Univision’s first co-production with Netflix about Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán premieres on April 23.
By: Veronica Villafañe
Actor Marco de la O has been cast in the role of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán in the Univision/Story House Entertainment original miniseries.
El Chapo, Univision’s first co-production with Netflix, explores the life story of the Mexican drug kingpin over a span of three decades, starting in 1985 when he was a low level member of the Guadalajara Cartel, to his rise to power and his ultimate downfall.
“We are thrilled to have Marco take on the role of ‘El Chapo’ as we begin to unfold the story of the most notorious drug lord of our times, revealing the man behind the myth,” said Christian Gabela, General Manager of Story House Entertainment. “We think viewers will be truly captivated by both Marco’s performance and this story of power, ambition, corruption, secrecy and deception.”
The series, currently in production in Latin America, is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, April 23 at 8 PM ET/PT on Univision and will air in three separate cycles throughout the year.
The Spanish-language network has yet to reveal the total number of episodes in the series.
El Chapo, created by Silvana Aguirre Zegarra and produced by Daniel Posada, was directed by José Manuel Cravioto and Ernesto Contreras.
The network also announced the series cast, which includes Humberto Busto (Amores Perros) as Attorney Conrado Sol, aka “Don Sol” (an important political party figure); Juan Carlos Olivas (180°) as El Güero (Joaquín’s main partner); Alejandro Aguilar (“Rosario Tijeras”) as Toño (Joaquín’s main assassin); Tete Espinoza (“Wenses y Lala”) as Chío (Joaquín’s lover); Rodrigo Abed (Reevolución) as Amado (Mexican capo); Luis Rábago (Principio y Fin) as General Blanco (National Security Advisor); Cristina Michaus (El Tigre de Santa Julia) as Doña Esperanza (Joaquín’s mother); Valentina Acosta (“Señora Acero”) as Alejandra (Joaquín’s first wife); and Juliette Pardau (“De Todas Maneras Rosa”) as Graciela (Joaquín’s second wife).
Accused by law enforcement of running the “largest drug trafficking organization in the world,” Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán effectively evaded authorities for decades, twice escaping from maximum-security Mexican prisons. His last attempt in 2015 was widely reported, after it was discovered that he escaped through a mile-long tunnel dug under his cell. He was recaptured nearly six months later and extradited to the U.S. earlier this year. His next scheduled court appearance is on May 5, 2017.
Source: Forbes
