Netflix
Adam Fierro will take over showrunning duties on the Pablo Escobar drama starring Wagner Moura.
Netflix's original scripted programming hot streak continues.
The streaming service has renewed Pablo Escobar drama Narcos for a second season, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The drama stars Wagner Moura as Escobar and tells the story of the Medellin Cartel, once the world's most ambitious and violent trafficking organization. Adam Fierro (The Shield) will take over as showrunner for Chris Brancato (Hannibal), who oversaw the freshman series and departed to board ABC's now-midseason biblical drama Of Kings and Prophets.
Brancato joined Narcos midway through production on season one and was credited as a co-creator. With production in Colombia wrapped on season one, Brancato will continue to be credited as a co-creator on Narcos. The series had been ramping up its writers room back in April in anticipation of an expected second-season renewal.
Fierro will exec produce alongside Jose Padilha and Eric Newman.
Although the creative team originally envisioned Narcos as a movie, producers told reporters in July at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour that they realized it worked better as an ongoing series. "When you get into the complexities of the drug world, of the characters … you sort of realize you need a lot of time to tell that story," Newman said.
The drama, from Gaumont International Television, premiered Aug. 28 to largely positive reviews. THR chief TV critic Tim Goodman said the series "cuts through the clutter of so many biopics with a wider focus and deeper dive" and said Narcos "Could end up being [a] critically acclaimed international breakthrough … partly because of the writing, acting and directing … has a grittier and more grounded feel to it."
Narcos continues Netflix's successful streak of original programming. Thus far, all of its scripted dramas have gone on to second seasons, including dramas Marco Polo, Orange Is the New Black, Bloodline, Daredevil, Sens8 andOrange Is the New Black as well as comedies BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Grace and Frankie, among others.
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