‘Queen of the South’ Producer Mark Valadez to Lead ’80s Drama Series
Red Empire Productions, in collaboration with Organic Media Group, is set to launch a new series titled “Those Little White Lines,” with Mark Valadez at the helm as showrunner. Valadez, known for his work on “Queen of the South,” brings his expertise to this project based on an autobiographical novel by Kaz Piper, a former insider of the rock era.
The series follows a woman navigating the music industry in the 1980s, using a dual-timeline structure to showcase her journey through a world filled with substance abuse, criminal networks, and personal danger. The protagonist must learn the rules faster than those trying to control her in order to survive the excesses of the music world.
Valadez expressed his excitement for the project, stating, “What drew me to ‘Those Little White Lines’ is the same thing that drives all great crime stories — a protagonist who survives by learning the rules faster than the people trying to control her. Set inside the excess of the 1980s music world, this is a story about power, addiction, ambition, and reinvention. It’s visceral, dangerous, and deeply human — exactly the kind of character-first drama I love to make.”
The collaboration between Australia, Taiwan, and the U.S. reflects the global nature of the entertainment industry, with executive producer Steve Chicorel highlighting the international aspect of the project. Production will be based in Wollongong, Australia, with filming locations catering to both contemporary and period settings.
The series is a passion project for author Kaz Piper, who drew inspiration from her own experiences in the music industry. Piper shared, “This story comes from lived experience — the glamour, the danger, the cost of wanting too much freedom too young. For years I was told this world was too wild, too female, too honest to adapt. Seeing it reimagined as a series with this creative team feels like reclaiming my voice and finally telling the truth behind the myth of the era.”
Organic Media Group and Red Empire Productions are known for their focus on developing international content that bridges Asian and Western markets. With a team of talented individuals from various backgrounds, “Those Little White Lines” promises to deliver a powerful, character-driven story with global appeal. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new series.
