Hidden Island: Chile’s Thrilling Sci-Fi Mystery Sets Sail Beyond Borders

When a new TV series starts stirring up excitement before it even hits the screen, you know there’s something special going on. That’s exactly the case with Hidden Island (Isla Oculta), a six-part sci-fi thriller out of Chile that’s already shaping up to be one of the country’s most globally appealing projects in recent years.

The show made a splash at the Santiago International Film Festival (Sanfic) with an exclusive screening of its first two episodes on August 18 for festival guests. Just a few days later, on August 21, the public got its first look at this mysterious, high-stakes drama that mixes crime, legend, and sci-fi into one captivating package.

A Detective, a Missing Student, and a Myth That Refuses to Die

At the heart of the series is Fabiola, played by the internationally acclaimed actress Daniela Ramírez. If her name rings a bell, it’s probably because she earned an International Emmy nomination for her powerhouse performance in HBO Max’s limited series Isabel: The Intimate Story of Isabel Allende.

This time, Ramírez steps into the shoes of a detective who reluctantly returns to her hometown in the Chiloé Archipelago. Her mission? Investigate the sudden disappearance of a Mexican archaeology student. But as she starts piecing things together, Fabiola finds herself caught in a tug-of-war between a simple kidnapping theory and a far more chilling possibility: that the case is connected to Chile’s mythical “Friendship Island.”

Now, here’s where it gets eerie. The legend of this island is not just folklore—it’s something locals whisper about with both fascination and fear. We’re talking tales of strange vanishings, miraculous healings, and even extraterrestrial encounters. Suddenly, this investigation becomes more than just police work—it’s a dive into the unknown.

The Creative Minds Driving the Mystery

The story didn’t just appear out of thin air. It’s co-written by some of the most talented names in the Latin American entertainment scene.

• Julio Rojas, the creative brain behind the hit podcast Case 63

• Felipe Carmona, known for Prison in the Andes

• Juan M. Dartizio, who worked on An Unknown Enemy

And if that wasn’t enough star power, all six episodes are directed by Rodrigo Susarte (Gen Mishima, Invunche).

But what really pulled everything together is showrunner Pablo Díaz del Río of Rio Estudios. The seeds of Hidden Island were planted nearly six years ago, when Díaz was pitched multiple story ideas centered around the myth of Friendship Island. The version he chose came from cinematographer Mauro Veloso, a close friend who saw the island’s cinematic potential. That choice launched what would become one of Chile’s most ambitious TV productions.

A Producer With Salt in His Veins

Here’s a fun twist: Díaz isn’t just a producer; he’s also a seasoned sailor. His fascination with the myth ran so deep that he and a group of friends once tried to track down the legendary island themselves. Their voyage took them to Kent Island, a desolate spot with coordinates similar to the mythical site.

What happened next sounds straight out of a sci-fi screenplay:

• It took them four days to reach the location.

• They spotted a mysterious figure dressed in white on what was supposed to be an uninhabited island.

• And then, almost on cue, the engine of their brand-new boat broke down without explanation.

No aliens revealed themselves that day, but the unsettling experience only deepened Díaz’s conviction that the story was worth telling.

Leaning Into the Sci-Fi Element

When screenwriter Julio Rojas first joined the project, he made a bold statement in the writers’ room:

“You’re holding back too much. This legend is rooted in extraterrestrial life. If you don’t address it openly, the audience is going to feel cheated.”

That nudge changed everything.

Up until then, the creative team had been careful not to overplay the sci-fi angle, fearing it would tip the story into cliché. But Rojas pushed them to embrace the unknown—whether that meant aliens, other dimensions, or even a form of existence after death. The result? A narrative that balances mystery with existential questions, avoiding tired tropes while still leaning into the wow factor sci-fi fans crave.

As Díaz himself put it:

• “We didn’t want to mimic big-budget movies like Arrival or Interstellar, but we wanted our own philosophical take.”

• “We ended up with a story that’s both grounded and otherworldly—a thriller with existential weight.”

Shooting the Impossible

Turning a legend into TV gold isn’t easy. Production began in Chile’s Los Ríos region in October, and the cast and crew spent nine weeks braving harsh weather, freezing nights, and endless rain.

To pull off the show’s more complex scenes, interiors were filmed at Rio Studios, which houses two sound stages totaling over 7,500 square feet. The studio is also building a custom underwater filming tank—13 feet deep—to expand the range of what they can shoot in future projects.

Clearly, this is not just about telling a story; it’s about building the infrastructure for Chilean TV to compete internationally.

Looking Ahead: Season 2 and Beyond

Hidden Island doesn’t intend to be a one-and-done series. Díaz has already teased that a second season will jump forward in time to the year 2028, with themes that touch on artificial intelligence and humanity’s future.

And here’s where things get even juicier: while Season 1 is firmly rooted in Chile, the next chapter may head north. Producers are eyeing Mexico’s mysterious Isla Vermeja as the new setting, which ties perfectly into the cross-border intrigue introduced in the first season.

A Truly International Effort

This isn’t just a Chilean production; it’s a collaboration on a global scale.

• Backing comes from state-run agencies CNTV and Corfo.

• The show is co-produced by Filmo Estudios, the same VFX powerhouse behind Pablo Larraín’s El Conde and Maite Alberdi’s Oscar-nominated The Eternal Memory.

• Paramount-owned Chilevisión will air the series locally.

• Miami-based MGE, run by Esperanza Garay, has joined as another co-producer.

And with international distributors already being courted, it’s only a matter of time before Hidden Island lands on a streaming platform near you.

Why This Show Matters

What makes Hidden Island stand out isn’t just its thrilling premise. It’s the fact that it pushes Latin American storytelling into new terrain—where folklore collides with modern existential fears, and where local legends are reimagined for a global audience.

• It’s a detective story with a sci-fi twist.

• It’s a myth brought to life with cinematic flair.

• It’s a philosophical exploration that dares to ask big questions about life, death, and what lies beyond.

For audiences hungry for something fresh, this show could be the next big international hit.

Final Take

If you’re into mysteries that bend reality, characters who carry emotional weight, and stories that leave you questioning what’s possible, then Hidden Island is definitely worth keeping on your radar.

It’s not just a series about a missing student or an elusive island. It’s about humanity, belief, and the spaces between science and legend. And most importantly—it’s proof that Chilean storytelling is ready to take its place on the world stage.

✅ Exciting Elements Highlighted:

• A detective’s search linked to extraterrestrial legends

• Real-life eerie expedition by the producer

• Themes of AI, existence, and humanity’s future

• Cross-cultural collaboration with global ambitions