Cast of Queen of the South: Stars Behind The Drug Cartel Inspired TV Show

Quick Facts

If not the most popular television series on the air today, Queen of the South is definitely among the most-watched. The show revolves around the life of Teresa Mendoza and her involvement in drug business after the death of her boyfriend. She finally finds herself at the top of the drug cartel. Of course, the TV drama is known to be based on the best selling novel, La Reina Del Sur, written by Arturo Pérez-Reverte but whether or not the show’s storyline and characters are has remained a question that fans of the show are eager to know. Thankfully, , one of the cast members of Queen of the South was kind enough to state that the widely watched TV series is purely based on fiction, although they are influenced by some female cartel leaders.

Teresa Mendoza’s quest for revenge was what initially made her join the gang but after getting involved, she now aims at becoming the queen of the drug world in Mexico. Let’s meet the entire cast of Queen of the South who are behind the drug cartel inspired TV show.

The Cast Members of Queen of the South

Alice Braga

Starring as the show’s lead character Teresa Mendoza is Brazilian actress Alice Braga. Following the murder of her drug-dealing boyfriend, Teresa flees Mexico to the United States to avoid suffering the same fate as her boyfriend. She gets tired of being on the run and with her mind bent on avenging her boyfriend’s death, she finds a way to bring down the leader of the gang who ordered her boyfriend’s death and is after her as well. Teresa joins the drug trafficking world and changes her fortune from being poor into a very wealthy woman and a force to reckon with in the drug world.

Alice Braga, a leading cast member of Queen of the South was born to Brazilian actress Ana Braga, in São Paulo, Brazil. Alice began acting professionally in 1998 and has starred in over 30 feature films and TV shows. She is also a recipient of multiple awards, having earned 9 award wins from 12 nominations.

Veronica Falcon

Veronica Falcón portrayed Doña Camila Vargas, the wife of Don Epifañio, the head of the Vargas Cartel. Doña Camila heads the Vargas Cartel branch in North America.

Veronica is a Mexican actress born in Mexico. She is a highly respected Mexican actress and is regarded as an exceptionally talented and versatile actress. She has had an active acting career for over three decades, starring in films, TV shows, and stage performances. Veronica moved to the United States in 2015 and it wasn’t long upon her arrival that she secured the role of Doña Camila Vargas in Queen of the South. She now resides in Los Angeles, California.

Justina Machado

Justina Machado’s role in Queen of the South is as Brenda Parra, the best friend of the lead character Teresa at the beginning of the show. She is also one of the high-ranking transporters for the Vargas Cartel. Justina portrayed her role as Brenda Parra in 13 episodes of the show’s first season and later as a guest star in two episodes of the fourth season.

Machado is an American actress born on September 6, 1972, in Chicago. With over 25 years of acting experience under her belt, she has starred in 20 feature films and 52 TV shows. She is currently starring on Netflix’s One Day at a Time as Penelope Alvarez.

Peter Gadiot

joined the cast of the show as James Valdez, Doña Camila’s right-hand man. Peter portrayed his role on the show in 39 episodes from the beginning of the show in 2016 to the end of the latest season in 2019. James was among the main characters on the show’s first three seasons but appeared as a guest star on the show’s fourth season.

Peter Gadiot was born in London, England. The English actor was born on January 2, 1986. He began his acting career in 2010 and has starred in TV shows and films such as Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, My Spy Family, The Forbidden Girl, Matador, and Supergirl.

Hemky Madera

Hemky Madera played the role of Pote Galvez, an ex-lieutenant of the Vargas Cartel turned close ally of Teresa. Madera has portrayed his role as Pote Galvez in 45 episodes of the show, the second cast member with the highest appearance on the show.

Madera is an American-born Dominican Republic actor. He was born in Queens, New York, on January 26, 1977, to Dominican parents. He began his acting career in 2000 and has starred in 35 films and 31 TV shows.

Other cast members of the TV series include Alfonso Herrera, Gerardo Taracena, David Andrews, Joaquim de Almeida, Nick Sagar, Jon-Michael Ecker, Yancey Arias.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.