Narcos

Narcos

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	August 28, 2015 (2015-08-28)
Founder	Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Worldwide (via Netflix)
Products	Television series
Website	www.netflix.com/title/80025172

Narcos is a U.S.-based crime drama television series developed and executive produced by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro. The show was filmed in Colombia, with its first two seasons centering on the notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, head of the Medellín Cartel, depicting his cocaine empire alongside his confrontations with DEA agents and competing factions. The third season shifts focus to the DEA's campaign to dismantle the Cali Cartel following Escobar’s demise.

The debut season, consisting of 10 episodes, launched exclusively on Netflix on August 28, 2015. Subsequently, Netflix renewed the show for a second season of equal length, which premiered on September 2, 2016. Further renewals led to a third season released on September 1, 2017. However, what was initially planned as the fourth season was rebranded as the inaugural season of a new Netflix original series titled Narcos: Mexico. This spin-off premiered on November 16, 2018, and shifted the narrative to focus on Mexico’s drug trafficking scene during the 1980s.

The initial season's production costs were estimated at around $25 million. The series employs a bilingual approach featuring both English and Spanish dialogue and is produced by Gaumont Television USA for Netflix.

Season 1

Season 1 chronicles Pablo Escobar’s rise from the late 1970s through July 1992. Presented through the viewpoint of Steve Murphy, an American agent with the DEA stationed in Colombia, it portrays Escobar’s entry into the cocaine business. Beginning as a local black market operator in Medellín, Escobar teams up with Mateo "Cockroach" Moreno, a chemist, to manufacture and distribute cocaine.

Their operations grow with the establishment of larger laboratories deep in the rainforest. With assistance from Carlos Lehder, they transport large quantities of cocaine to Miami, gaining traction among wealthy consumers. Escobar develops extensive production facilities and distribution networks to satisfy increasing demand in the United States. As cocaine trade intensifies violence and injects substantial U.S. currency into Colombia, the DEA forms a task force headed by Murphy and Javier Peña to work alongside Colombian officials led by Colonel Carrillo in efforts to curb drug trafficking. The season concludes with Escobar’s dramatic prison break.

Season 2

Following Escobar’s escape from 'La Catedral' prison, Season 2 explores his continued evasion despite being surrounded by military forces. His influence is strong enough to prevent his capture. A newly appointed U.S. ambassador brings CIA involvement into play; meanwhile, Escobar retains loyalty within his cartel while using tactics such as traveling concealed in taxi trunks and employing lookouts to avoid arrest.

Escobar manages a delicate balance between maintaining community support and enforcing brutal measures against traitors within his ranks. Violence escalates as clashes with Colombian law enforcement intensify. Meanwhile, rivals within the Cali cartel form alliances with former cartel members and a paramilitary group backed by the CIA. Agent Peña secretly cooperates with this group—known as "Los Pepes"—which targets Escobar’s network.

After betrayals from key cartel insiders force him into hiding, Escobar is ultimately tracked down during a rooftop gunfight involving DEA agents and military personnel. He is killed by a Colombian police officer named Trujillo. Following his death, his wife Tata seeks refuge through assistance from the Cali cartel to escape Colombia. Peña returns to the United States but is unexpectedly assigned to provide intelligence on the Cali cartel, indicating ongoing DEA operations in Colombia.

Season 3

After the demise of Pablo Escobar, the DEA ramps up its campaign against the Cali cartel. With Escobar out of the picture, the cartel broadens its reach into new markets across the United States and internationally. In a surprising development, Cali cartel chief Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela reveals intentions to withdraw from the cocaine business within six months to concentrate on legitimate enterprises, sparking mixed reactions within the group.

