Narcos season 1
| Company type | Television series season |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | August 28, 2015 |
| Founder | Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro |
| Products | Crime thriller streaming television series |
| Parent | Netflix |
| Website | www |
The inaugural season of Narcos, a U.S. crime thriller streaming series developed by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro, depicts the ascent of drug lord Pablo Escobar, who accumulated immense wealth through cocaine manufacturing and trafficking. This season also delves into his interactions with competing drug cartels, DEA operatives, and opposing factions.
Featuring Wagner Moura in the role of Escobar, the Medellín Cartel's head, the ensemble cast includes Boyd Holbrook, Pedro Pascal, among others portraying historical personalities. The production's total budget was near $25 million, with an average expenditure of $2.5 million per episode.
Netflix released all 10 episodes simultaneously on August 28, 2015, garnering mostly positive critical reception. Moura's portrayal led to a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, while the season itself earned nominations for Best Television Series – Drama and received various honors including nods from the Writers Guild, BAFTA, and Emmy Awards. Following its success, the show was renewed for a second season that premiered on September 2, 2016, also consisting of 10 episodes.
Main
- Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar – Colombian drug trafficker and Medellín Cartel leader
- Boyd Holbrook as Steve Murphy – DEA agent focused on capturing Escobar
- Pedro Pascal as Javier Peña – DEA agent working alongside Murphy
- Joanna Christie as Connie Murphy – Steve Murphy’s spouse and a nurse
- Maurice Compte as Horacio Carrillo – Colombian police commander inspired by Colonel Hugo Martínez
- André Mattos as Jorge Ochoa – Medellín Cartel founder and former leader
- Roberto Urbina as Fabio Ochoa – senior figure within the Medellín Cartel
- Diego Cataño as Juan Diego "La Quica" Díaz – cartel assassin based on Dandeny Muñoz Mosquera
- Jorge A. Jiménez as Roberto "Poison" Ramos – cartel hitman frequently at odds with La Quica
- Paulina Gaitán as Tata Escobar – wife of Escobar, modeled after María Henao
- Paulina García as Hermilda Gaviria – Escobar’s mother and former educator
- Stephanie Sigman as Valeria Vélez – Colombian journalist and Escobar’s lover, based on Virginia Vallejo
- Bruno Bichir as Fernando Duque – Escobar’s attorney and government intermediary inspired by Guido Parra
- Raúl Méndez as César Gaviria – Colombian economist, politician, and 28th President of Colombia
- Manolo Cardona as Eduardo Sandoval – Vice Minister of Justice during Gaviria’s presidency
Recurring
- Luis Guzmán as Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha – Medellín Cartel founder and former leader
- Juan Pablo Raba as Gustavo Gaviria – cousin to Escobar and co-founder of Medellín Cartel
- Richard T. Jones as CIA Officer – member of Murphy’s DEA task force
- Ana de la Reguera as Elisa Álvarez – co-leader of guerrilla group 19th of April Movement (M-19)
- Patrick St. Esprit as Colonel Lou Wysession – Marine officer combating communist forces
- Danielle Kennedy as Ambassador Noonan – U.S. Ambassador to Colombia during the Reagan administration
- Alberto Ammann as Hélmer "Pacho" Herrera – prominent Cali Cartel drug lord
- Gabriela de la Garza as Diana Turbay – Colombian journalist abducted by Medellín cartel
- Luis Gnecco as "La Cucaracha" or Mateo 'Cockroach' Moreno – Chilean chemist allied with Escobar, later executed after a conflict
- Julián Díaz as El Negro or "Blackie" (real name Nelson Hernández) – Medellín Cartel member often seen with Escobar
- Juan Sebastián Calero as Navegante – violent enforcer for the Cali Cartel
- Jon-Michael Ecker as El León or "The Lion" – childhood acquaintance turned Miami drug smuggler and later head of Miami operations for Escobar
- Cristina Umaña as Judy Moncada – ex-Medellín Cartel leader who established a rival cartel allied with Cali Cartel and Los Pepes
- Christian Tappan as Gerardo 'Kiko' Moncada – business associate of Escobar
- Orlando Valenzuela as Fernando Galeano – another partner in Escobar’s enterprises
- Juan Riedinger as Carlos Lehder – U.S.-based contact managing cocaine distribution
- Thaddeus Phillips as Agent Owen – CIA operative on the Colombian task force
- Ariel Sierra as Sureshot – one of Escobar’s assassins
- Carolina Gaitán as Marta Ochoa – sister of Ochoa family kidnapped by M-19
- Laura Perico as Marina Ochoa – Ochoa sibling involved romantically with Gustavo Gaviria
- Vera Mercado as Ana Gaviria – spouse of César Gaviria and Colombia’s First Lady
- Juan Murcia as Juan Pablo Escobar, son of Pablo Escobar
- Alejandro Buitrago as Velasco
- Jorge Monterosa as Trujillo
- Andres Felipe as General Jaramillo
- Luis Miguel Hurtado as El Paisa, employee and driver for Escobar
- Juan Pablo Espinosa as Luis Carlos Galán – Colombian politician, chief secretary to Gaviria, assassinated presidential candidate
- Jair Arango Meneses as Fredy Rodriguez - son of Medellín cartel leader Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha
Episodes
Critical response
The debut season was met with predominantly positive critiques. On Rotten Tomatoes, 45 reviews were analyzed, resulting in a 78% approval rating; the site pointed out that although Narcos does not feature traditionally likable characters, it captivates audiences through strong performances and a briskly paced plot. Metacritic assigned Season 1 a score of 77 out of 100, reflecting "generally favorable" feedback. IGN awarded it a 7.8 out of 10, commending its authentic depiction of Pablo Escobar's ascent and the suspenseful storyline, enhanced by archival footage that highlights the true terror portrayed.
Numerous media critics applauded the season. The Philadelphia Inquirer described it as "intense, enlightening, brilliant, unnerving, and addictive," while the New York Post labeled it "the first cool show of the new season." The A.V. Club emphasized its successful combination of humor and style without undermining the serious subject matter. The Hollywood Reporter praised Wagner Moura’s layered acting and director José Padilha's documentary-style direction.
The Wall Street Journal highlighted the effective narrative technique of an all-knowing narrator to manage the complex storyline, and The New York Times underscored sharp writing and compelling performances. The San Francisco Chronicle admired Moura’s powerful portrayal of Escobar but critiqued the extensive narration delivered by Boyd Holbrook's character. Variety lauded the series for its tight, gripping storytelling and binge-worthy nature, aligning well with Netflix's acquisition approach.
Some reviewers expressed more cautious opinions. The Los Angeles Times regarded it as an ambitious yet uneven experiment, whereas the New York Daily News valued its nuanced portrayal that avoids casting characters as purely heroic or villainous. IndieWire found fault with the main character's lack of charisma despite strong voice-over narration, and Las Vegas Weekly considered it informative but seldom emotionally resonant.
Accolades