'Gripping' Spanish thriller with Stanley Tucci quietly added to free platform
A 'distinctive' series about a diplomat hunting down a team of treasure hunters to recover their spoils is now streaming for free in the UK.
First hitting screens in 2021, La Fortuna is a Spanish-American adventure drama television miniseries.
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar, the series marked the acclaimed filmmakers first foray into small screen productions.
Based on the 2018 graphic novel El tesoro del Cisne Negro by Paco Roca and Guillermo Corral, the six-parter was also based on an incredible true story.
In 1804 the Spanish ship Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes was sunk by the British Navy off the south coast of Portugal during the Battle of Cap Santa Maria.
Over two centuries later, in 2007, the Florida-based company Odysseus Marine Exploration reported having discovered a shipwreck, later revealed to be the Senora.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The crew recovered almost 500,000 silver and gold coins from the wreck before transporting them to the United States.
But soon after the Spanish government kickstarted a legal battle over what it considered to be illegal looting, with the coins estimated to be worth around $500,000 (£368,000).
In the TV show, the story focuses on Alex Ventura (Álvaro Mel), a young diplomat who ends up spearheading efforts to recover the underwater shipwreck of La Fortuna, seized off the coast of Gibraltar by Frank Wild (Stanley Tucci), a treasure hunter.
It was teased of the show: 'La Fortuna was known to be carrying gold gathered all over South America to fund the Spanish war effort. Wild and his crew claim to have found it by chance. Now the Spanish government wants it back.'
The series also stars Ana Polvorosa as Lucía Vallarta, a civil servant and T'Nia Miller as Susan McLean, a lawyer collaborating with Frank.
At the time reviews of the series were mixed from critics and viewers, but many did share they were drawn in by the unique premise.
'There is no puzzle to solve in La Fortuna, no hidden messages, and that relative straightforwardness coupled with the actors' clinic put on by Tucci and Peters is enough to make La Fortuna worth retrieving from the depths of streaming,' Vulture wrote in its review.
'La Fortuna's distinctive story, combined with the standout performances from Tucci and Peters, make the show one we want to stick with,' Decider shared.
'It's a very topical, hot-button issue that the series addresses, intelligently and not without acknowledging that its central controversy has two sides — even if director and co-writer Alejandro Amenábar makes clear which side he's on,' the Wall Street Journal added.
Deadline explained the show as 'a strange, soupy hybrid of courtroom drama, Indiana Jones fantasies and an Iberian version of The Office'.
Meanwhile fans said it was a 'breath of fresh air worth binging', a 'masterpiece' and even 'the best Spanish series ever'.
Speaking to Empire in 2022, Stanley spoke about being drawn to his character, who is described in the first episode as a 'pirate'.
What drew you to your character in La Fortuna****, who is actually described in the first episode
'I mean, that's what drew me to him, that he's really complicated,' he said.
'He seems to be one thing, but turns out to be another thing. He's a very complex guy, and those are always great roles to play.' More Trending
In real life, a U.S. federal court and a panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the Spanish claim to the contents of La Fortuna.
However, they were not returned until 2013, when a court ordered Odyssey Marine to return the coins, which totalled 14.5 tonnes.
They are now held in the National Museum of Subaquatic Archaeology in Cartagena (Murcia) for cataloguing, study and permanent display.
La Fortuna is streaming on ITVX.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
View More »
MORE: The 7 best 'explosive' Australian thrillers free to watch in UK
MORE: Star of iconic ITV sitcom addresses claim she's 'living from couch to couch'
MORE: 'Engrossing' ITV thriller from the creator of Line of Duty confirms comeback
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Chess grandmaster's glamorous wife is ‘more attracted to him' after he reaches incredible feat
The chess guru tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend earlier this year CHECK MATE Chess grandmaster's glamorous wife is 'more attracted to him' after he reaches incredible feat CHESS Grand Master Magnus Carlsen has claimed his wife now finds him MORE ATTRACTIVE after he achieved a major career milestone The 34-year-old recently made freestyle chess history by breaking the previously elusive 2900 rating. 6 Magnus Carlsen recently made freestyle chess history Credit: REX 6 The 34-year-old recently broke the previously elusive 2900 rating Credit: INSTAGRAM@ELLABANGBANG 6 And he claims his wife now finds him more attractive after breaking the record Credit: INSTAGRAM@ELLABANGBANG The Norwegian achieved the mammoth milestone in the freestyle rankings recently released by the Freestyle Chess Organisation. Carlsen is proud as punch with his achievement, although he's seemingly happier by the potential effect it'll have on his intimacy with his other half, Ella Victoria. Carslen, who is better known on the chess circuit as Fischer Chess, said: "A new standard has been set." The five-time world champion then joked: "My wife is way more attracted to me now that I've achieved 2900." READ MORE IN SPORT JEN PARTY Brooks Koepka's wife Jena Sims goes braless in see-through outfit in weird video Carlsen tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend in January in a beautiful ceremony with their friends and family. Ella has been supportive of her hubby's passion for chess from the moment they met. So much so that she's a regular at his events. Carlsen will likely soon be joined in the over-2900 club by at least three of his rivals. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 6 Ella Victoria Carlsen has been a big supporter of her hubsand's career Credit: INSTAGRAM@ELLABELLABANGBANG 6 The couple tied the knot in January Credit: REUTERS 6 They have been the picture of happiness ever since tying the knot Credit: INSTAGRAM@ELLABANGBANG American Grand Master Hikaru Nakamura currently has a rating of 2818, while Fabiano Caruana sits third on the list with 2804. Indian phenom Praggnanandhaa comes in at number four with a rating of 2773. New app creator predicts Madison Square Garden to sell out for live chess match And the top five of the prestigious rankings is rounded out by Ian Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen has been in fine form this year, winning the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam title in Paris and the 2025 Grenke Freestyle Chess Open.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Gang thugs torch scaffolding firm with links to caged kingpin Mark Richardson in latest firebomb attack
