NOBODY KNOWS

(the Spanish I speak)

The Show

Logline: A couple's dream of finding their bliss in Mexico turns to chaos when they move in with her ex-Marine father and find not only an ice-cold house but enough scorpions to make them question their life choices.

Show Description: Nobody Knows (the Spanish I speak) is a single-camera comedy that follows Marty and Adele, two Gen-X professionals who abandon their comfortable Portland life to pursue their dreams in Mexico, only to discover that paradise comes with a steep learning curve. When tech layoffs force them to reconsider their priorities, they accept an offer from Adele's cantankerous ex-Marine father Charlie to live in his "free hacienda" in Mexico. What they find is a rental ice house, a secret family, and a community of expats who speak Spanish about as well as they do—which is to say, not at all. The series combines the fish-out-of-water comedy of culture clash with the heartwarming dynamics of chosen family, all told through dueling narrators who can't agree on whose story it really is. Set against the vibrant backdrop of an expat community in Mexico, the show explores themes of reinvention, family secrets, and the universal truth that sometimes the best adventures happen when everything goes wrong.

Main Characters

Marty (40s)

Marty is an anxious architect whose need for control and preparation makes him spectacularly unsuited for the chaos of expat life in Mexico. His relationship with his father-in-law Charlie brings out his worst insecurities while his devotion to Adele drives him to attempt heroic feats of adaptation that usually end in disaster. Marty's character arc involves learning to embrace uncertainty while discovering that his careful, methodical nature actually makes him valuable in their new community. His terrible Spanish and tendency to catastrophize every situation provide consistent comedy while his genuine desire to make their new life work anchors the show's emotional core. His fear of omens and scorpions becomes a running gag that reflects his larger anxiety about taking risks and leaving his comfort zone.

Adele (40s)

Adele serves as the eternal optimist whose "Pollyanna syndrome" allows her to find silver linings in even the most challenging situations. Her directional impairment and tendency to categorize their experiences as either "Good Mexico" or "Bad Mexico" days reveals her coping mechanisms for dealing with constant uncertainty. As the peacekeeper between her husband and father, Adele often finds herself torn between loyalty to both men while pursuing her own dreams of writing about food and culture. Her character development focuses on learning to prioritize her own needs while maintaining her naturally generous spirit. Her relationship with Isabella and integration into the local community provides opportunities for growth and self-discovery that go beyond her traditional roles as wife and daughter.

Charlie (60s)

Charlie is a retired Marine whose gruff exterior and military precision clash hilariously with the laid-back Mexican lifestyle he's supposedly embraced. His secret relationship with Isabella and his hidden family create ongoing tension while his competitive dynamic with Marty drives much of the show's conflict. Charlie's character combines the stereotype of the overbearing military father with genuine vulnerability and unexpected depth. His refusal to learn Spanish while conducting a romance with a Spanish-speaking woman creates comedy while his protective instincts toward both his daughters reveal his softer side. His four-volume autobiography project and his tendency to quote military strategy in domestic situations provide consistent character moments that balance comedy with genuine emotion.

Supporting Characters

Isabella (30s-40s)

Isabella is the gorgeous, wealthy landlord who lives in the hacienda behind Marty and Adele's rental house. Her refusal to speak English despite being perfectly capable creates both comedic situations and character development opportunities. Her secret relationship with Charlie adds romantic tension while her mysterious past and questions about her late husband provide ongoing intrigue. Isabella represents the sophisticated Mexican culture that the Americans are trying to understand while serving as a bridge between the expat community and local traditions. Her pride and stubbornness create conflict while her genuine warmth and hospitality demonstrate the welcoming nature of their new community.

Selina (16)

Selina serves as the universal translator for everyone in the community, but her selective interpretation of conversations allows her to manipulate situations for her own amusement. Her rebellious teenager attitude combined with her bilingual skills makes her both invaluable and occasionally problematic for the adults around her. Her character provides the Gen-Z perspective on the adults' attempts at cultural adaptation while her relationship with both her mother and Charlie creates complex family dynamics. Her ability to move between cultures effortlessly contrasts with the adults' struggles and provides opportunities for both comedy and wisdom.

