With Sofia Vergara headlining crime series Griselda and shining in the role of a ruthless boss, this one sure recreates the world of drug lords in Miami in right earnest

Sheetal

After delivering successful series, Narcos (2015-2017) and Narcos: Mexico (2018-2021), director Andrés Baiz returns with a spin-off, Griselda, another biographical crime series, only this time it’s a woman at the center of it all! Creators of the series are a mix of seasoned names — Carlo Bernard and Doug Miro (previously associated with Narcos and Narcos: Mexico), and the fresh perspective of Ingrid Escajeda and Eric Newman.

Web Series: Griselda

Director: Andrés Baiz

Cast: Sofia Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Martín Rodríguez, Jose Velazquez, Orlando Pineda, Martín Fajardo, Vanessa Ferlito, Fredy Yate, Camilo Jimenez Varon, Christian Tappan, Julieth Restrepo and José Zúñiga

Stars: ***

Contrary to the images of the real Griselda Blanco doing the rounds on internet, it is believed that Blanco was a beautiful woman and thus Sofia Vergara fits right into the mould. But the actress did undergo some changes in the jawline and nose via prosthetics, and also ‘yellowed’ her teeth! While she passed off as a ruthless boss of a drug cartel in Miami with flying colours, her character looks no way near the Griselda that people have seen.

With each passing scene, Vergara becomes more of Griselda and you forget that’s the same actress you have been watching in Modern Family for years. Known for her impeccable comic timing and lovable accent, it took a lot of time to process that the same actress was playing a cunning and corrupt character of a female drug lord. Vergara, also the co-producer of the project, has surely re-launched herself for bigger and better roles.

The scenes where Vergara starts taking her reputation of La Madrina (The Godmother) seriously and killing people to keep the fear as well as power intact are not just beautifully shot, but also portrayed well. Vergara’s monologue in front of Cubans she has hired to expand her business also sums up what it was like to be a woman in the criminal world full of vultures.

Among the supporting cast, Martín Rodríguez as Rivi stands out, as did another female character, June, played by Juliana Aidén Martinez. Alberto Guerra, who plays Dario, Griselda’s third husband, also charms with his appeal and a supportive husband’s role.

It’s often hard for writers to depict the good side of an anti-hero while refraining from glamourising the criminal world for the viewers, but the screenwriters and Vergara delivered a powerful act in episode five, relaying all that went wrong with Griselda in a single episode. It’s the winning episode of the series, not that others were any less. Also, the series perfectly captures the Miami vibe and the culture of that era.

The editing is crisp and the decision to make a six episodic miniseries also falls in favour of the makers. Neither does it look like an exaggerated retelling of events nor does it leave you satisfied in the end, as you wish to see more of her tale!