Griselda (2024) Series: A Powerful Godmother Of Cocaine

Griselda is a tale about a powerful Godmother of Cocaine – Griselda Blanco (1943-2012). A Colombian lady, she dominated a drug cartel in the 1970s-1980s in Miami, United States.

She was the smart, ambitious, violent and ruthless businesswoman (and/or a drug dealer) of that era. No wonder, she created one of the most profitable drug cartels in history.

Trailer of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

Summary [official] of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

Queenpin. Innovator. Mother. Killer. Griselda is a woman of substance. This limited series comes from the creative minds of “Narcos” and “Narcos: Mexico” series. Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization shows Griselda Blanco’s journey from Medellín to becoming “the Godmother” of Miami’s drug empire. Fleeing from Medellín to Miami, Griselda Blanco (Sofía Vergara) creates one of the most ruthless cartels in history.

Rating of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

Spoiler Free Review of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

The introduction

This limited series introduced us to the unbelievable real-life story of Griselda Blanco. A mother of three kids, she escaped the violent drug world of Colombia. But only to land in the United States and emerge as one of America’s highest-earning drug traffickers in the 1970s and 1980s period. She dominated the drug empire with iron hands and raw violence.

Not surprisingly, her various nicknames are apt – La Madrina (The Godmother), The Black Widow, La Dama de la Mafia (The Mafia Lady), Godmother of Cocaine, etc.

We liked her character arc in the show

Born in poverty, she was surrounded by the cruel and violent ways of the world, right from her childhood days. However, she never stopped dreaming. So, she wished to escape her troublesome past life. And then perhaps she wanted to build a life for her kids, where there would not be any financial hardship for her family.

But she chose the illegal and violence-ridden ways. Using her sharp mind and street-smart business acumen, she emerged as the deadly leader of the drug cartel in Miami.

We loved Sofia Vergara as Griselda Blanco

For those who have seen Soia Vergara doing the comedic roles in Modern Family, they are in for the shock of their life. Her dramatic transformation for this character is just too good.

Focus/Bonus Info.: 

Sofia Vergara wore extensive prosthetics on her face - from around her eyes, to her nose, to her chin - as well as fake teeth - in order to better represent Griselda. She was nervous people wouldn't take her seriously in a dramatic role. Here is the video clip of her transformation on Netflix/YouTube.

In this limited crime drama, the beautiful and charming Sofia Vergara played the lethal and savage Griselda Blanco in the show. On one hand, Griselda is a loving and devoted mother. A dedicated friend for life. On the other hand, she is a violent and vengeful woman. A messenger of death for her foes.

In the end, her luck ran out. The immense power, mindless hubris, suspecting nature and violent ways poisoned her mind excessively. Her drug empire unravelled and disappeared. Not surprisingly, her family members paid a very steep price. Consequently, her violent ways led to her ascent as well as her downfall in life.

We loved the way Sofia Vergara played the challenging character of Griselda Blanco. A brave and intelligent woman who carved her place in a drug world dominated by men.

The recreation of the 1970-1980s period

The show creators have diligently recreated that era when the drug was finding its way into the lives of Americans. The production is good too – the costumes, the set designs, etc. The music of the 1970-1980s era in this series was nostalgic too. As it certainly helped in setting the mood and transporting people to that time.

Focus/Bonus Info.: 

The woman that plays Griselda's longtime friend, Carla, is played by Latin singer  songwriter and actress Karol G (Carolina Giraldo Navarro) from Colombia.

Some of the scenes in this series were based on real incidents. Even the interesting smuggling operations and the gruesome violent scenes are taken from true incidents.

The conclusion

According to the police reports and the news media, some estimate that Blanco’s kill orders exceed the count of 250. She is suspected of being responsible for over 40 murders in Miami alone. All of these are serious numbers in the crime world. But as the age-old saying goes “the crime does not pay.” And this sounds so true for the biographical life story of Griselda Blanco. She is one more tragic anti-heroine when her deeds catch up with her.

We liked her engrossing crime tale, as it is a perfect show for the marathon watch.

Spoilers Alert – Episode Summary and Ending is shared below

After her release from prison, Griselda returned to Medellin, Colombia.

On September 3rd, 2012, she was gunned down by an unknown assassin while exiting a buther shop.

She was 69 years old.

Poster of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

Key Details about the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series

Featured Image and Poster of the Griselda (S1/2024) Mini-Series | Pics. Credit: Netflix.