Main

• Wagner Moura portrays Pablo Escobar – Colombian drug kingpin and leader of the Medellín Cartel (seasons 1–2)
• Boyd Holbrook plays Steve Murphy – DEA agent focused on capturing Escobar (seasons 1–2)
• Pedro Pascal as Javier Peña – DEA agent pursuing both Escobar and later the Cali Cartel (seasons 1–3)
• Damián Alcázar depicts Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela – head of the Cali cartel and Escobar’s adversary (seasons 2–3)
• Joanna Christie as Connie Murphy – nurse and spouse of Steve Murphy (seasons 1–2)
• Maurice Compte as Colonel Horacio Carrillo – commander of the Search Bloc and Colombian police chief (season 1; recurring season 2)
• Alberto Ammann as Hélmer "Pacho" Herrera – senior figure in the Cali cartel (seasons 2–3, recurring season 1)
• André Mattos as Jorge Ochoa – founding member of the Medellín cartel (season 1)
• Roberto Urbina as Fabio Ochoa – Medellín cartel operative (season 1)
• Diego Cataño as Juan Diego "La Quica" Díaz – assassin for the Medellín cartel (season 1; recurring season 2)
• Jorge A. Jimenez as Roberto "Poison" Ramos – hitman for Medellín cartel (season 1; guest season 2)
• Paulina Gaitán as Tata Escobar – wife of Pablo Escobar (seasons 1–2)
• Paulina García as Hermilda Gaviria – mother of Escobar (seasons 1–2)
• Stephanie Sigman portrays Valeria Vélez – journalist and Escobar’s lover (season 1; recurring season 2)
• Bruno Bichir as Fernando Duque – lawyer with Colombian government connections representing Escobar (seasons 1–2)
• Raúl Méndez as César Gaviria – Colombian economist, politician, and President (seasons 1–2)
• Manolo Cardona plays Eduardo Sandoval – Vice Minister of Justice under Gaviria, inspired by Eduardo Mendoza (seasons 1–2)
• Cristina Umaña as Judy Moncada – ex-Medellín cartel leader opposing Escobar, based on Dolly Moncada (season 2; guest season 1)
• Eric Lange portrays Bill Stechner – CIA station chief in Colombia, inspired by William Wagner (seasons 2–3)
• Florencia Lozano as Claudia Messina – DEA supervisor overseeing Murphy and Peña (season 2)
• Francisco Denis as Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela – high-ranking Cali cartel member and Gilberto’s brother (seasons 2–3)
• Pêpê Rapazote plays José Santacruz Londoño – Cali cartel leader managing operations in New York City (season 3)
• Matias Varela as Jorge Salcedo Cabrera – head of security for the Cali cartel (season 3)
• Javier Cámara portrays Guillermo Pallomari – chief accountant for the Cali cartel (season 3)
• Arturo Castro as David Rodríguez – son of Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela (season 3)
• Andrea Londo plays María Salazar – spouse of a drug lord connected to the Norte del Valle Cartel (season 3)
• Kerry Bishé as Christina Jurado – American wife of a banker linked to the Cali cartel (season 3)
• Michael Stahl-David portrays Chris Feistl – DEA agent under Peña’s leadership (season 3)
• Matt Whelan as Daniel Van Ness – DEA agent partnered with Feistl (season 3)
• José María Yazpik plays Amado Carrillo Fuentes – Mexican drug trafficker allied with Pacho and the Cali cartel, known as "The Lord of the Skies" (season 3)

