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

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.

Sofia VergaraThe 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.

Jennifer Lopez Partnering with Coach on New Campaign

“Put me in Coach,” says Jennifer Lopez

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar and fashion icon has announced a hot new partnership with the fashion branch Coach.

Lopez announced the campaign on her Instagram, sharing her excitement for what’s to come with her 105 million followers. 

“I’m so excited for this collaboration with Coach” she said. “It is a timeless brand that I’ve always been a fan of and the upcoming collection really speaks to my personal style –– an uptown downtown mix.”

Starting in spring 2020, Lopez will appear in ad campaigns for the leather goods, ready-to-wear and footwear company. The relationship builds on the long-time relationship between the two — Lopez carried Coach bags as early as her 2002 video “All I Have” with LL Cool J.

In the upcoming campaign, she’ll be shot by Juergen Teller, who’s captured the likes of Yara Shahidiand Jemima Kirkein iconic locations for previous Coach campaigns.

One year ago, Michael B. Jordanbecame the first global face of menswear for the Tapestrybrand and later designed a Coach unisex clothing line, which he told The Hollywood Reporter is “nostalgic, fresh, utilitarian and functional.”

A Bronx-born mother-of-two, Lopez has always stayed true to her New York roots, from her In Living Color days to her role as executive producer on films like Hustlers and 2020’s The Godmother

Like Lopez, Coach is New York through-and-through, founded in Manhattan 78 years ago. Coach says it selected Lopez to embody its value for self-expression. 

“Jennifer is so authentic. She’s determined and she’s an original who has followed her own path to do things her own way — she really embodies the attitude of Coach and our new campaign,” Coach creative director Stuart Veverssaid in a statement. “She’s from New York like Coach, which creates another authentic connection with our heritage, and I’m particularly excited about bringing Jennifer and Juergen Teller together.”

Lopez will join fellow A-list ambassador and pop star Selena Gomez as part of the Coach family. Earlier this year, Lopez, together with her fiancé Alex Rodriguez, launched a collection of sunglasses with the brand Quay Australia, as well as her 25th fragrance called Promise.

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

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.

Diane Guerrero

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”

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.

Catalina Sandino Moreno

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.