Sofia Vergara is back on screen, and this time she takes on a leading role in one of Netflix‘s most anticipated series: Griselda. Not only did it launch just hours ago, but it has already become a global trend.
The Modern Family actress portrays the life of a Colombian drug trafficker known as “la viuda negra” (Black Widow). This dramatic biographical miniseries is created by Carlo Bernard, Ingrid Escajeda and Doug Miro.
This trio was also responsible for the successful “Narcos” with Pedro Pascal and Juan Murcia, which received three Primetime Emmy nominations. Now, stories of crime and the cartel are back with the new six-episode show.
Griselda ranked as the No. 1 series on Netflix
Griselda is the newest original Netflix series that not only boasts a star-studded cast but also tells one of the most intriguing stories related to the cartel and crime. With a total of six episodes, the show has become the most-watched series globally and in the United States, according to Flix Patrol.
Christian Tappan and Sofia Vergara in Griselda. (Source: IMDb)
Sofia Vergara brings the main character, Griselda Blanco, to life. The plot provides a more intimate perspective of the devoted mother who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. Her lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her adeptly navigate between family and business.
The widely known “Black Widow” earned her nickname after moving to New York and being implicated as the mastermind behind the murders of two of her partners, one of them being the father of her youngest son. Despite the series being available for only a few hours, controversies quickly arose.
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The lead actress, along with the team that created the miniseries, was sued by Michael Corleone (yes, named after The Godfather), Blanco’s youngest son. On January 12, he gave an interview to The W, claiming that Netflix had improperly used photographs, accounts, and other materials without providing compensation.
Is Griselda based on a true story?
Yes, the miniseries “Griselda” is based on a true story. Each episode portrays the business, rise, life, and intimacy of Griselda Blanco, the woman who was a drug lord in the 1980s in Miami, in that masculinized criminal territory, where she even mentored a then-young Pablo Escobar.
Eric Newman, the creator of Narcos and Narcos: Mexico, recently gave an interview to Télam and revealed what led him to adapt her story for the screen. He stated, “I was always interested in her story, and one of the reasons we didn’t incorporate her into the previous series is that she wasn’t someone who shared space, she was too good to be a character who comes and goes. She is too fascinating and dynamic to share the spotlight“.
Sofia Vergara, the actress and producer, also spoke about the character. During an interview with the Argentine media La Nacion, the acclaimed star revealed that it was her first time doing drama and that it took a lot of work to portray the “kingpin”. She then asserted that Griselda’s life was quite interesting, confessing:
“There’s something about the business she managed that is impactful. I think it’s hard to imagine or really understand what it meant for a woman to be in control of drug trafficking at that time. Even now, women have problems doing what they want; imagine what it must have been like at that time! The strength that woman had to become one of the biggest kingpins of that era. It was significant, although I also find it essential not to glorify her because, in the end, she was no hero”.
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The criminal also known as “La Madrina” (The Godmother) passed away on September 3, 2012, at the age of 69 after being shot twice by a motorcyclist in Medellin. Her ending was quite tragic, but she is fondly remembered by many, especially her four children, three of whom she had before turning 21.