Recurring

• Luis Guzmán portrays Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha, an original founder and former head of the Medellín cartel (season 1)
• Juan Pablo Raba appears as Gustavo Gaviria, Escobar's cousin and one of the Medellín Cartel's founding members (seasons 1–2)
• Juan Riedinger takes on the role of Carlos Lehder, the U.S. liaison responsible for cocaine trafficking (season 1)
• Richard T. Jones features as a CIA officer within Murphy's task force (recurring season 1; guest season 2)
• Jon-Michael Ecker plays El León ("The Lion"), Escobar’s childhood companion and Miami-based smuggling operator, inspired by George Jung (guest seasons 1–2)
• Ana de la Reguera acts as Elisa Álvarez, co-leader of the guerrilla group M-19 (season 1)
• Danielle Kennedy embodies Ambassador Noonan, the U.S. envoy to Colombia during Ronald Reagan’s administration (season 1)
• Patrick St. Esprit portrays Colonel Lou Wysession, a Marine officer fighting communism (recurring season 1; guest season 2)
• Gabriela de la Garza appears as Diana Turbay, a Colombian journalist abducted by the Medellín cartel (season 1)
• Ariel Sierra plays Sureshot, one of Escobar’s sicarios (recurring season 1; guest season 2)
• Julián Díaz is cast as Nelson ("El Negrito") Hernández, a Medellín cartel member close to Escobar (seasons 1–2)
• Carolina Gaitán portrays Marta Ochoa, a member of the Ochoa family kidnapped by M-19 (season 1)
• Julián Beltrán acts as Alberto Suárez, an officer in the Colombian National Police (season 1)
• Thaddeus Phillips plays Agent Owen, a CIA operative on the Colombian task force (recurring season 1; guest season 2)
• Laura Perico features as Marina Ochoa, part of the Ochoa family with ties to Gustavo Gaviria (season 1)
• Vera Mercado embodies Ana Gaviria, Colombia’s First Lady and spouse of César Gaviria (recurring season 1; guest season 2)
• Juan Sebastián Calero portrays Navegante, a leading enforcer for the Cali cartel (seasons 1–3)
• Leynar Gómez appears as Jhon "Limón" Burgos, a taxi driver turned Escobar sicario, based on Alvaro de Jesús "El Limón" Agudelo (season 2)
• Martina García plays Maritza, an associate who unknowingly assists Escobar (season 2)
• Brett Cullen acts as Ambassador Arthur Crosby, succeeding Noonan as U.S. ambassador to Colombia under George H. W. Bush (seasons 2–3)
• Konstantin Melikhov portrays Edward Jacoby, a U.S. intelligence officer involved with Centra Spike operations (season 2)
• Germán Jaramillo appears as Gustavo de Greiff, Colombian attorney general and outspoken critic of drug policies (season 2)
• Mauricio Cujar plays Diego "Don Berna" Murillo Bejarano (recurring season 2; guest season 3)
• Mauricio Mejía is cast as Carlos Castaño Gil (recurring season 2; guest season 3)
• Gustavo Angarita Jr. portrays Fidel Castaño (recurring season 2; guest season 3)
• Juan Pablo Shuk acts as Colonel Hugo Martínez, leader of Search Bloc following Carrillo’s tenure (seasons 2–3)
• Raymond Ablack features as Agent Neil Stoddard (season 3)
• Miguel Ángel Silvestre plays Franklin Jurado (season 3)
• Carlos Camacho appears as Claudio Salazar (season 3)
• Taliana Vargas portrays Paola Salcedo (season 3)
• Andrés Crespo is cast as Carlos Córdova (season 3)
• Julian Arango takes on Orlando Henao Montoya’s role, a senior figure in the North Valley cartel (season 3)
• Gaston Velandia plays Rosso José Serrano, General of the Colombian National Police (season 3)

Prominent Characters

• Luis Gnecco portrays Cucaracha ("Cockroach"), a Chilean chemist who introduces Escobar to the cocaine trade (season 1).
• A.J. Buckley appears as Kevin Brady, a DEA agent and Steve Murphy's partner (season 1).
• Adria Arjona plays Helena Sotomayor, a prostitute based in Bogotá who acts as an informant for the DEA (season 1).
• Rafael Cebrián takes on the role of Alejandro Ayala, leader of M-19 and partner to co-leader Elisa Álvarez (season 1).
• Adan Canto embodies Rodrigo Lara Bonilla, a Colombian lawyer and political figure (season 1).
• Dylan Bruno features as Barry Seal, an American drug smuggler working for the Medellín cartel, known by the alias "McPickle" (season 1).
• Juan Pablo Espinosa represents Luis Carlos Galán, a Colombian journalist and politician (season 1).
• Alfredo Castro plays Abel Escobar, Pablo Escobar's father (season 2).
• Tristán Ulloa portrays Ernesto Samper, Colombia’s president during the timeline (season 3).
• Gabriel Iglesias appears as a Dominican criminal figure (season 3).

Production

The series was announced in April 2014 through a collaboration between Netflix and Gaumont International Television. The inaugural season consisted of 10 episodes and was produced with an estimated budget near $25 million. Chris Brancato served as the primary writer, while Brazilian director José Padilha, acclaimed for his commercially successful Elite Squad films—among Brazil’s top-grossing movies—helmed the direction.

On September 15, 2017, Carlos Muñoz Portal, a location scout for the series, was discovered murdered close to Temascalapa, Mexico. The isolated nature of the crime scene resulted in no eyewitnesses, with investigations considering potential links to narcotics-related criminal organizations.

Opening Theme and Title Sequence

The series Narcos begins with a title card featuring a narrator’s explanation of Magical realism, describing it as the blend of realistic environments with fantastical elements, emphasizing its Colombian roots. The opening song, "Tuyo", is a bolero composed exclusively for the show by Brazilian singer-songwriter Rodrigo Amarante. The title sequence, developed by DK Studios under artistic director Tom O'Neill, incorporates visuals inspired by the 1980s that depict Colombian drug trafficking operations, U.S. involvement, and period-specific scenes from Bogotá and its surroundings. It also integrates archival news footage alongside photographs taken by Pablo Escobar’s personal photographer known as "El Chino," drawing inspiration from James Mollison's photographic collection The Memory of Pablo Escobar.

