"La Jefa has arrived." This is how Netflix is introducing its brand new series starring Sofia Vergara as Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco.
The series, called Griselda, follows the exploits of the ambitious woman who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. Stars include Alberto Guerra, Christian Tappan, Martín Rodríguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Vanessa Ferlito and Carolina Giraldo Navarro.
Griselda is produced by Eric Newman and Andrés Baiz, the creators of the popular crime series Narcos and Narcos: Mexico. Vergara, who is renowned for her roles in Modern Family and America's Got Talent, is also executive producer of the show.
READ MORE: Sofia Vergara 'being sued by Griselda Blanco's family' over upcoming Netflix show
Sofía Vergara as Griselda in the new Netflix series (ELIZABETH MORRIS/NETFLIX)With six hour-long episodes, the series premieres on Netflix tomorrow, January 25. Newman told Tudum: "From the earliest days of my research for what became Narcos, [Griselda] leapt out at me as a fascinating character. I have always endeavoured to humanise complicated people, many of whom have been considered evil, and Griselda offered both the greatest challenge and opportunity."
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He added: "There has never been a woman who came close to achieving the power, wealth, and respect that Griselda did. And no trafficker, woman or man, ever elicited the same level of fear. Griselda is a rise-and-fall story like none we have ever seen before. It’s thrilling, emotional, funny, scary, and tragic. Griselda is an antihero of the highest order and a series of contradictions at odds with herself."
Juliana Aidén Martinez as June in the Netflix show (NETFLIX)Explaining why Sofia was chosen for the role, which is different from any other she has played before, Newman said the actress is "a force of nature". Also, like Griselda, she is "a single mother who came to America from Colombia with nothing and built an empire." The trailer and publicity images for the series show Sofia looking practically unrecognisable thanks to the wigs and make-up she wore during filming.
Last week, it was claimed that Vergara is being taken to court by the family of Griselda Blanco over her new upcoming series on Netflix. The show, set in the 70s and 80s, has reportedly caused uproar with real-life Griselda's family.
Alberto Guerra as Dario in the series (ELIZABETH MORRIS/NETFLIX)According to TMZ, she was assassinated in 2012 and now her children, acting as representatives of her estate, claim Sofia's portrayal of their mother is "unauthorised". The family is suing the actress and Netflix for the use of Griselda's image and likeness in the series.
According to court documents seen by the outlet, real-life Griselda's kids were trying to "prevent the release" of the show. Griselda's son, Michael, says he has been doing interviews for years about a possible show about his mother, reported TMZ. Michael claims he has been doing interviews since 2009, with the possibility of the story also becoming a book.
The cast of Griselda at the premiere at Fillmore Theatre in Miami Beach (Michele Eve Sandberg/REX/Shutterstock)TMZ says Michael's story was set to be "shopped around Hollywood" in 2016, but went nowhere. He alleges his interviews were pitched to Netflix, but after they showed interest, they reportedly did not want to use any of his details. TMZ states that Michael "claims he's learned this new 'Griselda' show does, in fact, lean on a lot of his anecdotes and material ... but he says he never saw a dime", resulting in a lawsuit by him and his siblings, alleging Netflix "ripped off their family story".
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