When Narcos first dropped on Netflix in 2015, nobody could have imagined how successful it would be. Along with giving Pedro Pascal a platform to go on to become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, it also helped the streaming service establish itself as a prime platform for original content.
Since Narcos: Mexico ended in 2021, there has been a need on Netflix for a new gripping crime drama. The Gringo Hunters seems to have filled that hole, and the series has received positive reviews. As it develops with more seasons, there’s a chance that it could end up being as successful as Narcos.
Narcos was so Popular it Grew into a Wider Franchise
It’s hard to believe that when Narcos was first released, Pascal was just the guy who got his head crushed by the Mountain in Game of Thrones. Although he’d put in a great performance as Oberyn Martell, he was still relatively unknown back then. It was his part in Narcos that elevated his career, and now Pascal is one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood.
To say that Narcos was a surprise hit is an understatement. The first season received mixed reviews and garnered plenty of criticism. It was initially viewed as too bleak and there were complaints about the quality of Spanish used in the show. However, the series grew in its second and third seasons and became one of the most beloved shows on Netflix.
Part of the reason for the immense success of Narcos was the fact that it spread out into related games that helped it attract more attention. It replicated the model that had worked well for other series such as Game of Thrones, which was developed into mobile and casino games. The related online slot to the HBO series is still one of the most popular UK online casino games, found among other branded titles.
The Gringo Hunters Has a Similar Premise to Narcos
There has only been one season of The Gringo Hunters so far, but it has already drawn comparisons to Narcos. The show has the same gritty atmosphere and is grounded in real life crime stories. It follows a crack team of Mexican police officers who try to take down fugitives on the run from the USA.
The Gringo Hunters has the potential to expand in the same way that Narcos did, tackling different criminals and settings across several seasons. It could also lead to spinoffs and related games in the same way that Narcos did, helping it to reach a wider audience.
Foreign language offerings have often excelled on Netflix, with some of the most successful series of all time being in languages other than English. For example, Squid Game and Money Heist were revelations for the streaming service. The Gringo Hunters could potentially join these if Netflix manages to generate enough buzz around it.
It’s still early days for The Gringo Hunters, but there is a chance that it could grow to be as big or bigger than Narcos. It may even turn some of its actors into major stars, just as Narcos did for Pascal.
