The work of Thalita Rebouças, one of Brazil’s most commercially successful authors, has been widely adapted for the stage and resulted in several hits on the big screen, including “Confessions of an Invisible Girl” and “Everything for a Popstar.” In a career spanning a quarter of a century, however, it is only now that the author has turned her attention to television, penning the original series “Single Together” for Globoplay.
“Single Together” focuses on a group of four women over 40 who develop a great friendship after experiencing a romantic separation later in life. Starring Sheron Menezzes, Natália Lage, Luciana Paes and Débora Lamm in the main roles, the series also features high-profile Brazilian talent, including Bruno Mazzeo (“Did You Score?”), Mateus Solano (“Trail of Lies) and Lucas Leto (“Anything Goes”).
The series spearheads Globo’s line-up at this year’s Series Mania alongside fellow Globoplay originals “Blood Red Under the Moonlight” and “Perfect Days,” two wildly different genre offerings that showcase the strength of Brazil’s biggest streamer. “Perfect Days” also solidifies the streamer’s sharp eye for turning best-sellers into equally successful on-screen adaptations, having been adapted from Raphael Montes’s eponymous literary sensation.
In a statement ahead of the French fete, Rodrigo Nascimento, head of business development and sales, EMEA at Grupo Globo, said the major company will bring “a diverse portfolio with strong potential to spark conversations and foster strategic partnerships” to Series Mania. “These are contents that address contemporary themes, reflect audience transformations, and demonstrate a high capacity to engage multigenerational audiences. Participating in this event represents an opportunity to present to the market the full creative strength and excellence of Globoplay Originals, which establishes Globo as a benchmark in the creation of premium series.”
Speaking with Variety, Rebouças says she has “always wanted to work on a series.” “I am an avid consumer of series. I love watching them, especially ones like mine that have shorter episodes. When I started writing ‘Together and Apart,’ I thought it would be a book inspired by my real-life friends. Then, when I finally stopped to write, I told myself this would be my first series. I followed my instincts, which I’m very happy about.”
The cast of “Single Together” with author Thalita Rebouças, courtesy of Laura Campanella
“Single Together” is inspired by Rebouças own separation later in life, a process that introduced her to a new group of female friends who had all gone through a similar experience and helped each other navigate a little spoken rite of passage. Prodded as if she felt any reservations about exposing her vulnerabilities with wider audiences, the author was categorical in saying she felt “no shame whatsoever.”
“I think art is a way for us to understand ourselves better,” she adds. “This is something I’ve done with [my work geared at] teenagers for years: allowing them to look at themselves with more tenderness. It’s something I like doing for women because I feel we have a tendency to look down on ourselves. The series is a hug for all women.”
Rebouças emphasizes she feels the series is a “public service announcement” in how it broaches little-discussed aspects of ageing as a woman. “I have always turned humor and pain into art, throughout my whole career, so it felt very important to talk about ageing with a lightheartedness. I have no issues talking about greying pubes, vaginal dryness… These are things every woman goes through, but that we don’t talk about. I think it’s so great that we get to talk about such things in a format that is seen by so many people. I’ve been getting such great feedback.”
The author also notes how rare it is to see women after 40 on screen in Brazilian television, especially well-rounded characters speaking about vital issues pertaining to womanhood. “We don’t see ourselves on TV anymore,” she says. “It is all about young people, which is odd because I have never been happier. Maturity is not just about the annoyances like a lack of collagen; it’s also about a certain plenitude. You’re free to do whatever you want without judgment. Maturity is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been through and many people call it an end. It’s not an end, it’s a new beginning.”
To Rebouças, this specific focus on an underserved audience grants “Single and Together” great international potential. “I think it’s an absolutely international series because it broaches an international subject. Everyone has been through a breakup, and experiencing a separation after 40 comes with very particular fears and insecurities.”
“I am very proud of the series and hope lots of people buy it internationally because it’s such a great show,” she light-heartedly adds with a laugh.
Lastly, Rebouças demonstrates her gratitude for two key partners in Globoplay and leading Brazilian production banner Conspiração. “Globoplay has been a great partner for quite some time. Our marriage is great and the company is a delight to work for. I’m so glad they’re bringing the show to Series Mania. I couldn’t be more grateful to Globo and Conspiração because they have made my dream of working on a series come true.”
“SIngle Together” is produced by Conspiração Filmes for Globoplay.
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