Raphael‘s life story is headed to Netflix with an eight-episode series that will release exclusively in Spain and Latin America. According to the streamer, the series — titled Aquel — began filming in June and will trace the Spanish star’s humble beginnings in Spain to his rise as a global star with a career that spans 60-plus years.
“I am deeply excited about this project, the result of more than three years of work,” the Spanish star said in a statement. “It has been months of intense scriptwriting, casting, production design and close collaboration with the directors, alongside three exceptional partners: Caracol, DLO and Netflix. Filming finally began in June, and I couldn’t be happier with the initial results. This biopic not only tells my story; it also reflects a shared history: more than six decades of a career marked by unforgettable moments — some well-known, others more intimate; some bright, others more difficult — but all deeply meaningful.”
Known for Spanish-language anthems such as “Toco Madera,” “Maravilloso, Corazón, Maravilloso” and “Escándalo” — which reached No. 2, No. 7, and No. 9, respectively, on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart — Raphael will be honored as the Latin Recording Academy’s 2025 Person of the Year in November. In 2022, the legendary artist was honored with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I have told my life story without filters, and the screenwriters have interpreted it with complete freedom,” Raphael added in the statement. “This is not a biopic that idealizes my career, but an honest, unadorned portrait that does not shy away from any aspect, no matter how complicated it may have been. For all these reasons, I believe that Aquel has a special value. I am looking forward to seeing the final result and, above all, to sharing it with all of you.”
Aquel‘s cast includes Javier Morgade and Carlos Santos in the role of Raphael throughout different life stages. The series is produced by Dlo Producciones (El jardinero, Ni una más) in association with Caracol Televisión and is directed by Tito López Amado, Javier Pulido and Beatriz Sanchís.