‘Narcos: Mexico’: José María Yazpik Had ‘No Idea’ He Would Play Amado Carrillo Fuentes in the Crime Series

As a follow-up series to Netflix’s Narcos, Narcos: Mexico follows the development of the Mexican drug trade. In the show’s predecessor, actor José María Yazpik played Mexican drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes. Although fans couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Amado, Yazpik once revealed he auditioned for a different character in Narcos. Here’s how the Mexican actor landed the role of the prominent drug lord.

‘Narcos: Mexico’ star José María Yazpik initially auditioned for another character in the series

In an exclusive interview with Collider, Narcos: Mexico showrunner Carlo Bernard and actor José María Yazpik talked about the third and final season of the series. When asked about what interested him in the role of Amado, the Narcos actor revealed he initially auditioned for a different character. In fact, Yazpik said he had “no idea” who he would play after the audition process.

“I had no idea,” he explained. “I actually auditioned for a different character, and my brother said, ‘You got the part, but not the one you auditioned for. And I said, ‘Ahh great. I’m going to be cop number three. [And] they said no, you’re going to be Amado Carrillo Fuentes. And I said, ‘Oh my god, OK.”

Ultimately, Yazpik’s brother told him that he’d play Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the notorious Mexican drug lord. In addition, the character’s story would most likely continue in Narcos: Mexico. “My brother said, ‘If they’re introducing Amado Carrillo in Narcos: Columbia, they have to talk about Mexico if they keep doing the show,” he continued. “So, my brother saw [the vision], and I didn’t. But I’m very thankful for everything that’s happened to [the series].”

Who is Amado Carrillo Fuentes?

Amado Carrillo Fuentes was a Mexican drug lord that sezied control over the Juárez Cartel after killing his superior Rafael Aguilar Guajardo. Fuentes earned the nickname “El Señor de Los Cielos” (The Lord of the Skies) because of the large jets he used to transport drugs. Also, he was known for laundering money from Columbia to pay for his fleets. 

In Narcos: Mexico Season 3, the final episode explores Fuentes’ unexpected death. Fuentes died in a Mexican hospital in July 1997. After undergoing extensive surgery to change his appearance, Fuentes died on the operating table. Before the surgery, the drug lord was being investigated by the Mexican and U.S authorities. 

Why is ‘Narcos: Mexico’ ending after three seasons?

The third installment of Narcos: Mexico will mark the end of the series. According to Newsweek, Netflix renewed the show for a third season in October 2020. However, the streaming service announced Narcos: Mexico Season 3 will be the last. The platform didn’t give a reason behind the decision. But, it’s worth noting its predecessor, Narcos, ended after three seasons. So, it’s a possibility the creators chose to end Narcos: Mexico with the same number of seasons. 

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Narcos: Mexico showrunner Carlo Bernard said the final installment would delve into the “origin story” of the modern drug war. “I saw this season as an origin story of the modern world that we live in,” he explained. 

Bernard continued, “For me, it felt like bringing the show up to that spot where we now recognize, for better or for worse, made sense as a place to stop it. The show has been able to lift the curtains and show you how this thing began, how it evolved. Not to say that other stories wouldn’t be compelling going forward. But to me, stopping at the moment where we had delivered the world that we now live in today made sense, thematically and narratively.”

Narcos: Mexico Season 3 is streaming now on Netflix