The series was created by Narcos showrunners Eric Newman and Andrés Baiz, with Baiz directing all eight episodes. The series is written by Ingrid Escajeda and Doug Miro.
According to the official series description, Griselda is "inspired by the smart and ambitious Colombian businesswoman Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. As a devoted mother, Blanco's deadly mix of charm and unsuspected cruelty helped her skillfully navigate between family and business, which made her widely known as the 'Godmother'."
Carolina Giraldo alias Karol G portrays Griselda's confidante Carla, a good friend from Medellín who arrives in Miami along with a number of other sex workers to help smuggle products.
The ensemble cast is completed by Alberto Guerra (Narcos: Mexico), Vanessa Ferlito (NCIS: New Orleans), Alberto Ammann (Narcos), Christian Tappan (Snowfall), Diego Trujillo, Paulina Davila (Ana), Gabriel Sloyer (Narcos), Juliana Aidén Martinez (The Blacklist), Martin Rodriguez and José Zúñiga (Madam Secretary).
Griselda has been in development at Latin World Entertainment for eight years. “Black Widow” Blanco was previously the subject of Lifetime's 2018 biopic Cocaine Godmother, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and written by David McKenna and directed by Guillermo Navarro. Jennifer Lopez would also make her directorial debut with the true crime drama The Godmother in 2020.
Griselda showrunner Newman explains that "Griselda Blanco has been a passion project for Sofia for a long time" and calls Vergara a "brilliant talent." The actress also produces.
“Griselda Blanco was a larger-than-life character,” Vergara said, “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.”
Griselda premieres on Netflix on Thursday, January 25.
You can watch the trailer for Griselda below.