The business is said to be owned by a relative of one of the dealers blamed for using fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal 'WAR WON'T STOP' Gang thugs torch scaffolding firm with links to caged kingpin Mark Richardson in latest firebomb attack Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCAFFOLDING firm has been torched in the latest sinister firebomb attack linked to Scotland's raging gang war. RTR in Loanhead, near Edinburgh, was set alight by marauding maniacs in another late night blitz as the months-long chaos shows no sign of stopping. 4 A scaffolding firm was firebombed in another attack linked to Scotland's raging gang war Credit: The Scottish Sun 4 Forensics at the scene in Loanhead, Edinburgh Credit: The Scottish Sun 4 The business is said to be owned by a relative of one of the dealers McGill blames for using fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal Credit: The Scottish Sun 4 It is the latest in a series of attacks in the months-long feud Credit: The Scottish Sun Sources say the blaze is the latest assault by thugs working for Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill who launched a revenge campaign on rivals over claims of a drug deal gone wrong. The business is said to be owned by a relative of one of the dealers McGill blames for using fake notes in a £500,000 cocaine deal. It sparked a wave of attacks on associates of caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Daniel clan in Glasgow. It's also claimed the latest target is a pal of a hood who was slashed in Thailand over his alleged involvement in the rip off. A source said: 'This war isn't going to stop. The business is connected to one of the guys McGill blames for ripping him off. 'He is an associate of the guy who got attacked in Thailand and they are both being blamed for the fake notes scam that kicked off this whole war. 'Lots of innocent people's lives are being affected by this madness. "It's being going on for months and who knows what will happen next.' Earlier today cops were standing guard at the site and a forensic officer was seen taking pictures of the scene. A charred container could be seen from the street. Spanish cops insist hitman who executed Ross Monaghan & Eddie Lyons Jr killer WAS member of rival Daniel clan Detectives were also spotted at the industrial estate carrying out their investigation. It's understood the company employs many local people who will now be worried about their jobs. One nearby neighbour told how 'billowing smoke' could be seen out across the small town. The man, who declined to be named, said: 'I was heading home after a night out and I could smell the smoke in the taxi. 'As we got closer you could see billowing smoke right across the area. 'We arrived in town and the police were diverting traffic away from the street. 'When I got home I could smell the smoke in my home. 'RTR employs lots of local people so I hate to think what that means for these guys' jobs.' The attack comes days after we told of a video threat by a group known as Tamo Junto who are said to be acting for McGill who is calling the shots from his desert bolthole. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Police received a report of a fire at a premises on Engine Road in Loanhead around 11.50pm on Saturday, 21 June, 2025. 'Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. No-one was injured. 'The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.'
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit woman missing at sea for four days off hols hotspot island is found ALIVE after being rescued by a passing ferry
Today it emerged she had been rescued adrift by a ferry covering the Ibiza to Valencia route SAVED AT SEA Brit woman missing at sea for four days off hols hotspot island is found ALIVE after being rescued by a passing ferry Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE British woman who went missing for four days after hiring a boat on the paradise island of Formentera has been rescued alive. A major search operation was launched on Wednesday after the 39-year-old failed to return the 15-foot motor boat to the rental firm. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The British woman who went missing after hiring a boat on the paradise island of Formentera on Tuesday has been rescued alive Credit: Solarpix 2 A major search operation swung into place on Wednesday evening after the 39-year-old failed to return the 15-foot motor boat Today it emerged she had been luckily rescued adrift by a passing ferry covering the Ibiza to Valencia route. She is understood to have been transferred to hospital in Valencia to receive medical attention. Her condition this morning was not immediately clear. The rescue is said to have occurred around 5pm on Saturday. There hasn't yet been any official statement from the Civil Guard although they confirmed today the woman had been found alive. The vessel she had lost her way in, a cream-coloured Quicksilver 475 Axess with a Mercury outboard motor, has been towed to Ibiza by coastguards. Police divers had been incorporated into the search for her on Thursday after Civil Guard and Spanish coastguards helicopters and boats were mobilised. Speaking this morning a Civil Guard spokesman said: 'The British woman who vanished after hiring a boat in Formentera on Tuesday morning has been found alive.' The police force had said on Friday in its first official comments about the disappearance: 'The missing woman is a 39-year-old British national who hired the boat in the port of La Salina in Formentera on Tuesday morning. 'She was supposed to return it around 6pm on Wednesday and when she didn't her friends became worried and raised the alarm. 'From the time she was reported missing on Wednesday evening a search operation was launched which continued throughout the day yesterday. 'She hasn't been found yet nor has the boat she was on. 'The Civil Guard's Judicial Police unit has been investigating this woman's disappearance but two vessels belonging to our Maritime Unit were mobilised yesterday along with one from the specialist sub-aquatic GEAS unit. 'The officers from the Maritime Unit conduct the searches from speedboats and the GEAS are essentially diving specialists.' A police source said last week the missing woman had been living on one of the Balearic islands for around two months, although it was not immediately clear if the island is Ibiza or Formentera. A Spanish Coastguard spokeswoman said they had received an alert about the missing Brit just after 8.30pm on Wednesday and had immediately mobilised a helicopter and boat to assist in the search. Police have not yet said exactly where the woman was when she was rescued or explain how she managed to go so badly adrift. It is not clear how much experience she had at sea.
