Netflix new original series Narcos, which focuses on the notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel, has signed up Brazilian actor Wagner Moura to play the lead role. Narcos will reunite the star of Elite Squad with that film’s director, Jose Padilha, who also recently directed the remake of RoboCop.
Padilha, Eric Newman, Doug Miro, Carlos Bernard, and Chris Brancato will executive produce.
The 10-episode first season will shoot in Colombia. Narcos will air exclusively on Netflix in 2015.
“Jose and Wagner together created one of the most sophisticated and chilling portraits of criminality and official corruption ever in their Elite Squad movies,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “Their version of the Escobar saga will be like nothing ever seen before.”
“Our idea is to tell the true story of how cocaine became such a huge problem in the U.S. and Europe – and how it all started here in Medellin,” said Padilha.
“We are so thrilled to be working with Jose and Eric on this gripping and timeless story,” added Katie O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer, Gaumont International Television. “Netflix is the perfect partner to launch this series and we are happy to be working once again with the amazing team there.”
