Every so often, a series comes along that reignites the thrill you felt the first time you watched a true TV classic. For fans still mourning the end of Breaking Bad and its equally brilliant spin-off Better Call Saul, there’s a new contender filling that void – and it’s making waves on Netflix. Gritty, tense and emotionally charged, Queen of the South has all the ingredients of an addictive crime thriller, and then some.
A queen’s rise in a world of cartels
The story follows Teresa Mendoza, a woman forced into the dangerous underworld after the murder of her boyfriend in Mexico. Fleeing to the United States, she unexpectedly finds herself working for the very cartel responsible for his death. Armed with little more than her instincts, a fiercely loyal friend and a mysterious notebook, Teresa navigates a brutal landscape where trust is rare and survival is never guaranteed.
It’s a premise that echoes the high-stakes tension of Breaking Bad, yet with its own unique edge – a female lead whose transformation from vulnerable outsider to calculating cartel boss is both shocking and compelling.
From hidden gem to binge-worthy hit
Adapted from the Spanish novel La Reina del Sur, the series first aired in the US between 2016 and 2021, racking up five seasons and 62 episodes. Now, it’s enjoying a second life on Netflix, where viewers confess to devouring it in just days. The pace is relentless, the plot twists are expertly timed, and the drama never feels forced.
With an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and glowing fan reviews calling it “brilliant,” “full of action” and “impossible to stop watching,” it’s no surprise the series has carved out a loyal following. As one viewer put it: “This isn’t Breaking Bad, but it’s every bit as enjoyable.”
A violent and emotional powerhouse
Much of the show’s strength lies in Alice Braga’s portrayal of Teresa. She brings depth and vulnerability to a character who could easily have been reduced to a stereotype. Instead, we watch her evolve – not just into a ruthless strategist, but into someone constantly fighting to protect the scraps of humanity she has left.
Each season peels back another layer of her rise: uneasy alliances, crushing betrayals, moral compromises and the personal cost of power. It’s not just an action series; it’s a layered human drama set against a realistic social backdrop, tackling loyalty, survival and ambition in equal measure.
Standing tall among the greats
In the crowded field of cartel dramas, Queen of the South more than holds its own against heavyweights like Narcos and Breaking Bad. Its blend of relentless action and emotional depth keeps audiences invested from the first episode to the last. Even years after its original run, it’s gaining new fans every week – proof that word-of-mouth still packs a punch.
If you’re searching for a high-octane series with a magnetic lead and a story that grips harder with every episode, Teresa Mendoza’s journey is one you won’t want to miss.
