Watch Griselda

Griselda is a gripping new drama series that premiered on Netflix in 2024. The show is loosely based on the real life story of Griselda Blanco, who was a prominent figure in the illegal drug trade and organized crime in Colombia during the 1970s and 1980s. Known as the "Cocaine Godmother," Griselda Blanco pioneered drug trafficking from Colombia to the United States and was suspected of dozens of murders.

The show focuses on Griselda's tumultuous early life and rise to power. Born in poverty in Colombia, Griselda endured an abusive childhood and had her first child at age 14. Determined to escape her circumstances, Griselda embraced a life of crime and built her own Medellín cartel while still in her 20s. Ruthless and cunning, Griselda killed anyone who stood in her way as she rose to become one of the biggest drug kingpins in Miami.

Griselda depicts the glamorous and gritty sides of Griselda's world during the height of the Miami drug wars. Scenes shift between the dangerous streets of Medellín, where Griselda gets her start, to the glitzy Miami nightlife, where she blends in with high-society as her empire expands. Griselda bribes officials, outmaneuvers rival cartels, and consolidates her power through intimidation and murder.

Yet the show also delves into Griselda's internal contradictions. As a drug lord, she is vicious and unforgiving. But as a mother of four, she is fiercely devoted to her children. The show examines how Griselda attempts to shield her family from her criminal dealings and the constant threat of arrest or assassination.

Catherine Zeta-Jones gives a bravura performance as Griselda, oozing charisma and ruthlessness. The stellar cast also includes Javier Bardem as Griselda's second husband, Darío, who joins her criminal empire. Their tumultuous relationship is a major focus, as Darío struggles with Griselda's dominance and the danger of their lifestyle even as he benefits from her illegal wealth.

With its high stakes crime drama and glimpses into Griselda's complex psychology, Griselda goes far beyond the usual drug lord story. The show is as much about a determined woman beating the odds and succeeding in a male-dominated business as it is about the human costs of the drug trade. While Griselda resorts to horrifying violence, the show takes care to contextualize the difficult circumstances that molded her uncompromising survival instincts.

Bringing this infamous story to life, Griselda is sure to thrill and disturb viewers as they enter Griselda Blanco's dangerous and fascinating world. With realistic period details and action sequences, the show creates an electrifying viewing experience. Griselda depicts a pivotal time in the drug wars that gave rise to cartel culture and still impacts us today.

Griselda is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (6 episodes). The series first aired on January 25, 2024.