A few weeks ago I gave you the first images from the new Zorro adventure series that Spain based Sequoya Studios is making, but now they have announced a whole slate of new projects which includes two historical ones as well. Together with Spanish broadcaster TVE and William Levy'sproduction house they will produce LOS 39 historical series about the Spaniards abandoned by explorer Christopher Columbus on the island of La

A portrait of Manuela Saenz

Española. They are also planning a period set telenovela MANUELA a historical drama about Manuela Sáenz, a woman who defied conventions in the 19th century. She was an Ecuadorian revolutionary heroine of South America who supported the revolutionary cause by gathering information, distributing leaflets and protesting for women's rights. She also had an intimate relationship with Simon Bolivar, Venezuelan military leader. Through that relationship, she was the first lady of Colombia, Venezuela and also of Peru during the 1820s. She is recognized as a feminist symbol of the 19th century wars of independence. It will be a co-production with Columbia.