Javier Gómez Santander is a seasoned journalist and accomplished storyteller who produced the highly acclaimed Money Heist series.
Santander’s career spans key roles at renowned news outlets such as Ser and La Sexta, where he excelled as a reporter, television host, and director. Despite these commitments, he never ceased to write, contributing as a columnist for Diario Público, El Mundo, and more.
A significant milestone in Javier Santander’s career came when he served as Head Writer and Executive Producer for Money Heist. In 2018, the show became the first Spanish series to secure an International Emmy Award for Best Drama, a testament to Santander’s storytelling prowess. Broadcast across 190 countries and amassing over 44 million viewers, it stands as Netflix’s most-watched non-English language production, underscoring his impact in the entertainment industry.
Javier Santander’s journey into screenwriting began almost serendipitously. He started his novel, El crimen del vendedor de tricotosas, as a personal mental escape during a period of anxiety and depression, and harboured no ambitions for publication. However, Planeta Publishing recognised the book’s potential and acquired its rights, releasing it as novel a year later. While it did not become a commercial hit, the novel captured the attention of director Álex Pina. This encounter led to a pivotal career transition— where Pina offered Santander a screenwriting role on a new project.
In Santander’s words, “When he offered me the role of a screenwriter, I told him I didn’t know how to write scripts. ‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll teach you,’ he replied. Diving into screenwriting was stimulating for me; it felt like being 20 again, relearning everything from scratch.”
Today, Javier Sasntander is not only a celebrated filmmaker but also a sought-after keynote and event speaker who shares captivating insights into culture, entertainment, and the art of storytelling.
