Summary

• Griselda, an biographical crime drama miniseries, stars Sofía Vergara as the ruthless queenpin Griselda Blanco, portraying the rise and fall of the notorious Colombian drug lord.
• The miniseries aims to diversify the male-dominated crime genre with its female-led cast and provide a unique and innovative perspective.
• Griselda has already received praise from critics and is expected to be a solid contender in the biographical crime drama genre, with Sofía Vergara delivering one of the best performances of her career.

best true crime shows about women.

Although Griselda receiving praise from critics coupled with the well-received performances of its ing cast, Griselda already looks like it will be a solid contender in the long-running biographical crime drama genre's legacy.

Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco

Griselda is a highly influential queenpin in the cocaine-based drug trade of the 1980s.

Actress: Sofía Vergara, 51, is a Colombian-born actress who is most famous for her role in the hit ABC comedy sitcom, Modern Family in the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, starring alongside TV veteran Ed O'Neill. Known primarily for her comedic chops and work in Spanish-language melodramas, Griselda will see Vergara shed her comedic sensibilities in favor of a much more dramatic and intimidating role.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Modern Family (2009 - 2020), Machete Kills (2013), The Smurfs (2011), Chef (2014), and Hot Pursuit (2015).

Character: Vergara stars as Griselda Blanco Restrepo, better known as Griselda Blanco, one of the most notorious and violent drug lords during the illegal cocaine trade of the 1970s and 1980s. Based on the real-life of the infamous queenpin, the miniseries will highlight the important moments in Griselda's life, such as her upbringing in a poverty-stricken Colombia to her rise as the "Godmother of Cocaine" to her eventual fall in a tragic cautionary tale about money, power, greed, and loyalty.

Alberto Guerra as Darío Sepúlveda

Darío is Griselda's third and most controversial husband.

Actor: Alberto Guerra, 42, is a Cuban actor notable for his appearances in various telenovelas - that is, Spanish-language melodramas, as well as gritty crime dramas. Perhaps his most famous role, Guerra's work in Guerra de ídolos as Mateo Solar centers around the price of fame and the impact that its pursuit can have on one's relationships. However, Griselda looks to be another role in which the actor will thrive, as the brief trailer displays Guerra capturing the essence of Darío's noted anger and control issues.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Guerra de ídolos (Price of Fame, 2017), Crime Diaries: The Candidate (2019), and Narcos: Mexico (2021).

Character: Alberto Guerra stars in Griselda as Griselda's third husband, Darío Sepúlveda, a man who's as dangerous as he is in love with Griselda. While there isn't an abundance of information available about Darío, what is known is that he was prone to violent outbursts, was a prolific drug dealer in his own right, and was extremely possessive over Griselda and their family. Although it isn't confirmed, people who knew both Darío and Griselda allege that she ordered his assassination after he kidnapped their son - and considering that her previous husbands also died similarly, it's possible Darío met the same fate.

Martín Rodríguez as Jorge "Rivi" Ayala-Rivera

Rivi is Griselda's most loyal and effective hitman.

Actor: Martín Rodríguez, 45, is an Argentinian actor best known for his work in independent Spanish-speaking movies like El cuarto de Leo and Zanahoria. Although Rodríguez isn't as well-known as some of his co-stars, what he lacks in fame he more than makes up for in authenticity, as many of his performances garner praise from Spanish critics due to the actor's attention to detail.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: El cuarto de Leo (2009) and Zanahoria (2014)

Character: Griselda's most trusted and lethal hitman and one of the most ruthless enforcers in the Medellín cartel. Born in Cali, Colombia, Rivi eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois with his family and, after developing his English skills, started working as a mechanic for his father at General Motors. However, after convincing himself he could earn more money through crime, he started boosting cars and smuggling illegal Mexican immigrants into the country before deciding to move to Miami. In Miami, Rivi met Blanco, and he was soon hired as her top enforcer.

Juliana Aidén Martinez as June Hawkins

June is a hardened detective bound and committed to bringing Griselda to justice.

Actor: Juliana Aidén Martinez, is an American actress with perhaps the smallest resume out of each of Griselda's stars. With small roles in Prodigal Son and The Blacklist, Martinez has already demonstrated an affinity for playing tough women who aren't afraid of the trials and tribulations laid out for them.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Prodigal Son (2021) and The Blacklist (2021)

Character: Martinez plays Miami police homicide detective June Hawkins, and her incredible work ethic and determination were both instrumental in bringing Griselda to justice. Very little is known about June's personal or even professional life outside of her duties to law and order, but considering her instrumental role in bringing down Griselda and, by relation, crippling the Medellín Cartel, audiences can expect June to be one of the best characters in the miniseries.

