Netflix renewed Narcos: Mexico for season 2. The biographical crime drama complements the original Narcos storyline, and the narrative focus allows for an expansive look at the origins of Mexican drug cartels.
In 2015, Netflix premiered Narcos season 1, a 10-episode primer about the rise of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. With Brazilian star Wagner Moura (Elite Squad) in the lead role opposite Boyd Holbrook (Logan, The Predator) and Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984) as American DEA agents, Narcos effectively connected the dots as to how Escobar managed to maintain power, both in Colombia and while dealing with international business partners. After season 2, Narcos transitioned to a narrative about the Cali cartel, and with numerous surviving characters overlapping. For Narcos: Mexico, Netflix took a similar approach by focusing on the formation of the first Mexican drug cartel during the 1980s. In season 1, Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) stars as Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo aka “El Padrino,” the founder of the Guadalajara cartel. In a supporting role, Michael Peña (Ant-Man and the Wasp) appears as real-life DEA agent Kiki Camarena, and the series is narrated by Scoot McNairy (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood).
Related: Screen Rant’s Narcos: Mexico Review
Per Deadline, Netflix has renewed Narcos: Mexico for a second season, likely to highlight the ascent of Joaquín Guzmán, otherwise known as “El Chapo.” In a small but significant role during Narcos: Mexico season 1, Alejandro Edda portrays the now infamous drug lord – a man that entered the drug trafficking business and worked as a chauffeur for the aforementioned “El Padrino” before taking control of drug shipments. In modern pop culture, “El Chapo” has become well-known for his brazen escapes from prison, his threats to U.S. President Donald Trump, and for a bizarre interview with American actor Sean Penn, who defended his journalistic approach in a controversial 2016 60 Minutes conversation with Charlie Rose.
While the captivating filmmaking and dramatic aspects played a role in Narcos: Mexico’s renewal, along with positive critical reviews, the fact that “El Chapo” is still alive and relevant suggests that seasons will air in the upcoming years. Furthermore, the rise of other Mexican drug lords suggest side-narratives could inspire even more spinoffs.
One could argue that Narcos and Narcos: Mexico glorify the lifestyles of drug traffickers, but the respective series do, in fact, take a critical approach while investigating the historical context and societal implications. As a result, many will be looking forward to the second season of Narcos: Mexico.
