Kate del Castillo and Sean Penn’s meeting with the world’s most wanted drug lord sparked international headlines, and now the former will share her side of the story in a new biographical series. Netflix has announced that “The Day I Met El Chapo: The Kate del Castillo Story” is set to debut on the streaming giant. Executive produced by del Castillo, the three-part series will be available to stream beginning October 20.
Netflix promises that the project will include “never-before-seen footage and exclusive details of what led to the infamous meeting” between del Castillo, Penn, and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
“As an actress I’ve been given the opportunity to portray fascinating fictional characters, roles I am very proud of. Now I get the chance to tell my story, my reality, my truth. This project will dive into how it began, why I pursued accepting the rights to the life story of one of the most controversial narco figures and what happened after,” said del Castillo.
The series’ creator and exec producer David Broome (“The Biggest Loser”) added, “I was extremely excited to delve into the craziest ‘life imitating art’ saga I’ve ever heard, a story wrapped around a core of complex social and political issues. I’m honored that Kate gave me the opportunity to tell her truth.”
Carlos Armella (“The Land of Silence”) will direct.
Del Castillo already has a hit at Netflix. The Mexican actress stars in “Ingobernable,” a Spanish-language political drama that centers on a fictional first lady. In series’ first episode, Emilia (del Castillo) asks her husband, President Diego Nava, for a divorce. It’s not long before he’s dead and she’s on the lam, accused of murdering him. The first season follows Emilia’s efforts to flee the government officials tracking her. While she rose to national attention as the President’s wife, Emilia proves that she’s totally badass in her own right. The character has been compared to a female Jason Bourne.
“Ingobernable” premiered in March and was renewed for a second season in April.
“It’s been a hard year for me,” del Castillo has said of the El Chapo ordeal and its aftermath. “Of course, it was crazy. Still is. I still can’t go back to Mexico, and legally, I am still working that out, and have charges still.” She explained, “I’m recovering, getting my pieces together again. I’m stronger than I was. I’ve learned so much.”
“No Good Deed,” “Weeds,” and “Under the Same Moon” are among del Castillo’s other acting credits.
