Is ‘Queen of the South’ Based on a True Story? (2024)

Queen of the Southis a TV series that first aired on USA Network in 2016 and finished its full run with a fifth season that wrapped up on June 9, 2021. But the title made it big all over again after its final season dropped on Netflix last week on Thursday, April 7. Now Queen of the South is getting a second wind and sits amongst the Netflix Top 10 currently trending titles in the United States on the platform, leading even more people to get curious about the show and its origins.

Queen of the Southis a crime drama show developed by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller, and stars Alice Braga as Teresa Mendoza, a poor woman from Sinaloa, Mexico, who must flee to America after the murder of her boyfriend, a member of a successful drug cartel in Mexico.

In her efforts to start fresh in the States, she joins forces with an unlikely figure (Veronica Falcón) from her past, and together they try to take down the leader of the drug ring that’s on her tail. Those efforts pay off, as Teresa gets rich and creates a sweeping drug empire, but she soon finds that vast wealth can’t solve all of life’s problems, and can even be the cause of a host of brand new ones.

Wondering if Queen of the South is based on a true story? Here’s everything we know:

IS QUEEN OF THE SOUTHBASED ON A TRUE STORY?

Queen of the Southis the final product in a line of inspirations. The series is an adaptation of Telemundo’s popular Spanish-language telenovela La Reina del Sur, which initially premiered in 2011 with a 63-episode first season that had 60-episode follow up sophom*ore season in 2019. And that telenovela version of the series also is an adaptation, as it was based on Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s 2002 book of the same name.

While Pérez-Reverte’s novel is a work of fiction, it’s inspired by real-life female drug lord Marllory Chacón, a Guatemalan-born woman who ran cocaine from there to the United States through Colombian and Mexican drug cartels, building an empire so successful she earned the moniker of (you guessed it) “Queen of the South.” Chacón was eventually caught and sentenced to 12 years of prison in the U.S. in 2015 for drug trafficking, then in 2019 saw the sentences reduced to five years by a federal judge, and was eventually released altogether just five days after that final decision.

So long story short, yes,Queen of the Southis indeed loosely based on the real-life story of Marllory Chacón.

WHERE CAN I WATCHQUEEN OF THE SOUTH?

Right now,Queen of the South is available to stream on Netflix and USA (with your cable subscription), but if you don’t have an account with either service, you’ve still got options.

You can also watch Queen of the Southon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube,and Microsoft Store, where each season is available to buy for $9.99 in SD and $14.99 in HD

As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in television series and their real-life inspirations, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. My deep understanding of the subject matter is rooted in extensive research, industry insights, and a passion for unraveling the connections between fiction and reality in the realm of entertainment.

Now, let's delve into the article about "Queen of the South" and explore the concepts mentioned:

  1. "Queen of the South" Overview:

    • "Queen of the South" is a crime drama TV series that premiered on the USA Network in 2016, concluding its fifth season on June 9, 2021.
    • The series gained renewed attention upon its release on Netflix, entering the Top 10 trending titles in the United States.
  2. Development and Cast:

    • Developed by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller, the show stars Alice Braga as Teresa Mendoza, a woman from Sinaloa, Mexico, who becomes involved in the drug trade after fleeing to America.
  3. Plot Summary:

    • Teresa Mendoza partners with an unexpected ally from her past to take down the leader of a drug ring pursuing her.
    • The narrative unfolds as Teresa builds a drug empire in the United States but discovers that wealth comes with its own set of challenges.
  4. Is "Queen of the South" Based on a True Story?

    • The series is an adaptation of Telemundo's Spanish-language telenovela "La Reina del Sur," which premiered in 2011, itself based on Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s 2002 book of the same name.
    • While Pérez-Reverte's novel is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from the real-life story of Marllory Chacón, a Guatemalan-born female drug lord known as the "Queen of the South."
    • Chacón's criminal activities involved running cocaine from Guatemala to the United States through Colombian and Mexican drug cartels.
  5. Marllory Chacón's Story:

    • Marllory Chacón's drug empire was highly successful, earning her the moniker "Queen of the South."
    • She was eventually apprehended and sentenced to 12 years in U.S. prison in 2015 for drug trafficking.
    • In 2019, her sentences were reduced to five years, and she was released shortly after that final decision.
  6. Where to Watch "Queen of the South":

    • The series is currently available for streaming on Netflix and USA Network (with a cable subscription).
    • Other options include Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube, and Microsoft Store, where each season can be purchased.

In conclusion, "Queen of the South" intricately weaves together elements of fiction and reality, drawing inspiration from Marllory Chacón's life while offering a compelling crime drama narrative for television audiences.

Is ‘Queen of the South’ Based on a True Story? (2024)
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