Sofia Vergara agreed to Griselda to challenge herself after her brother’s tragic death from drug addiction

Portraying cartel boss Griselda Blanco demanded more than just a physical transformation from Sofía Vergara; it also led her to confront emotional aspects of her past. The Colombian actress delved into the parallels between herself and the drug lord, drawing from her own family’s encounters with grief to shape her portrayal in Netflix’s Griselda.

Vergara revealed on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast that her older brother, who had been involved in the drug trade for a considerable period, was tragically killed in Colombia during the ’90s.

Vergara elaborated on the impact of her older brother’s murder and its repercussions on her family, leading them to seek refuge in Miami. Recalling the tragic event from the ’90s, she explained how their uncertainty about the situation put the entire family in danger, as they were unaware of the perpetrators. She shared these details with her former Modern Family costar.

She, along with her mother and two other siblings, departed from their home country. At that time, Vergara was already a mother to her 3-year-old son Manolo, as well as an aunt to a 2-year-old niece. Reflecting on the challenges, she still wonders how she managed to care for her child and family at the age of 21.

As Ferguson highlighted the parallels between the actress’ life and her character, Vergara had previously remarked on her similarities to Blanco at the show’s premiere in Miami. “We are both Colombian, we are both immigrants, we are both mothers, we are both women,” she stated.

The show follows Griselda Blanco, a formidable crime boss, as she ascends in the Miami drug scene, driven by her quest for power and riches. However, her path is riddled with drug use, paranoia, and betrayal, ultimately leading to her downfall. Her actions result in numerous deaths, including that of a child. In a bid to evade retaliation from the cartel, Griselda surrenders to the police, only to encounter unexpected consequences

The miniseries made its debut on Netflix on January 25, 2024, comprising six hour-long episodes. It garnered generally favorable reviews from critics, with particular acclaim directed towards Vergara’s performance. Within its first week of release, it soared to number one in 89 countries and dominated Netflix’s Global Weekly Top 10 TV chart.