in the United States.
“It is a series that focuses on two hearts of humanity, not just one. One heart lies in haute couture, where glamour, luxury, ambition and betrayal play out in Manhattan. The other heart is in Queens, where the Velvet workers live – a heart rooted in simplicity, everyday life and the struggle of the ordinary,” says Pons. Variety, adding that they would closely follow the storylines of the original.
NBCUniversal’s U.S. Latin American broadcast network expects years ahead, given its upcoming schedule and exclusive coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
In its year-end report, Telemundo announced that it took the top spot as the No. 1 Spanish-language broadcast network in primetime Monday through Sunday, drawing a total of 962,000 viewers with its regular programming, led by “El Señor de los Cielos” and reality show “La Casa de los Famosos.” The network saw a 13% increase in viewership year over year, outperforming its Spanish-language rivals, which saw a decline.
