Netflix Releases Trailer for Sofia Vergara’s Drama Series “Griselda”

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara is bringing the drama…

Netflix has released the official trailer for Griselda, starring the 51-year-old Colombian actress and television personality. The series will premiere on January 25th.

In the series about Narco queenpin, the titular Griselda Blanco, Vergara flexes her dramatic skills.

From creators Eric Newman, Doug Miro, Ingrid Escajeda and Carlo Bernard, the six-episode series chronicles the life of Colombian-born Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. In 1970s-80s Miami, Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as “the Godmother.”

Alberto Guerra (Dario Sepúlveda), Christian Tappan (Arturo Mesa), Martín Rodríguez (Rivi Ayala), Juliana Aidén Martinez (June Hawkins), Vanessa Ferlito (Carmen Gutiérrez) also star.

Guest stars include Fredy Yate (Chucho Castro), Paulina Dávila (Isabel), José Zúñiga (Amilcar), Camilo Jiménez Varón (Rafa Salazar), Julieth Restrepo (Marta Ochoa), Gabriel Sloyer (Raul Diaz), Diego Trujillo (German Panesso) and Alberto Amann (Alberto Bravo).

New images from the series also reveal Carolina Giraldo, who is better known as Urban Latino superstar Karol G, in the role of Griselda’s friend Carla.

Andrés Baiz directs all episodes of Griselda. Escajeda and Miro serve as co-showrunners. Narcos and Narcos: Mexico showrunner and directing team Newman and Baiz executive produce, along with Miro, Escajeda, Carlo Bernard. Vergara and Luis Balaguer with Latin World Entertainment also executive produce.

Juliana Aidén Martinez to Star Opposite Sofia Vergara in Netflix’s Limited Series “Griselda”

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Juliana Aidén Martinez is joining the cartel…

The Colombian actress has joined the cast of Netflix’s Griselda, its upcoming limited series about real-life drug queenpin Griselda Blanco starring Sofia Vergara.

Aidén Martinez is among 12 newly added cast members, including Alberto Guerra, Diego Trujillo, Paulina Davila, Gabriel Sloyer, Maximiliano Hernández and Julieth Restrepo.

Netflix also released a first look photo of Vergara as the lead character.

The six-episode series chronicles the life of Colombian-born Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. A devoted mother, Blanco’s lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her expertly navigate between family and business leading her to become widely known as the “Black Widow.”

Here’s a full list of the cast and the characters they’ll play:

Alberto Guerra (Narcos: Mexico) as “Dario”
Vanessa Ferlito as “Isabel”
Alberto Ammann (Narcos) as “Alberto Bravo”
Christian Tappan (The Great Heist) as “Arturo”
Diego Trujillo (Metastasis) as “German Panesso”
Paulina Davila (Luis Miguel) as “Carmen”
Gabriel Sloyer (Narcos) as “Diaz”
Juliana Aidén Martinez as “June”
Martin Rodriguez (Detrás de la verdad) as “Rivi”
José Zúñiga (American Crime Story, Versace) as “Amilcar”
Maximiliano Hernández (The Avengers, The Americans) as “Papo Mejia”
Julieth Restrepo as “Marta Ochoa”

Blanco burst onto the pop culture scene after her exploits were highlighted in the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys and its sequel two years later from Billy Corben.

She was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Lifetime biopic Cocaine Godmother in 2018.

The series was developed by executive producers Vergara and Luis Balaguer for Latin World Entertainment. Griselda is the latest project for Eric Newman under his overall deal with Netflix.

Ingrid Escajeda will serve as co-showrunner, as well as write, and executive produce alongside Doug Miro (Narcos). Newman will also EP alongside his Narcos creative team, Andrés Baiz, and Carlo Bernard—though Griselda is unrelated to Netflix’s drug thriller franchise.

Baiz will direct all six episodes.

Sofia Vergara to Portray Drug Queenpin Griselda Blanco in New Netflix Series “Griselda”

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Sofia Vergara is dealing her way to the small screen…

The 49-year-old Colombian-American actress, television producer, presenter and model is set to portray notorious drug queenpin Griselda Blanco in a new Netflix limited series.

