New Netflix Series 'Griselda' Starring Sofia Vergara Has Fans Celebrating Her Riveting Performance

By Asheea Smith

(Photo : Photo by Mireya Acierto/WireImage) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Actress Sofia Vergara attends the Miami premiere of "Griselda" at The Fillmore Miami Beach on January 23, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Netflix debuted its new miniseries, "Griselda," starring Sofia Vergara on Thursday.

The streaming drama — inspired by real events — tells the story of Columbian drug lord Griselda Blanco who became known as the "Godmother" of Miami's drug empire.

Vergara, 51, who also serves as the series' executive producer, spoke with Billboard about the challenges of playing Griselda, as this Netflix show marks her debut of a more serious role.

"Everything was challenging for me, mainly the first month because I was trying new things. I had never acted in Spanish or a drama or with prosthetics. The three hours of hair and makeup were exhausting," she revealed. "I had to wrap my body so it didn't look like me. I think more than one scene that was difficult was episode five. It was really hard because Griselda was going all the way down and she's doing drugs, losing her mind a little bit."

She continued: "We were far away from my house in L.A. We were sleeping in tiny hotels. It was difficult. And the mood that Griselda was in was exhausting for me. She was killing, screaming, crying. It was a lot."

(Photo : Photo by Mireya Acierto/WireImage) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: (L-R) Aurora Cossio, Sofia Vergara, Karol G, Paulina Davila and Juliana Martinez attend the Miami premiere of "Griselda" at The Fillmore Miami Beach on January 23, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.

The gritty series shows how Blanco, a.k.a "The Cocaine Godmother," journeys from Medellín, Columbia, to the United States where she becomes a force in the drug empire without ever forgetting to light a cigarette.

The series also debuts actress Karol G as "Carla," who is a trusted assistant to the queen pin.

"Working with Karol G was amazing," director Andres Baiz began. "When she came to the set, everyone was happy. Very professional. It was fantastic. I wish there was more of Karol G in the show, but it's just a taste."

Last month, several of the series' creators shared with NBC News how the show presents a "painful era" in Columbia's historic struggle with cartels.

"By watching her behave like a mother, a businesswoman, a lover, a friend, and a criminal, you will want to understand her," said Baiz. "But in that process, as the audience, you also would like to understand yourself... That's one thing I really like about antiheroes — it's like putting a mirror in front of your face and trying to understand your contradictions as well."

Vergara and Netflix are entangled in a lawsuit with the late Blanco's children, stating the series uses Blanco's images and likenesses without proper clearance, TMZ reported.

Creator Eric Newman isn't worried, allegedly responding how "it's not my first rodeo. The Escobar family made similar claims for 'Narcos.' We had a very specific story we wanted to tell. I believe we told it, and I don't think it in any way prevents someone else from telling their own version of it."

This highly anticipated limited series premieres on Jan. 25 on Netflix.