Queen of the South (La Reina del Sur) is a dramatic crime series that premiered on the US television channel USA Network in 2016. Its plot is based on the novel of the same name by the writer Arturo Perez-Reverte. The book tells the life story of a Mexican woman named Teresa Mendoza, who has become an influential boss of the underworld. The first film adaptation of this novel is the 2011 Spanish Queen of the South television novel. It has become one of Telemundo's most successful projects. In 2016, the US cable television channel USA Network decided to turn the popular short story, designed for Hispanic audience, into a series in English. At the moment, the broadcast of the second season has ended.
The plot of the series "Queen of the South"
The story of the ascent of a humble woman to the heights of power and power in the international drug business begins in Mexico. Guero, the boyfriend of the protagonist, works for a major crime syndicate. He is flying illegal drugs to the United States. Guero makes a mistake, for which he is killed on the orders of the leader of the criminal organization. Escaping death, Teresa Mendoza leaves Mexico and leaves for Spain. Having settled in the southern part of this country, she is trying to start a new life. Soon Teresa for the second time becomes involved in the world of international drug trafficking. On the way to success, she is waiting for arrests, prisons, a bloody struggle with rivals and cooperation with the Russian mafia. Teresa eventually becomes the most influential drug dealer in southern Spain.
main characters
The author of the novel claims that the story described in his book is based on real events. However, the main character does not have an exact prototype. The life story of Teresa Mendoza remotely resembles the biography of Sandra Beltran, which the United States authorities consider one of the main coordinators of the famous Mexican drug cartel Sinaloa. For her involvement in organizing cocaine smuggling, she earned the nickname "Queen of the Pacific." In 2007, Beltran was arrested by the Mexican police and subsequently extradited to the United States.
It is worth noting that there are some differences between the lists of characters in the television novel "Queen of the South" in 2011 and the series later filmed. The most dangerous opponent of the main character in both film adaptations is the leader of the crime syndicate Epifanio Vargas, who ordered her boyfriend Guero to be killed. The drug lord sends killers to Teresa in order to get rid of a witness who knows too much about his criminal affairs. She, in turn, seeks to destroy the political career of Vargas, who plans to get into the Mexican parliament, and avenge him for the death of his beloved.
Minor Characters
In accordance with the scenario of the television novel, Teresa, while in prison, meets Pati, a girl from a wealthy family and an adventurer. Together they organize the first major cocaine sale deal. One of the leaders of the Russian mafia Oleg Yazykov becomes a regular business partner and reliable friend of the main character. Teresa has an affair with her lawyer Theo Aljarafe, who betrays her in the finale.
The list of characters and actors of the series “Queen of the South” lacks Party and Oleg Yazykov. In the 2016 film adaptation, new supporting characters appear: Camila, the wife of Vargas, managing the activities of the American branch of the criminal syndicate of her husband, and Brenda Parr, Teresa's best friend.
Actors of the series "Queen of the South"
In the 2011 television novella, the role of the main character was played by the Mexican Kate del Castillo. This actress of Latin American soap operas attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies by talking to drug lord Joaquin Guzman, who escaped from prison . Del Castillo wanted to arrange an interview with the leader of the crime syndicate and make a biographical film about him.
Among the actors of the series “Queen of the South”, which premiered in 2016, the brightest star is the leading woman - Brazilian Alice Braga, who successfully makes a career in both Hollywood and Latin American cinema.
The image of drug lord Vargas was embodied on the screen by the Portuguese Joaquim di Almeida. He is known for his work in European cinema, as well as for several roles in Hollywood films. Surprisingly, the leading actors in the Queen of the South series are not Mexicans or representatives of other Hispanic countries.
Reviews
Soap opera about drug dealers has received positive or moderate reviews from critics. Most viewers believe that screenwriters, directors and actors have managed to create an exciting story about the world of criminal clans, corrupt police and corrupt politicians. The series contains unexpected turns of events and interesting characters.