The six-episode series Griselda chronicles the real-life of Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. A devoted mother, Blanco’s lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her expertly navigate between family and business leading her to become widely known as the “Black Widow”.

The series comes from writer Ingrid Escajeda, who is showrunner, writer, and executive producer, as well as Eric Newman, Doug Miro, Andrés Baiz, and Carlo Bernard— the creative team behind Narcos – but it is unrelated to Netflix’s drug thriller franchise.

Vergara will also serve as executive producer of the project with Luis Balaguer for Latin World Entertainment. Colombian native Baiz will direct all episodes.

“Griselda Blanco was a larger-than-life character whose ruthless but ingenious tactics allowed her to rule a billion dollar empire years before many of the most notorious male kingpins we know so much about,” Vergara said. “We are thrilled to have found the perfect partners in Eric, Andrés and Netflix to help us bring this story of her life to the screen.”

Newman added, “Griselda Blanco has long been a passion project for Sofia and we are grateful that she and her partners at LatinWe have chosen us to help her tell that story. Sofia is a brilliant talent and her passion combined with a fantastic story from Doug and Ingrid, and the amazing Andrés Baiz at the directing helm, means we have a very exciting series to share with audiences.”

Peter Friedlander, VP, UCAN scripted series at Netflix, said, “Eric Newman has deftly brought to life among the most dynamic characters and stories on screen today. We’re excited to continue on this creative path with him and for this collaboration with Sofia Vergara — a force in entertainment and a world-beloved talent. With an incredible team at the helm — we can’t wait for the world to see how Ingrid Escajeda, Doug Miro, and Andrés Baiz take on the twists and turns of Griselda Blanco’s epic story.”

Blanco burst onto the pop culture scene after her exploits were highlighted in the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys and its sequel two years later from Billy Corben. She was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Lifetime biopic Cocaine Godmother in 2018.

Jennifer Lopez announced she’d portray Blanco in the film The Godmother, a project she is rumored to also direct.

El Chapo’s Wife Emma Coronel Aispuro to Appear on VH1’s Docuseries “Cartel Crew”

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Emma Coronel Aispuro is opening up about cartel life…

The 30-year-old Mexican American former teen beauty queen, the wife of convicted drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, will make the first of several appearances on VH1’s docuseries Cartel Crew on November 18, according to the network.

The series, now in its second season, goes inside the lives of descendants of the cartel life as they navigate adulthood and the effects the legacy has had on their upbringing. Michael Blanco, youngest son of “Cocaine Godmother” Griselda Blanco, stars on the show.

VH1 says Aispuro “opens up about her life after El Chapo and her upcoming business venture” — likely an El Chapo-inspired clothing line she announced earlier this year. Her first appearance on Cartel Crew was teased in a clip released today.

El Chapo, the leader of the murderous (and still active) Sinaloa cartel, is serving a life sentence after his conviction in July on charges of drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering. He had twice escaped from prisons in Mexico before being extradited to the U.S.

New York police and others were on high alert outside and around the Brooklyn courthouse when El Chapo was convicted; authorities held an active-shooter drill the previous day to prepare for the verdict.

Last month, Mexican government forces captured El Chapo’s son Ovidio Guzmán López, resulting in cartel forces pouring into and laying siege to the capital of Sinaloa state, Culiacán, where Guzmán López was apprehended. Eventually, the government was forced to release him fearing for the safety of the city’s residents.

Raul Mendez to Star in Lifetime’s Original Movie “Cocaine Godmother”

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Raul Mendez has landed a Godmother of a role…

The 42-year-old Mexican actor will star in Lifetime’s original movie Cocaine Godmother, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Directed by Guillermo Navarro, Cocaine Godmother is based on the life of Miami drug lord Griselda Blanco (Zeta-Jones), one the original “Cocaine Cowboys” who pioneered the drug trade between Colombia and the U.S. in the 70s and 80s.