Cassie (Standard Poodle)

Cassie is the bladder-challenged poodle whose need to ride standing up with her head out the window creates ongoing travel complications. Her refined sensibilities clash with the rustic Mexican environment while her loyalty to Marty and Adele provides emotional stability. Her interactions with the local environment and her prissy behavior in primitive conditions create physical comedy while her presence connects the characters to their Portland life.

Sadie (Siamese Cat)

Sadie is the "devil cat" whose sharp claws and bad attitude create chaos wherever she goes. Her ability to deflate air mattresses and attack unsuspecting visitors provides slapstick comedy while her presence reminds everyone that some things about their new life are genuinely challenging. Her relationship with Charlie, particularly her scratching attack in the pilot, establishes her as a force of nature that everyone must learn to accommodate.

Themes

Nobody Knows explores the theme of reinvention and the courage required to start over in midlife. Marty and Adele's journey from comfortable professionals to struggling expats reflects the universal desire to find meaning and purpose beyond traditional career success. The show suggests that true fulfillment often requires abandoning security and embracing uncertainty, while acknowledging that the process is rarely as smooth or romantic as we imagine.

The series also examines the complexity of family relationships, particularly how geographic distance and cultural differences can both strain and strengthen family bonds. Charlie's secret family and his relationship with Isabella demonstrate that family takes many forms, while his dynamic with Marty explores the challenges of accepting in-laws and building relationships across generational and cultural divides.

Cultural adaptation and the humility required to learn new ways of living provide another central theme. The characters' struggles with Spanish, local customs, and basic survival skills highlight the American tendency to assume cultural superiority while celebrating the growth that comes from admitting ignorance and accepting help from others.

Tone

The series maintains a warm, optimistic tone that finds humor in everyday frustrations while celebrating the resilience and adaptability of its characters. The dueling narrators create a unique comedic device that allows for multiple perspectives on the same events while highlighting the subjective nature of experience. The show's comedy comes from character-driven situations rather than mean-spirited cultural stereotypes, creating laughs that bring people together rather than divide them.

The Mexican setting provides opportunities for visual comedy and cultural education without exoticizing or patronizing the local culture. The series treats both American and Mexican characters with equal respect while acknowledging the genuine challenges and rewards of cross-cultural living. The tone remains consistently hopeful, suggesting that most problems can be solved with patience, humor, and willingness to ask for help.

The World

The series takes place in a vibrant expat community in Mexico where Americans and Canadians mix with locals in a cash-based economy governed by the principle of "más o menos" (more or less). The primary locations include Charlie's rental house, Isabella's hacienda, and Gill's store, which serves as the community gathering place like Cheers or Central Perk. The store is so crammed with merchandise that "the cockroaches have to stand," providing a perfect metaphor for the density and complexity of their new environment.

The world is populated by a diverse cast of characters representing different generations and cultures, from retired American expats to young Mexican entrepreneurs to seasoned locals who have seen generations of foreigners come and go. The community operates on relationships rather than institutions, where personal connections matter more than official procedures and where patience and persistence are more valuable than efficiency.

Pilot Episode

The pilot establishes the world and characters while setting up the central conflicts that will drive the series. The episode begins with Marty's pratfall in their Portland condo, immediately establishing the physical comedy and character dynamics that will define the show. The journey to Mexico provides opportunities for road trip comedy while building anticipation for their destination.

The revelation of Charlie's secret family and the true nature of their "free hacienda" creates the central conflict that will drive future episodes while establishing the show's theme about family secrets and the complexity of human relationships. The pilot ends with the family choosing to stay together despite the deception, setting up the premise for ongoing adventures and relationship development.

Series Arc

The first season focuses on Marty and Adele's adjustment to Mexican life while exploring Charlie's relationship with Isabella and his integration into their expanded family. Each episode presents new challenges that test their adaptability while building relationships with their neighbors and local community. The season arc involves learning to navigate practical challenges like car repairs, medical emergencies, and bureaucratic procedures while developing deeper understanding of Mexican culture and their place within it.

