Narcos: Mexico

Did You Know?

• Actor Wagner Moura, who played Pablo Escobar in the original Narcos, directed two episodes of season three.
• Netflix renewed the series for a second season just 19 days after the first season premiered, on December 5, 2018.
• Diego Luna's character Félix Gallardo does not appear in the third season; he only appears as a guest.
• José María Yazpik reprises his role as Amado Carrillo Fuentes from the original Narcos series.

Premise

The series begins in the 1980s, when Mexican drug traffickers were a loose confederation of small marijuana growers and dealers. It dramatizes Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo uniting several territories to form the Guadalajara Cartel. DEA agent Kiki Camarena moves his family to Guadalajara, where he faces a more difficult assignment than anticipated.

Production

Netflix renewed Narcos for two more seasons in September 2016, and production on the fourth season began in Mexico in late 2017. In July 2018, Netflix announced the season would reset as a new series titled Narcos: Mexico. The first season was released on November 16, 2018, and renewed for a second season the following month. Michael Peña and Diego Luna were announced to star in December 2017, with Matt Letscher joining in a regular role. Other cast members include Tenoch Huerta, Joaquín Cosío, Teresa Ruiz, Alyssa Diaz, and José María Yazpik. Directors included Amat Escalante, Alonso Ruizpalacios, and Andi Baiz. Wagner Moura directed two episodes of season three. Eric Newman left as showrunner in October 2020. Location scout Carlos Muñoz Portal was found murdered with multiple gunshot wounds on September 15, 2017, in central Mexico; authorities considered narco gang involvement but the murder remains unsolved.

Factual differences

The series takes liberties with true history to create a cohesive narrative. The murders of John Clay Walker and Albert Radelat were real, though they were reportedly tortured beforehand. The character Sofia Conesa was named Sara Cosio in real life. The killing of Hector Luis Palma's family on Félix Gallardo's orders is disputed and may have been done by the Arellano Félix brothers more brutally. The assassination of El Azul in Season 3 did not occur; he was active until at least 2014. General Gutiérrez Rebollo's arrest in the series differs from reality, where he was called to the Secretary of Defense's office and arrested. The Tijuana Cartel's escape from Guadalajara airport in a TAESA plane allegedly owned by Carlos Hank González is not supported by evidence; Hank was never prosecuted for organized crime links. According to José María Yazpik, Hank's name could be used because he is dead, whereas other names were changed to avoid lawsuits.

Reception

The first season holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 39 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The critics consensus notes the season is dangerous, thrilling, and highly addictive, with electric performances from Diego Luna, though Michael Peña spends most of the season with a constant expression. On Metacritic, season one has a weighted average of 80 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. The second season holds 81% on Rotten Tomatoes from 16 reviews, with an average of 7.6/10, described as addictive and relevant but more violent. The third and final season scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews, with an average rating of 7/10.