First published in 1982, Happy Old Year is regarded as one of the most influential works of contemporary Brazilian literature.
Netflix has announced the development of a new original series based on Happy Old Year (Feliz Ano Velho), the landmark autobiographical novel by Brazilian author Marcelo Rubens Paiva. The production will be led by Amaia and O2 Filmes, marking another step in the streamer’s strategy of adapting acclaimed Brazilian literary works.
The announcement was made during the 24th edition of the Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP). First published in 1982, Happy Old Year is regarded as one of the most influential works of contemporary Brazilian literature. The novel recounts the accident that left Paiva quadriplegic at the age of 20 and explores themes such as disability, youth, resilience, and the transition into adulthood with humor and honesty.
“Happy Old Year is a story that, while deeply personal, speaks to a universal experience: what it means to be young. We want longtime readers to be moved by seeing it on screen while introducing a new generation to this remarkable story,” said Haná Vaisman, Director of Series at Netflix Brazil.
Marcelo Rubens Paiva welcomed the adaptation and highlighted the growing connection between Brazil’s publishing and audiovisual industries. “Happy Old Year has already been adapted for theater, as a musical, and as an opera. Now, it is finally coming to streaming. I’m excited to see, once again, one of our stories make the journey from the page to the screen,” the author said.
The series will be produced by Diane Maia of Amaia and Andrea Barata Ribeiro of O2 Filmes, who described the project as both an honor and a responsibility given the cultural significance of the novel.
Netflix has not yet announced when production will begin or when the series will premiere. The project reinforces the company’s strategy of expanding its slate of Brazilian originals based on well-known intellectual properties while continuing to invest in local stories with international appeal.
