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Bestselling Chilean author Isabel Allende has confirmed that her groundbreaking debut novel, The House of the Spirits, will soon come to life on the small screen. Speaking at a press conference in Santiago, Chile, Allende revealed that Prime Video’s highly anticipated adaptation will premiere in 2026, offering audiences a Spanish-language retelling of her multigenerational saga.
Attendees at the event were treated to an exclusive sneak peek of the eight-episode series, which reimagines Allende’s family epic against a backdrop of magical realism, political upheaval, and personal strife. The story follows the Trueba family across several decades, chronicling their loves, betrayals, secrets, and survival through periods of sweeping social change. At its core, the narrative captures the struggle between Esteban Trueba, the family’s proud and domineering patriarch, and his granddaughter Alba, whose fierce willpower and ideals place her on the opposite side of a growing generational divide.
The newly unveiled cast showcases a blend of Chilean and international talent. Aline Kuppenheim (Chile ’76) takes on the role of Nivea del Valle, while Fernanda Urrejola (Cry Macho) portrays Blanca Trueba. Rising star Rochi Hernández appears as Alba, the novel’s pivotal younger generation heroine. Alfonso Herrera (Sense8) leads as Esteban Trueba, and Clara del Valle—the clairvoyant matriarch—will be played at different stages of life by Nicole Wallace (My Fault) and acclaimed actress-director Dolores Fonzi. Fonzi, whose second feature film Belen is currently competing at the 73rd San Sebastian Film Festival, will see her directorial work stream on Prime Video following its festival circuit.
Allende joined showrunners Francisca Alegria (The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future), Andrés Wood (News of a Kidnapping), and cast member Urrejola in a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities of adapting the beloved novel into serialized television. With over 70 million copies sold worldwide, The House of the Spirits remains one of the most significant literary works of the 20th century. Its previous adaptation, a 1993 Hollywood film starring Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, and Antonio Banderas, was widely criticized for its mismatched accents and casting choices. Reflecting on that attempt in a 2021 interview, Allende noted that audiences today embrace subtitled productions, making it possible to prioritize authenticity and talent over “big names.”
The Prime Video series is being produced by FilmNation Entertainment, the Academy Award-winning studio behind Anora and Conclave, in collaboration with Fabula, the Chilean powerhouse production company run by Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín, known for A Fantastic Woman and The Eternal Memory. Allende herself is an executive producer alongside Eva Longoria through Hyphenate Media Group and Courtney Saladino (Jessica Jones).
Set for exclusive release on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories, the series joins a growing slate of Latin American originals on the platform, including Betty La Fea: La Historia Continúa, Desconectados 2: Reconectados, Vencer o Morir, Menem, and Sayen. With its star-studded creative team and deep ties to Chilean culture, The House of the Spirits promises to deliver a landmark television event that honors the legacy of Allende’s celebrated novel.
