Can Yaman Shoots First Spanish Series in Tenerife

International star Can Yaman has been spotted across Tenerife for several weeks. He is on the island to film his first Spanish-produced series, El laberinto de las mariposas (The Butterfly Labyrinth), a Secuoya Studios production that is now halfway through filming in the Canary Islands. Locations like the Granadilla de Abona port, Santa Cruz de Tenerife's Plaza de España, and streets in Puerto de la Cruz and Adeje are being used to create the eight episodes. The series promises a mix of betrayals, espionage, and a developing love story.

Yaman, a Turkish actor, stars alongside Spanish performers such as María de Nati, Andrea Duro, Félix Gómez, Paco Tous, Víctor Clavijo, and Jorge Suquet. The story follows a secret agent with a perfect record who is betrayed and becomes Spain's most wanted man. As he fights to clear his name and expose those planning a huge robbery of state money, he learns that love could be either his biggest weakness or his only hope.

Directors Alberto Ruiz Rojo and Iñaki Peñafiel are leading the series. Ruiz Rojo praised the "powerful cast" and mentioned that filming will continue in Tenerife until late December. He added that the series is packed with action, and Yaman's character, a secret agent on a mission, finds love becoming a new challenge.

Both directors have worked on many projects separately – Ruiz Rojo directed Montecristo (also in Tenerife), and Peñafiel led El tiempo entre costuras (The Time in Between), among others. However, they've also collaborated on various recordings before, which helps them create a shared story for this series, even with their individual styles. This joint leadership allows them to film in two different locations at the same time using two separate crews.

Having previously filmed Montecristo and La templanza (The Temperance) in Tenerife, Ruiz Rojo highlighted the island's many advantages for film and TV. He noted, "In a very small area, we have very different things; we have city, beach, forest, the port... And all of that creates very interesting landscapes, with attractive and powerful images." Carlos Baeza, the series' production director, selected locations in Puerto de la Cruz, Granadilla de Abona, Adeje, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The entire production will take 16 weeks to film, with seven weeks spent in Tenerife. The remaining filming will move to Madrid starting in 2026.

The port facilities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are crucial to the story, according to the Secuoya Studios team, who chose Tenerife for many outdoor scenes. Production director Carlos Baeza admitted that filming can sometimes inconvenience residents. However, he noted that after many recent productions in Tenerife, "we have found a very good disposition, and we have not had any complaints." He added, "Everything we have encountered has been help, collaboration, and empathy with the project, so we are delighted to be here." Baeza made these comments on Monday, December 1, during a break from filming at the old Philip Morris tobacco factory in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Can Yaman, the lead actor, has contributed to this positive atmosphere. He's often been seen around the island, pleasing fans by being very approachable for photos and autographs. Director Ruiz Rojo called his presence "a revolution" and appreciated the warm reception during filming.

Carlos Baeza described the series as a "romantic thriller," a term used by the executive producers. Primarily, it's an adventure story starring Yaman as a secret agent who navigates various work challenges while also managing his personal life after meeting a woman.

The Canary Islands are important to this project not just as a filming location, but also because many islanders are involved. The cast includes Tenerife actress Michelle Calvó and other local actors in smaller parts. The technical crew also features many professionals from Tenerife and other Canary Islands.