Griselda, the Netflix miniseries, has recently garnered attention due to a lawsuit filed against the show and its star, Sofia Vergara, by the children of the real-life Griselda Blanco. The series, which delves into the life of the infamous Colombian drug lord operating in Florida during the 1980s, has faced allegations of unauthorized use of the Blanco family's likeness and interviews.
In response to the lawsuit, both Sofia Vergara and the show's co-creator, Eric Newman, have addressed the situation in an interview with ET. Newman, no stranger to such controversies as he had faced similar claims from the Escobar family during the production of the TV series Narcos, expressed his belief in the importance of telling their version of the story. He emphasized that their aim was to portray a specific narrative, which they believe they accomplished without infringing on anyone else's creative freedom.
Vergara, who plays the role of Griselda in the miniseries, expressed her fascination with the character and the achievements she made despite the horrific nature of her activities. She stated her commitment to understanding Griselda from the very beginning and capturing her essence as truthfully as possible.
The lawsuit brought by Griselda Blanco's son, Michael, centers around the alleged unauthorized use of his family's stories and likeness without consultation. Michael claims that he was interviewed from 2009 to 2022 by individuals looking to develop a project about his mother, but asserts that Netflix did not involve him in the production of Griselda. The lawsuit contends that the show utilized the family's interviews and stories without their permission.
Although Blanco's children initially sought to prevent the release of the miniseries, Griselda is now streaming on Netflix. Despite the absence of Blanco's children in prominent roles within the show, it remains unclear how true their claims are regarding unauthorized use of interviews as inspiration for the series. Given the show's nature as a historical drama based on a well-documented figure, the burden of proof appears to rest on the plaintiffs' shoulders.
Considering Newman's prior experience with similar controversies surrounding Narcos, it seems he is confident that the matter will be resolved amicably. Moreover, Vergara's passion for portraying the captivating historical figure indicates that she has no regrets about her involvement in the miniseries. While the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, it seems unlikely that it will have a significant impact on the future of Griselda.
Netflix released all episodes of Griselda, which showcases the story of the ambitious and shrewd Colombian entrepreneur Griselda Blanco, on January 25, 2024. The series delves into the intriguing life of a woman known as the 'Godmother' who defied societal norms and achieved monumental success in the drug trade industry while navigating the complexities of family and business.
