‘Narcos’ EP: “I Don’t Think The Show In Anyway Glorifies The Narcotics Business”

Netflix
“Who among you has sat down with Sean Penn?” A reporter jokingly (and seriously) posed to the cast and exec producer of Netflix’s Narcos after they took the stage at today’s TCA. The panel included Executive Producer Eric Newman along with the cast Wagner Moura,  Boyd Holbrook, and Pedro Pascal.
In all seriousness the reporter wanted to know if giving such criminals as Pablo Escobar (or El Chapo, whose recent arrest coincided with a Rolling Stone interview conducted by Penn, leading to much speculation about a possible link) a platform was doing more harm then good. Speaking on his particular case,  Newman offered “We took very careful consideration and I think we’re successful in not glorifying these people. As much as we may enjoy watching Wagner play Pablo Escobar and it’s certainly worthy of enjoyment, he’s a murderer. I don’t think the show in anyway glorifies the narcotics business.” Pascal, who plays Javier Pena, further defended the show “A huge appeal of the show is actually clinical is about history and how respectful it is to every perspective. I don’t think there’s anything wrong in terms of examining the greyness of all of it.”
Moura, who plays Pablo Escobar, received a Golden Globe nom for his performance. He spoke on this honor saying “I cannot say it was expected. We were always very proud… I believed the show was at least different or unique.” “I was particularly pleased, we all were, that Wagner was recognized for his unbelievable performance” Newman added “Wagner, who learned another language to play a part, has truly gone above and beyond.” When asked if this attention has affected future seasons Newman said  “it’s hard to adjust mid-stream. The first season comes out, we get the reception, we’re already head-logging season 2… the recognition hasn’t really changed how we approached season 2.” Newman insist there are still many more stories to be told. “Cocaine continues and killing Escobar (the real-life Escobar died in 1993) did very little to slow that down.” Season 2 is slated to premiere this year but no exact date has been announced.