The second season expands the world to include more of the local community while exploring Adele's passion for food writing and Marty's architectural projects. The characters become more integrated into local life while maintaining their outsider perspective that provides comedy and insight. The season explores themes of belonging and identity as the characters decide whether Mexico is truly their home or just an extended vacation.

Future seasons could explore the characters' evolution from tourists to residents to community members, with storylines involving local politics, business ventures, and deeper integration into Mexican society. The series has natural endpoints that allow for character growth while maintaining the core relationships and setting that define the show.

Episode Structure

Each episode typically features an A-story focusing on a specific challenge or cultural misunderstanding, a B-story exploring relationships within the community, and a C-story involving the ongoing development of Charlie's secret family situation. The structure allows for both episodic accessibility and serialized character development while maintaining the show's focus on community and relationships.

The episodes blend physical comedy with character-driven humor, using the characters' struggles with language, technology, and cultural differences to create situations that are both funny and relatable. The show's commitment to authenticity ensures that the comedy comes from genuine cultural differences rather than stereotypes or caricatures.

Visual Style and Setting

The series takes advantage of Mexico's visual richness, from the colorful markets and colonial architecture to the dramatic landscapes and vibrant street life. The contrast between the characters' expectations and reality provides opportunities for both comedy and beauty, while the authentic locations ground the show in genuine Mexican culture.

The production design emphasizes the handmade, improvised quality of expat life, where nothing works exactly as expected and everything requires creative solutions. The costumes and props reflect the characters' attempts to maintain their American identities while adapting to their new environment, creating visual comedy through the clash between their expectations and reality.

Why This Series

Nobody Knows fills a unique niche in television comedy by exploring the expat experience with authenticity and heart. The series offers a fresh perspective on both American and Mexican culture while providing representation for the growing number of Americans living abroad. The show's focus on midlife reinvention makes it particularly relevant for viewers questioning their own life choices and wondering if it's ever too late to start over.

The series' optimistic tone and emphasis on community makes it appealing to viewers seeking feel-good content that celebrates human resilience and adaptability. The cultural education aspect provides value beyond entertainment while the universal themes of family, friendship, and personal growth create broad appeal across demographics.

Most importantly, Nobody Knows demonstrates that comedy can bridge cultural divides and create understanding between different communities. The show suggests that laughter is indeed a universal language and that most human experiences are more similar than different, regardless of geography or culture.

Season One Episodes

Episode 2: "Mi Casa es Mi Casa" - Isabella has Marty and Adele over for dinner. Her hacienda behind them is amazing. Adele questions how Isabella's husband died - the question is ignored, along with all the questions that Adele has about Isabella's 3-year-old daughter. Selina translates for Isabella, but Marty begins to suspect she's not telling them exactly what Isabella is saying. His Spanish lessons are starting to pay off. But the food is amazing! Adele and Isabella find some common ground.

Episode 3: "Stuff is Only Stuff" - Marty becomes obsessive about their shipment of goods from Portland. Adele begins the long process of tracking their container, and both are relieved to find that it is in Mexico but stuck in customs. To bribe or not to bribe, that is the question. After it finally arrives, Marty runs the microwave and shuts down power for the entire street.

Episode 4: "Car Trouble and Jesus" - After the Audi started overheating and burning oil, Marty can't drive the car for more than ten minutes without the radiator erupting in steam and the idiot lights going crazy. All is lost until he finds Jesus the mechanic, but does he wait or pray?

Episode 5: "Fireworks and Festivals" - Mexican celebrations unite pagan and Catholic symbols and rites into an amazing wee-hours-of-the-morning display of fireworks, tradition, dance, faith, and tamales, and the partying isn't over in a single night. Do they join in, or buy better earplugs?

Episode 6: "Parasites and Monsters" - When six-inch worms suddenly appear in bowel movements, Marty searches for Loch Ness Monsters of the toilet bowl and finally agrees to go to the doctor, but how does he explain his problems with his limited Spanish?