Historical drama is currently one of the most popular genres of television series, with offerings like Game of Thrones and Vikings sparking a surge in its popularity. Now, television developers are scrambling to think of a period that could be adapted next.
The Aztec era hasn’t been represented much on television yet, but there are indications that its popularity is growing. It could be the perfect time to bring the Aztec books from Gary Jennings to life on the small screen.
Interest in Aztecs Growing in Popular Culture
Certain periods of history have been represented more often than others in popular culture, with Ancient Egypt and Greece up there with the most popular. The Aztecs haven’t been as prevalent, but there are indications that this could be set to change.
For example, Temple Tumble is one of the most popular slots in the booming online casino market and has been since 2019. The game takes players on an adventure through Aztec temples with a stunning South American jungle backdrop. It’s clear that many players are interested in discovering more about this period and enjoy being immersed in this world.
There have been a few other offerings that have given people a taste of Aztec culture as well. Civilization VI offered the Aztecs as playable characters, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider used a storyline and environments heavily influenced by Mesoamerican cultures.
Despite the interest in Aztec culture growing in the gaming market, there haven’t been many television programmes or films related to the era. There’s clearly a gap in the market, and streaming services could easily capitalise on the space for more Aztec content.
Plenty of Offerings in the Series
Adapting existing books has proven to be a winning formula in the streaming market. There are various titles based on Aztec times, and Gary Jennings’ Aztec (1980) and Aztec Autumn (1997) series could be a great option to bring to the small screen.
After Jennings passed away, other authors continued his work with four further offerings in the series. These were Aztec Blood in 2002, Aztec Rage in 2006, Aztec Fire in 2008, and Aztec Revenge in 2012. With this vast array of content, there’s a lot for television developers to work from.
The Aztec series begins in 1529 from the perspective of the Bishop of the See of New Spain. He’s tasked by the king to gather information about the indigenous people and their culture. It’s a fictional title, but it also incorporates a lot of historical facts. This gives readers an interesting plot to follow, with the chance to learn a lot about the Aztec era. This historicity, combined with the immersive world of Mesoamerican cultures seen in games, could make for compelling viewing on-screen.
Some of the best series of recent years have been adapted from book series. Game of Thrones and The Witcher are a couple of examples that an Aztec series could seek to replicate. With multiple novels to work from, there’s the potential for longevity if a streaming service opts to adapt them.