Vanessa Ferlito as Isabel

Isabel used to work with Griselda in Colombia but has since turned over a new leaf in Miami.

Actor: Vanessa Ferlito, 46, is an American actress known for her work in Spider-Man 2, Gridiron Gang, Death Proof, and NCIS: New Orleans; roles that have seen the actress display an incredible amount of range throughout the years. While Ferlito is certainly a versatile actress, the common thread between many of her roles is her characters' tough exterior often being the result of existing in an unrelentingly brutal environment. Given the nature of Griselda's premise and setting, it's safe to assume viewers will bear witness to yet another memorable performance by Ferlito.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Spider-Man 2 (2004), Gridiron Gang (2006), Death Proof (2007), and NCIS: New Orleans (2016 - 2021)

Character: Vanessa Ferlito plays Griselda's friend Isabel, and is described as a loyal yet vicious friend to Griselda from their days in Colombia. Although Isabel is a composite character - that is, a fictional character based on multiple real-life people, her distinct characteristics as seen briefly in the trailer consist of her being something of Griselda's right-hand woman, offering her advice and through tough times. Although it is alleged that Griselda had many people close to her killed in fear of them betraying her, it remains to be seen whether Ferliot's Isabel character will meet a similar fate.

Christian Tappan as Arturo Mesa

Arturo is Griselda's ant from Colombia who manages her assets in Miami.

Actor: Christian Tappan, 51, is a prolific Colombian-Mexican character actor primarily known among audiences for his notable work in TV, such as appearances in Wild District, The Great Heist, Primate, and Snowfall. While Tappan has starred in many crime dramas, he tends to vary his performances by portraying characters with vastly different senses of morality, as seen with the more unscrupulous Rigo Vaco in Snowfall, to the more straight-forward Apache in Wild District.

Notable Movies & TV Shows: Wild District (2018 - 2019), Snowfall (2017 - 2023), The Great Heist (2020), and Primate (2022)

Character: Another composite character, Arturo is based on the various financial advisers, attorneys, ad even close friends that Griselda had in real-life, thus making him a hodgepodge of a close friend, legal professional, and father that she never had. While the trailers don't offer much in the way of Arturo's personality, his constant presence in many scenes suggests he'll be of major importance. Given Arturo's connection to Griselda, Tappan will likely be a more nuanced criminal, since he's part financial advisor and friend to the drug lord.

Griselda ing Cast & Characters

Alberto Ammann as Alberto Bravo - Alberto Bravo is Griselda's second husband and is portrayed as the one responsible for Griselda's descent into the criminal underworld. While very little of him is shown, Alberto will likely be portrayed in a villainous light, since Griselda developed her reputation for having exes killed. Ammann is an Argentinian actor and musician whose work ethic has seen him star in over twenty-four projects; the most notable being Narcos and Narcos: Mexico. With his familiarity in the crime drama genre, Ammann is sure to bring his expertise to the forefront of his new role.

Karol G as Carla - Karol G is primarily known for her work as a singer-songwriter, with 2021's voice-over role in Koati being her only other acting performance. Carla is yet another composite character based on many of the sex workers and friends that Griselda made along the way. Not much is shown of Carla in the trailer either, but Griselda's brief motherly presence indicates that the two women will have a closer bond than many of the other characters in the show.

Julieth Restrepo as Marta Ochoa - Colombian model and actress Julieth Restrepo plays Marta Ochoa, the sister to the ruthless Ochoa brothers - two of the most prolific drug traffickers in the Medellín cartel. Given the nature of the Ochoa brothers' familiarity with drug trafficking, the Ochoa brothers became billionaires, thus causing rival to kidnap Marta for ransom money. Julieth's work as a model hasn't stopped her from acting in gritty dramas with Loving Pablo and La semilla del silencio (The Seed of Silence) being among her most notable.

Maximiliano Hernández as Papo Mejia - Maximiliano Hernández plays rival drug trafficker Papo Mejia, and given his contentious relationship with Griselda, will likely serve as a major force of antagonism to the "Godmother of Cocaine." Although the rivalry between the two has more prominence in Colombia, it's very likely the drama will follow Griselda to Miami, thus creating a heightened sense of tension for the protagonist. Hernández is a character actor known for his appearances in the MCU as Agent Sitwell, Sicario, and Warrior among many other roles. With Griselda next on his list, he'll once again showcase his range.