Mendez will star as Dario, an associate of Pablo Escobar and Griselda’s third husband.

In addition to Mendez, the list of recent cast additions includes Jenny Pellicer (The Bridge) as Carolina, one of Griselda’s female lovers; Jose Julian (A Better Life) as Uber, Griselda’s second-oldest son (she had 4 boys); Juan Pablo Espinosa (La Fan) as Alberto, one of Griselda’s criminal associates, and her second husband; and Warren Christie (The Catch) as Jimmy, the DEA agent who hunted her down.

Blanco was living in Queens, NY, when she became embroiled with local drug runners. After moving to Miami to expand her empire, the death of her second husband gave rise to her nickname The Black Widow. She later moved to California, was deported to Colombia and was gunned down in 2012. In her lifetime, Griselda’s drug distribution network spanned across the United States and she was suspected of ordering over 200 murders.

The film will go into production this year and premiere in 2018 on Lifetime.

Mendez’s credits include major recurring roles on Narcos and Sense8.

Cocaine Godmother is produced by Asylum Entertainment for Lifetime.

Navarro (Pan’s Labrynth, Narcos) will direct from a script written by David McKenna (American History X).

HBO Developing Film About Drug Lord Griselda Blanco Starring Lopez

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a case of black & Blanco moment for Jennifer Lopez…

HBO is developing a film about notorious drug lord Griselda Blanco to be played by the 47-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer.

The film, from Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and LBI Entertainment, focuses on the rise and fall of Blanco (Lopez), the drug lord known as “The Cocaine Godmother” who revolutionized the U.S. drug trade during the 1970s and 1980s and became the most powerful female cartel member of all time.

Lopez will executive produce with Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas via Nuyorican Productions. Benny Medina also will executive produce with Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn for LBI Entertainment.

“I’ve been fascinated by the life of this corrupt and complicated woman for many years,” said Lopez. “The idea of teaming with HBO felt like the perfect fit for finally bringing Griselda’s story to life.”

Lopez stars in NBC’s drama Shades of Blue, recently renewed for a second season, which she executive produces with Goldsmith-Thomas and Medina.

Nuyorican Productions’ other credits include the Freeform series The Fosters and the Universal movie The Boy Next Door.

Guerrero to Star Opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in “The Godmother”

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Diane Guerrero has a new godmother…

The 29-year-old Colombian American actress has landed a role in director Gerard Johnson’s new film The Godmother.

Guerrero joins Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oliver Martinez and John Leguizamo in the film based on the life of drug lord Griselda Blanco (Zeta-Jones).

Set in the 1970s and ’80s, The Godmother tells the story of Blanco, deemed the “Godmother of Cocaine,” who went from an impoverished life to establishing a cocaine business with her husband in New York and becoming one of the most feared figures during the “cocaine cowboys” wars.

Guerrero, best known for her role in Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black, will play Eva, who worked as a mule for Blanco.

Production begins November 4 in Puerto Rico.

Guerrero, who appears on CW’s Jane the Virgin, will next appear in the features Beyond Control and Happy Yummy Chicken.

Moreno Joins Cast of the Drug Biopic About Griselda Blanco, “The Godmother”

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Catalina Sandino Moreno is heading back into the drug world…

The 33-year-old Colombian actress, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the drug-themed drama Maria Full Of Grace, has joined the cast of the drug biopic The Godmother.

Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, the film is the true-tale biopic about Colombian cocaine queenpin Griselda Blanco. The film stirred media interest after it was announced that Zeta-Jones was cast in the lead role.

Moreno earned an Academy Award nod for playing a drug mule in Maria Full Of Grace and recently hit the small screen in Red Band Society. She’ll next appear in a recurring role on TNT’s Falling Skies.

In addition to Moreno, the film will also star Oscar Jaeneda, who recently appeared in the film Cantinflas, as well as Jon Bernthal (Fury) and Mehdi Dehbi (A Most Wanted Man).

The Godmother is set to begin filming next spring. Eva Sørhaug is directing from a screenplay by Frank Baldwin.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: Griselda Blanco