Univision’s ‘El Chapo’ Drama Series Premiere Date Set

“Ripped from the headlines drama” will chronicle drug lord’s life over three decades

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“El Chapo,” a drama that tells the story of one of the world’s most notorious drug lords, is set to premiere on Sunday April 23 on Univision at 8 p.m. EST, the network announced Friday.

Univision has described the series as a “ripped from the headlines drama,” which will chronicle Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán’s story over three decades. The story will air in three separate cycles.

Stage and screen actor Marco de la O (from telenovela “Tanto Amor”), will play El Chapo, Univision announced Friday.

“We are thrilled to have Marco take on the role of ‘El Chapo’ as we begin to unfold the story of the most notorious drug lord of our times, revealing the man behind the myth,” said Christian Gabela, general manager of Story House Entertainment.

The network also announced additional cast members, including Humberto Busto as Attorney Conrado Sol, or “Don Sol,” Juan Carlos Olivas as El Chapo partner El Güero and Alejandro Aguilar as Toño, the man’s main assassin.

Univision will air an extended preview of the series during the network broadcast of the Mexico vs. Costa Rica soccer game on Friday.

The series marks the first co-production between Story House Entertainment and Netflix, which will house the series following its network premiere. This is Story House’s first scripted series. It previously developed documentary series, such as “Hate Rising” and “Residente.”

Guzmán was extradited to the U.S. earlier this year following an escape attempt from a maximum security prison in Mexico in 2015. He had crawled through an opening in the shower of his cell block that led to a mile-long tunnel. He was recaptured six months later.

His next scheduled court appearance is on May 5.

In 2013, he was ranked on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful people, with an estimated fortune of $1 billion. While he was a fugitive, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was offering a $5 million reward for information that would lead to his capture.

“El Chapo” isn’t the only adaptation of the drug lord’s life to hit the screen. Sony Pictures was in final negotiations to option the rights to the book “Hunting El Chapo: The Thrilling Inside Story of The American Lawman Who Captures The World’s Most-Wanted Drug Lord.” “Narcos” writer Chris Brancato is helping to develop “#Cartel,” a drama series based on El Chapo’s life for History.

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