Sofía Vergara Transforms Into “Griselda” in New Netflix Series
© Netflix & Kathy Hutchins / Vecteezy
Get ready to see a whole new side of Sofía Vergara. The renowned actress has recently undergone an incredible transformation for her role in the upcoming Netflix series “Griselda.” Are you curious to know more about this captivating project and the character she portrays? Well, we have got you covered! Here is how the transformation unfolded and what you can expect from the new series starring Sofía Vergara as Griselda.
Who Is Griselda?
Netflix is launching a new biographical series. It is inspired by the success of the Narcos franchise, focused on the drug empire led by Griselda Blanco. Starring Sofia Vergara, the limited series comprises six episodes and is set to debut on Netflix in January 2024. The show delves into the life of Griselda Blanco, offering viewers insights into her criminal empire.
Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Black Widow” and the “Queen of Cocaine,” was a notorious Colombian drug lord. She played a significant role in the cocaine trade during the 1970s and 1980s. She was born on February 15, 1943, in Cartagena, Colombia, and gained notoriety for her involvement in drug trafficking, particularly her role in transporting cocaine from Colombia to the United States.
Additionally, Blanco was a key figure in the Medellín Cartel and was known for her ruthlessness and cunning tactics. She became one of the wealthiest and most powerful women involved in organized crime. Blanco was responsible for orchestrating numerous violent acts and was linked to multiple murders.
From Real Life to TV Screens
The development of the Griselda Blanco biographical series, initially rumored as a Narcos spin-off, was first reported in November 2021 by Illuminerdi. The show’s development was confirmed shortly after, with Netflix officially announcing the title. Despite similarities, Netflix emphasized that there is no connection or crossover between the Narcos franchise and the new series.
Moreover, the journey to bring Griselda Blanco’s story to the screen was prolonged, reportedly taking eight years for Latin World Entertainment to secure a network pickup for the series.
Sofía Vergara Starring as Griselda in New Netflix Series
Sofia Vergara pitched the Griselda Blanco series to “Narcos” showrunner Eric Newman in 2015, three years after Blanco’s death. Newman and Andrés Baiz, a “Narcos” collaborator, joined the project, and the series was officially announced in 2021. The six-part series focuses on Blanco’s life after moving to Miami in the late 1970s as a single mother, highlighting the empire she built there. The story unfolds as it captures the attention of June Hawkins, portrayed by Juliana Aidén Martinez, one of Miami’s first female homicide detectives. Vergara transformed the infamous “godmother of cocaine” using makeup, prosthetics, and hairstyling.
Why “Griselda”?
Sofia Vergara and the producers recognized the need for a significant physical transformation to distinguish her from her well-known “Modern Family” character in the Griselda Blanco series. They underwent a trial-and-error process, experimenting with various hair and makeup designs to find the right look. According to series creator and executive producer Eric Newman, there were tests with designs that were too extreme or not impactful enough before settling on a transformation that satisfied the team. Facial prosthetics were even employed to conceal some of Vergara’s distinctive natural features in the portrayal of the notorious drug lord.
What do you think of Sofía Vergara’s transformation and portrayal of Griselda so far?
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