The Making of ‘Griselda’: An Inside Look at Sofía Vergara’s Transformation
Eric Newman, the creative force behind the acclaimed ‘Narcos’ franchise, has embarked on a new project, this time focusing on the notorious Griselda Blanco. The Netflix limited series, titled ‘Griselda’, stars Sofía Vergara in a role that starkly contrasts her beloved character Gloria Pritchett from ‘Modern Family’. This transition marks a significant shift for Vergara, who has spent over a decade delving into the life of Blanco, the infamous pioneer of the cocaine trade.
Griselda Blanco, often referred to as “The Godmother” and “The Black Widow”, revolutionized the drug trade, leaving a lasting impact from Colombia to the United States, particularly in Miami during the 1970s through the early 2000s. Newman, having extensively thought about Blanco’s story during his tenure with ‘Narcos’ and its spinoff ‘Narcos: Mexico’, always envisioned telling her story. However, he felt that Blanco’s unique narrative required its own space, separate from the ‘Narcos’ universe.
The opportunity to explore Blanco’s life in detail arose when Newman, under a comprehensive deal with Netflix, teamed up with Vergara for the ‘Griselda Blanco’ project. Vergara not only serves as an executive producer alongside partner Luis Balaguer but also steps into Blanco’s shoes, offering a dramatic performance post-‘Modern Family’. The series also brings together ‘Narcos’ veterans including Doug Miro, Andrés Baiz, and Carlo Bernard, with Baiz directing all six episodes.
Newman describes the series as an intimate portrayal of Blanco’s life, distinct from ‘Narcos’ larger narrative scope. The show aims to explore the complexities and motivations behind Blanco’s actions in a male-dominated industry, without relying on techniques such as voiceovers or archival footage. The series delves into the moral ambiguity of Blanco’s character, acknowledging the heinous acts she committed while maintaining a narrative that keeps the audience engaged.
Vergara’s commitment to portraying Blanco played a crucial role in the project’s development. Newman was impressed by her conviction and passion, which he found infectious. Her involvement provided a unique perspective on depicting a woman leading a drug empire, challenging the male-dominated narrative typical of such stories. Newman compares Vergara’s transition from a comedic role to a dramatic one to the career paths of actors like Tom Hanks and Robin Williams, emphasizing the complexity and skill involved in such a shift.
The physical transformation of Vergara into Blanco was another critical aspect of the show’s development. The team experimented with various makeup approaches, ultimately choosing a look that allowed Vergara’s expressions to shine through without being overshadowed by heavy prosthetics. This decision ensured that while Vergara transformed into Blanco, her performance remained central.
The series, however, has not been without controversy. Prior to its release, the Blanco family filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the show, claiming it was a fictionalized account of Griselda’s life. Newman, having experienced similar situations with Pablo Escobar’s family during ‘Narcos’, understands the complexities involved in portraying real-life figures. He emphasizes that ‘Griselda’ is a fictionalized narrative, not a documentary or biography.
Looking ahead, Newman remains passionate about exploring stories within the realm of drug cartels. While ‘Griselda’ is a limited series, Newman is always on the lookout for compelling characters that resonate with him, suggesting the potential for future projects in this vein. His interest in the world of narcotics and the complex characters within it continues to drive his creative endeavors, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating what he will bring to the screen next.
The “Griselda” series on Netflix marks a significant shift for Sofía Vergara, who is widely recognized for her role in “Modern Family.” In the series, Sofia Vergara takes on the role of Griselda Blanco, a famed and formidable figure in the drug trafficking world, often referred to as “The Godmother” and “The Black Widow.” Vergara’s fascination with Blanco’s story spans more than ten years. The series delves into how Blanco shaped the narcotics business, tracing her journey from Colombia to the United States.
especially in Miami during the 1970s to early 2000s.
Eric Newman, who was an executive producer for Netflix’s “Narcos,” found Blanco’s story compelling enough to warrant its own series. Along with Newman, “Narcos” colleagues Doug Miro, Andrés Baiz, and Carlo Bernard collaborated with Vergara, who also works as an executive producer with her partner Luis Balaguer.
Blanco’s story is challenging due to her unique position in a male-dominated criminal world. The six-episode series aims to explore her complex character and the extraordinary events that shaped her life and criminal activities. This series focuses more on personal narratives than geopolitical or socio-economic aspects, without voiceover or archival footage, and less emphasis on law enforcement, providing a more personal view of Blanco’s life.
The series captures Blanco’s vast life story, focusing on significant events and acknowledging that it’s impossible to cover every aspect of her life in six episodes. The creators, influenced by Vergara’s insights, chose key moments that defined Blanco’s journey, attempting to understand her motivations. The series also delves into the moral complexities of Blanco’s character, portraying the challenges faced by a woman seeking power in a male-dominated world.
Vergara’s portrayal of Blanco is a departure from her comedic roles, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Newman compared Vergara’s transition to actors like Tom Hanks and Robin Williams, who also successfully moved from comedy to serious roles. The show’s makeup and prosthetics were carefully chosen to enhance Vergara’s performance, focusing on her acting rather than the makeup.
Prior to the premiere of the show, legal challenges arose from Blanco’s family, seeking to halt its release, mirroring an issue Newman previously encountered with the family of Pablo Escobar during the production of “Narcos.” Newman emphasizes that “Griselda” is a work of dramatization, rather than a factual documentary, and as such, it is open to different interpretations, particularly by individuals who have personal connections to the characters depicted in real life.
Newman is interested in continuing to tell stories in the narcotics trafficking world. “Griselda” demonstrates his commitment to this genre, offering a new perspective by centering a powerful woman’s story in a traditionally male-dominated field.