Naman Shrestha
From the minds of Heitor Dhalia, Bernardo Barcellos, and Bruno Passeri, Netflix’s ‘Rulers of Fortune’ is a Brazilian crime drama series that centers on the gambling underworld of Rio de Janeiro and the threats it poses to the gamblers. The narrative follows a young man named Profeta, who has dreams of rising through the ranks and sitting on the city’s throne. However, what he doesn’t know is that to reach the top, he must face deception and betrayal from the ones he trusts. Things get complicated further after the legalization of gambling, sending the underground crime syndicate into uproar. Originally titled ‘Os Donos do Jogo,’ the show features a talented ensemble cast comprising André Lamoglia, Xamã, Mel Maia, Giullia Buscaccio, Juliana Paes, and Chico Díaz. The story unfolds in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the city’s ties with crime and gambling.
Rulers of Fortune Filming Locations
The shooting for ‘Rulers of Fortune’ reportedly takes place in Brazil, particularly in and around Rio de Janeiro. As per reports, principal photography for the inaugural iteration of the Brazilian show got underway in January 2025 and went on for more than two months before wrapping up in April of the same year. Henrique Barreira, who portrays Santiago Fernandez, expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, “I wanted to thank each exchange, each of the team, cast and direction for putting so much heart and effort into playing this story in the world 💫Especially to @paranoid_br @heitordhalia and @manoelrangel for trusting me with Santiago and being masters of this boat. @chicodiaz_arte @julianapaes Fernandez family of my heart, of my dreams, what a privilege to share the scene and genetics with you”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
All the pivotal sequences for ‘Rulers of Fortune’ were lensed across the city of Rio de Janeiro, the capital of the eponymous Brazilian state. By shooting on location, the filming team managed to add a layer of authenticity to the narrative. From what we can tell, many of the scenes set in the casinos were seemingly taped in actual casinos situated in and around the city. It is also likely that numerous interior scenes, including a few casino portions, were recorded on sound stages in a film studio located in Rio de Janeiro.
The production team also set up camp at several of the beaches in the city to capture pivotal sequences. Moreover, in the establishing shots of Rio de Janeiro, you might be able to spot various landmarks and places of interest, including Christ the Redeemer, the Carioca Aqueduct, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, the Rio Sul Center Tower, the Ventura Corporate Towers, and more. Apart from ‘Rulers of Fortune,’ the capital city has hosted the production of many other notable films and TV shows, such as ‘City of God,’ ‘Elite Squad,’ ‘The Traitor,’ ‘A Wolf at the Door,’ ‘The Mechanism,’ and ‘City of Men.’
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