In December 2025, Netflix audiences will be drawn into the shadowy heart of Barcelona with City of Shadows, a haunting new Spanish thriller that’s already generating massive buzz across Europe.
The six-episode limited series stars Isak Férriz (Burning Body, Below Zero) and Verónica Echegui (Intimacy, Three Days of Christmas) in one of her final roles before her untimely passing in August 2025. With emotionally charged performances, cinematic direction, and an exploration of the blurred line between justice and vengeance, City of Shadows could become one of Netflix’s standout international dramas of the year.
As director Jorge Torregrossa describes, “City of Shadows is not just a crime story — it’s a mirror of the human soul, where light and darkness coexist.”
Overview of City of Shadows (2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | City of Shadows |
| Type | Netflix Original Thriller Series |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Director | Jorge Torregrossa (Intimacy, Fariña) |
| Writers | Carlos López, Clara Esparrach |
| Production Studio | Arcadia Motion Pictures |
| Main Cast | Isak Férriz, Verónica Echegui, Ana Wagener, Manolo Solo, Jordi Ballester |
| Number of Episodes | 6 |
| Runtime | Approx. 50–55 minutes per episode (TBC) |
| Filming Locations | Barcelona, Catalonia |
| Language | Spanish (with subtitles and dubbing options) |
| Netflix Release Date | December 12, 2025 |
| Global Availability | Yes, streaming worldwide |
Plot Overview: The Darkness Beneath Barcelona
City of Shadows follows Inspector Milo Malart (Isak Férriz), a brooding investigator haunted by the trauma of his past, and Deputy Inspector Rebecca Garrido (Verónica Echegui), a sharp, intuitive detective with secrets of her own. Together, they’re thrust into a chilling case that begins with a series of ritualistic murders across Barcelona.
Each crime scene is more disturbing than the last — marked by cryptic symbols and a pattern that suggests the killer is playing a psychological game with the investigators themselves.
As Malart and Garrido dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption, betrayal, and moral conflict that forces them to question not only their profession but their own humanity.
According to screenwriter Carlos López, “The series is less about solving a crime and more about confronting what drives people to darkness — fear, guilt, and love.”
Key Features & Themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Psychological Depth | Focuses on emotional trauma and moral ambiguity rather than procedural investigation. |
| Cinematic Visuals | Barcelona’s gothic architecture and neon-lit streets play a symbolic role, creating an atmosphere of tension and beauty. |
| Character Duality | The bond between Malart and Garrido blurs professional and emotional boundaries. |
| Social Commentary | Explores justice, institutional decay, and gender dynamics in law enforcement. |
| Emotional Impact | Verónica Echegui’s final performance delivers a powerful and haunting resonance. |
Cast and Characters
- Isak Férriz (Infiesto, Burning Body) stars as Inspector Milo Malart, a tormented but brilliant detective struggling with the ghosts of his past.
- Verónica Echegui (Intimacy, Unknown Origins) plays Deputy Inspector Rebecca Garrido, a fearless investigator whose intuition and emotional intelligence drive the investigation forward.
- Ana Wagener (The Innocent) portrays Chief Alba Miró, the pragmatic yet morally conflicted police chief.
- Manolo Solo (The Fury of a Patient Man) plays Dr. Luis Serrat, a forensic psychologist entangled in the investigation.
- Jordi Ballester (Perdida) appears as Comisario Torres, a senior officer whose loyalty is tested as secrets unravel.
“Verónica Echegui brings an emotional intensity that few can match,” said producer Clara Esparrach. “Her portrayal of Rebecca is raw, vulnerable, and unforgettable — a fitting legacy for her extraordinary career.”
Filming and Production
Filming for City of Shadows took place throughout Catalonia, with principal photography centered in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and the industrial outskirts of L’Hospitalet. Director Jorge Torregrossa and cinematographer Álvaro Gutiérrez used natural lighting and hand-held camera techniques to create a gritty, immersive realism.
According to insiders from Arcadia Motion Pictures, production wrapped in July 2025, after nearly five months of shooting. Post-production included colour grading that emphasized “amber and charcoal tones” — representing the moral duality of its characters.
Release Schedule and Format
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 12, 2025 |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix (Global) |
| Episodes | 6 |
| Language Options | Spanish (original), English, French, German, Italian (dubbed) |
| Subtitles | Available in 30+ languages |
| Genre Classification | Psychological Thriller / Crime / Drama |
The series will drop all six episodes simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge-watch the story — a common format for Netflix’s high-profile European thrillers like Money Heist and Burning Body.
Why City of Shadows Is One of 2025’s Most Anticipated Series?
With Spain’s film industry flourishing under Netflix’s international strategy, City of Shadows is poised to join the ranks of global hits like Elite, Berlin, and Infiesto.
But beyond its thriller appeal, it carries emotional weight as Verónica Echegui’s final screen performance. Following her passing in August 2025, Netflix is expected to include a tribute message in the closing episode — honoring her legacy as one of Spain’s most dynamic actresses.
Film critic Raúl Cebrián called the project “a haunting, atmospheric journey that doubles as both a love letter to Barcelona and a requiem for Echegui’s artistry.”
The show’s narrative is expected to balance police procedural intensity with poetic realism — echoing works like True Detective and The Killing while maintaining a distinctly European tone.
Comparison with Other Spanish Netflix Thrillers
| Series | Release Year | Genre Focus | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burning Body | 2023 | True Crime / Drama | Based on real events in Barcelona |
| Infiesto | 2023 | Crime / Mystery | Pandemic-set investigation |
| Muted | 2024 | Psychological Thriller | Exploration of trauma and identity |
| City of Shadows | 2025 | Neo-Noir / Psychological Crime | Character-driven moral mystery |
Unlike its predecessors, City of Shadows focuses less on procedural pacing and more on the inner collapse of its protagonists — a hallmark of director Torregrossa’s storytelling style.
Recent Updates and Tributes
Netflix Spain officially confirmed the release date — December 12, 2025 — via a social media teaser showing a shadowed skyline of Barcelona with the tagline: “Every light casts a shadow.”
Following Verónica Echegui’s death, the series has gained profound symbolic meaning. According to Ana Wagener, who plays Chief Miró, “We finished filming just weeks before she passed. Watching her perform was like witnessing lightning — brief, powerful, unforgettable.”
Why City of Shadows Matters?
The series isn’t just another thriller — it’s a testament to the evolution of Spanish storytelling in global cinema. It blends social critique, emotional depth, and noir aesthetics while confronting universal questions about justice and morality.
As Europe’s streaming market grows, City of Shadows represents a new wave of prestige Spanish drama — one that competes on equal footing with Hollywood productions while maintaining its cultural authenticity.
FAQs
The series premieres globally on December 12, 2025.
There will be six episodes, each around 50 minutes long.
City of Shadows is a psychological thriller with neo-noir elements, focusing on crime, trauma, and moral conflict.
The series features Isak Férriz and Verónica Echegui, along with Ana Wagener, Manolo Solo, and Jordi Ballester
Filming took place across Barcelona and Catalonia, capturing both its beauty and darkness.
Yes. Netflix is expected to dedicate the final episode to her memory.
