A Substack TV Series

A New Way to Experience Fiction on Substack

I’ve been exploring ways to weave storytelling into the cultural themes we discuss here on Born Without Borders. Now, I’m taking it a step further: I want to use this space to share Expats: Los Guiris, a series that explores the tensions and contradictions of global expatriate life and the extremes to which we go to belong.

Season one begins in the overlooked coastal town of Castellón, where a mismatched group of expats and locals have gathered to escape or find themselves. But their fragile social bubble is ruptured when Noe, a troubled young woman, goes missing. The dysfunctional group of expats and locals set out on an impulsive road trip across Spain to find her, each with their own secrets, motives, and growing doubts about whether she wants to be found at all.

Instead of presenting it as a traditional script, I’m reimagining it for Substack in a way that combines storytelling with interactive, genre-bending, form-disrupting elements.

How It Could Work:

1. Serialized Storytelling

I’d release Expats: Los Guiris as a series of episodes, delivering bite-sized chapters that keep you hooked. Each post would reveal a pivotal moment or key character arc, creating a sense of suspense and connection to the unfolding drama.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Insights

I’ll share the creative process behind the story: how I developed the characters, built the world, and wove in cultural and psychological themes.

3. Cultural and Psychological Deep Dives

Each episode could be paired with an article exploring a real-world topic inspired by the story, such as sociopolitical issues about Spain, cultural psychology, and interviews with locals.

4. Interactive Elements

To make this project collaborative, I’d include polls, questions, and opportunities for you to shape aspects of the story. For example, you could help decide a character’s fate, vote on key plot decisions, or collaborate on an episode—maybe some of these characters come to visit the town you’re living in, or you want to write a spin-off series Expats: Los Gringos, Expats: The Dutch, Expats: Bali in Digital, and so on.

6. A Real Pitch for a Real Series

Beyond storytelling, I’ll frame Expats: Los Guiris as a pitch for a real series, complete with visuals, mood boards, and episode outlines. This could attract interest from producers while giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how a series is brought to life.

7. Collaborations with Industry Experts (You)

Finally, I’d bring in guest contributors, such as film producers, writers, and fellow nomads. This could provide fresh perspectives and enrich the experience for all of us.

What Do You Think?

I’m excited about this project, but I want to make sure it resonates with you. Your feedback will shape how I bring Expats: Los Guiris to life on Substack. Please take a moment to answer the questions above or let me know what you think in the comments.

If this idea excites you, let me know. If you have any other suggestions for how to present it, I’d love to hear them!