Origin of the Term

The word "narco" originates from the Spanish shorthand for narcotraficante, meaning drug trafficker. In American English usage, "narc" commonly refers to narcotics enforcement officers such as those from the DEA.

Season One

The debut season garnered mostly positive critiques, earning a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and scoring 77 out of 100 on Metacritic. Reviewers applauded its dynamic narrative pace and compelling acting performances, especially Wagner Moura’s embodiment of Pablo Escobar. IGN praised its authentic portrayal and effective use of historical footage. Publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Wall Street Journal highlighted its gripping intensity and storytelling approach. Nevertheless, some critiques pointed to uneven execution and a scarcity of relatable characters.

Concerns were raised about the authenticity of Spanish language usage; linguistic experts identified inaccurate accents and misuse of regional slang. Viewers in Colombia expressed dissatisfaction with the actors’ accents—most notably Moura’s Brazilian accent, which contrasted with Escobar’s Paisa dialect—impacting the series’ reception across Latin American audiences.

Season 2

The second season received enhanced critical acclaim, earning a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 76. IGN assigned it a 7.4/10, commending Moura's acting despite some narrative overreach. Reviewers appreciated the season’s more concentrated depiction of Escobar’s concluding period and its well-executed pacing. Publications such as The A.V. Club, The New York Times, and Entertainment Weekly emphasized the emotional resonance and gripping narrative, while The Hollywood Reporter highlighted Moura’s powerful representation of Escobar’s deterioration.

Season 3

Season three garnered a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes along with a Metacritic score of 78. IGN gave it an 8.0/10, noting it as a step forward despite minor imperfections. Critics lauded the series’ effective shift beyond Escobar’s arc, concentrating on new cartel leaders with complex character portrayals. Reviews from IndieWire, The Telegraph, among others, praised Pedro Pascal’s performance as DEA agent Javier Peña. Although some pointed out a slow beginning, they acknowledged the strength of the season’s climax episodes. Overall, the season was recognized for maintaining viewer interest and advancing the storyline.

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
2015	Hollywood Music in Media Awards	Original Score – TV Show/Digital Series	Pedro Bromfman	Nominated
2016	Golden Globe Awards	Best Television Series – Drama	Narcos	Nominated
		Best Actor – Television Series Drama	Wagner Moura	Nominated
	Writers Guild of America Awards	Best Episodic Drama	Andy Black (Episode: "Explosivos")	Nominated
	Satellite Awards	Best Drama Series	Narcos	Nominated
	Guild of Music Supervisors Awards	Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama	Liza Richardson	Won
	Golden Trailer Awards	Best Trailer/Teaser for a TV Series/Mini-Series	Netflix, Transit (Trailer: "Lines")	Won
	British Academy Television Awards	Best International Programme	Producers including José Padilha, Eric Newman, Chris Brancato	Nominated
	Imagen Foundation Awards	Best Actor – Television	Wagner Moura	Nominated
		Best Actor – Television	Pedro Pascal	Nominated
	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Main Title Design	Tom O'Neill et al.	Nominated
		Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music	Rodrigo Amarante	Nominated
		Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series	Leo Trombetta (Episode: "Descenso")	Nominated
	Hollywood Music in Media Awards	Best Main Title – TV Show/Digital Streaming Series	Rodrigo Amarante	Nominated
	Artios Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Casting Television Pilot – Drama	Carmen Cuba et al.	Nominated

|- | rowspan="3"|2017 |43rd People's Choice Awards |Favorite Premium Drama Series |Narcos |Nominated |} |- |Golden Trailer Awards |Best Action (TV Spot / Trailer /Teaser for a Series) |Netflix, Transit (Trailer: "Lines") |Won |} |- |Golden Reel Awards |TV Short Form – FX/Foley |Randle Akerson et al. |Nominated |} |-

Spin-off

Narcos: Mexico, which premiered on November 16, 2018, broadens the franchise by focusing on Mexico's drug trafficking scene during the 1980s. Maintaining narrative ties to the original series, it introduces prominent characters including DEA agent Kiki Camarena (Michael Peña) alongside notorious drug lords such as Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán (Alejandro Edda) and Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna). The storyline delves into the establishment of cartels and the beginnings of Mexico’s drug conflict.

Video game

In January 2023, Netflix released an exclusive mobile title called Narcos: Cartel Wars Unlimited available to Android and iOS users subscribed to the platform. This free-to-play game enables players to build and oversee their own drug cartel within the Narcos universe.

See also

• Escobar: Paradise Lost
• Loving Pablo
• Pablo Escobar, The Drug Lord