Banijay launches new Mexico & US Hispanic production studio

Marie Leguizamo

Banijay Americas is launching a new production studio, Banijay Mexico & US Hispanic, to be headed up by producer Marie Leguizamo.

Based in both Mexico City and at Banijay America’s Los Angeles offices, the new studio will focus on original content in both English and Spanish for broadcast, cable and streamers in the Mexican and US Hispanic markets.

Leguizamo, who has spent the last decade as an executive producer of unscripted series for the company, will serve as the studio’s managing director.

The exec has produced unscripted television for nearly two decades, while in 2019, she signed an overall development and executive producer deal with the company’s sister Mexico City-based studio Endemol Shine Boomdog.

Leguizamo recently wrapped executive producing the third and fourth seasons of Boomdog and Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing (LOL) and has served as the showrunner/exec producer on Spanish-language series including La Voz Kids for Telemundo, Pequeños Gigantes USA and Mira Quien Baila.

“We are truly excited to be launching a new studio that’s focused on developing and producing original content for the Mexican and US Hispanic marketplaces and to have someone like Marie at the helm,” said Cris Abrego, chairman of the Americas, Banijay and president and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings. “Marie is perfectly suited for this role—she’s one of the most respected producers in this space, she has deep roots in both nations and is entrepreneurial at heart.”

“I am honored to be given this unique opportunity to lead a new label focused on creating fresh and innovative content for both Mexican and U.S. Hispanic audiences,” said Leguizamo. “It’s an incredibly exciting time in this space right now, with so many networks and emerging platforms looking to acquire premium programming.”