Álex Pina

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pina's career began in journalism, working for *El Diario Vasco*, *Diario de Mallorca*, and the Europa Press Agency. Between 1993 and 1996, he worked as a scriptwriter and editor for Videomedia before joining Globomedia in 1996. In 1997, he started as a screenwriter on *Más que amigos* and *Periodistas*. He went on to create, executive produce, and write for Spanish series including *Los Serrano* (2003–2008), *Los hombres de Paco* (2005–2010; 2021), *El barco* (2011–2013), and *Vis a Vis* (2015–2020). At Globomedia, he co-founded Cangrejo Films and produced films such as *Fuga de cerebros* (2009), *Tres Metros Sobre el Cielo* (2010), and *Tengo ganas de ti* (2012). He also directed and co-wrote the film *Kamikaze* (2014). At the end of 2016, after *Vis a Vis*'s second season, Pina left Globomedia and founded his own production company, Vancouver Media. Its first production was *La Casa de Papel*, which premiered on Antena 3 on 2 May 2017 with more than four million viewers. The series was distributed worldwide by Netflix and became the biggest success of his career, leading to an exclusive contract with the streaming platform. In 2020, he created and co-produced *White Lines*. He also co-created and produced with Esther Martínez Lobato the series *Sky Rojo* (2021–2023) and *Berlin* (2023–present), a prequel spin-off of *Money Heist*.

In Their Own Story

In 2016, after finishing the second season of *Vis a Vis*, Pina left Globomedia and founded Vancouver Media. His first project was *La Casa de Papel*, a heist drama that premiered on Antena 3 on 2 May 2017, drawing more than four million viewers. The series was later picked up by Netflix and distributed worldwide, becoming the defining success of Pina's career. That success led to an exclusive contract with Netflix for the creation and production of original series. Pina then created and co-produced *White Lines* in 2020, and with Esther Martínez Lobato co-created and produced *Sky Rojo* (2021–2023) and *Berlin* (2023–present), a prequel spin-off of *Money Heist*.

Reader's Guide

Pina's work on *La Casa de Papel* began as a limited series for Antena 3. The show premiered on 2 May 2017 with more than four million viewers. After its initial Spanish run, Netflix acquired the rights and distributed it globally, turning it into an international hit. This success prompted Pina to expand the story, leading to additional seasons and the spin-off *Berlin* (2023–present). Pina's earlier series *Vis a Vis* (2015–2020) also built a strong following. His production company, Vancouver Media, founded in late 2016, has been the home for all his subsequent Netflix projects. Pina's background as a journalist and his years at Globomedia, where he created shows like *Los Serrano* and *El barco*, shaped his approach to character-driven, high-concept television.

Did You Know?

• Álex Pina began his career as a journalist, working for *El Diario Vasco* and *Diario de Mallorca* before moving into television.
• He founded his own production company, Vancouver Media, at the end of 2016 after leaving Globomedia.
• *La Casa de Papel* premiered on Antena 3 on 2 May 2017 with more than four million viewers.
• Pina co-created and produced *Berlin* (2023–present), a prequel spin-off of *Money Heist*, with Esther Martínez Lobato.
• *The Hollywood Reporter* listed Pina in their 'Top International Showrunners of 2019'.