“O Menino Mais Rico Do Mundo” premieres on Nickelodeon

The new live-action series The Richest Boy in the World premieres on Nickelodeon this Monday (19). The production is an adaptation of João, The Richest Boy in the World, a book by Xá (Francisco Abreu). Two episodes will air daily, Monday through Friday, at 11:50 AM on Nickelodeon.

The Richest Boy in the World is a charming series that presents João’s perspective on the challenges he encounters while showing how he perceives the world and deals with obstacles. The story follows his adventures alongside his inseparable friends Tina and Gael in the peaceful Vila dos Bem-te-vis. Amid games and fun, the trio faces situations that highlight the importance of friendship, creativity, and solidarity.

Over 26 episodes, the series explores how to reframe difficulties, such as João's loss of his grandfather, and addresses important themes in a playful way. In addition to discussing book recycling, the show also delves into the recycling of love, empathy, friendship, and relationships.

Heitor Silva, Helena Bougleux, and Enzo Rosetti lead the cast of The Richest Boy in the World, bringing João, Tina, and Gael to life. They are joined by Yohana Back, Tásia d’Paula, Jully Rocha, Vinícius Domingues, Carlos Mariano, and Rai Teichimam.

Challenges in portraying João

Discussing the challenges of playing João, Heitor Silva said he didn’t find the role as difficult as expected. “I developed it as I read the script and rehearsed. I can't say it was extremely easy, nor that I memorized everything instantly. But Bete [Rodrigues] helped me a lot, we rehearsed a bit before filming, and it wasn’t as hard as I initially thought,” said the actor.

“Of course, everything I do has some level of difficulty, but I think I adapted well throughout the series,” he added.

Helena Bougleux agreed with Heitor and shared that she strongly identified with her character, which made the process easier. “Bete helped all of us, the production team supported us a lot, but for me, it wasn’t too hard because I could really relate to Tina.

When you identify with a character, it’s much easier to portray them well, right?” she said.

“I connected with Tina because she protects her friends and family, just like I do. She has a loving family, great friends, and is confident, fearless, and happy. Playing a joyful character makes everything easier,” she added.

“For me, it was an incredible experience because it was my first major role. I had never been in a series, a short film, or a feature film before, so it was a big challenge. At first, I thought I had to study like crazy, but in reality, you just need to approach it lightly. Thanks to Bete, Xá, and Rai, our teacher, everything became easier. They helped us understand how to prepare better, how to rehearse in the best way. And with such an amazing cast, it was even more enjoyable,” said Enzo Rosetti.

From book to theater to TV series

Xá shared more about the production and revealed that the story originated from a dream. “The book came from a play, and the play came from a dream I had. In my dream, I was sitting in the backseat of a car, and Bete [Rodrigues] was driving. I asked her what I should write next, and she said, ‘Go, write the truth.’”

From there, Xá began telling the story through a paper collector and later adapted it for the stage alongside Bete Rodrigues. “When it was ready, I called her, and we staged the play. Then we turned it into a book with illustrations by André Coelho, published by Terceiro Nome. At that point, the main character had already become a child, and when I saw that child, I thought, ‘This needs to become a series,’” he explained.

Determined to bring the story to television, Xá and Bete worked together to develop the project, which was produced by Na Laje Filmes. “I met with Bete, and we started shaping it as a series, giving this boy more vitality, freedom, and joy—making him truly experience childhood. That childhood where you get dirt in the creases of your skin from running and playing so much. So, we adapted it into a series, and Na Laje agreed to produce it, even amid the pandemic. That’s how the series was born. The inspiration is childhood itself—there’s no doubt about it. It’s about a happy and curious child,” he concluded.

A direction filled with care

“It was both easy and difficult,” said Bete Rodrigues about directing the production. “We had a lot of discussions, some private coaching, and rehearsals that took longer to get everything right. So, it took effort, like any TV or film project,” she explained about working with the young actors.

“There’s a repetitive, exhausting aspect to filming, but they were able to grasp what was needed. They quickly understood the direction and requirements, which made things easier. It was a pleasure to work on because there was a lot of care in how things were communicated. Even when I had to be firm, we had a very affectionate relationship—not just with them, but with the entire cast and crew,” she detailed.

“I think this production was very lucky, very blessed. I don’t recall a single day when I left set feeling frustrated. Na Laje provided great support to the team, and I believe the choices made were excellent. The result speaks for itself, and the daily work was a joy. I remember waking up at five in the morning, excited to run to the set, and never wanting the day to end,” Bete concluded, noting that she keeps the scripts as mementos.

Published on: https://poltronavip.com/o-menino-mais-rico-do-mundo-estreia-na-nickelodeon/#google_vignette, on February 15, 2025.Photo: Divulgação.