Diego Luna
(Photo : Reuters)

The first season of Narcos on Netflix received commendations and praise from viewers. During the first season, it was one of the most followed documentary movie series on Netflix and still maintains a massive fanbase up until now. 

Now, that 'Narcos: Mexico' has been released on Netflix for another season, many are expecting that it will once again hit the same as with the first season of Narcos. 

The new season of 'Narcos: Mexico' is quite different compared to the first season. Most especially the location. The second season will be bringing its viewers in to Mexico and will let everyone see what the country has under the mask of its colorful festivals and celebration of the Day of the Death.

One of the main characters in the second season is Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo who will be played by Diego Luna. However, it took him months before he signed the contract to play the character of Gallardo.

In real-life, Gallardo was one of the most well-known leaders of cartels in Mexico way back in the 1980s in Guadalajara. Gallardo was arrested in 1989 after he was charged with the kidnapping and murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who went in as an undercover spy of the agency. Galardo was also charged with a series of violent crimes, fraudulent business dealings, and drug smuggling. He was sentenced to 37 years imprisonment. As you may recall, Camarena was played by Michael Pena in the first season.

Why did it take months before Diego Luna signed onto play Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo?

In a published report from Variety, the actor said that it took him months of conversation with showrunner Eric Newman before he signed the contract. During this week's Variety and iHeart Podcast episode "The Big Ticket" he said that he asked the showrunner lots of questions most especially about what they want to trigger in the new series and why this new season is very important for them. Then the actor realized that the new season of Narcos: Mexico does not intend to talk about the characters, but instead the system that led the characters to be involved in the cartels. 

Luna said: "Getting into the shoes of this character, having to portray him was demanding and it's something I'm glad I did because as an actor it pushed me to do stuff I've never done but I'm also really happy it came to me at this time when I'm 40 when I have a family when I know what life is about when I know how to disconnect. I just go to my kids and get reminded of what life is about."

Luna also admitted that when he was in his younger years, like 20 years old, he would have panic attacks at night but not anymore. Likewise, in a statement, he even said that he knew his job and he dedicated so much for his passion. There were times in his life where he sacrificed everything for his job, but those years are over and this is now the right time for him to do "something like this."

What made Narcos popular?

'Narcos', one of the most compelling documentary-series on Netflix, is very popular because of its authenticity. The first three series of 'Narcos' focused on the rise of Colombian Cartels. This time, Luna said: "We are not doing it in English with a weird accent so people can understand it. We have Mexicans playing Mexicans. We are shooting in real locations. We are seeing a country we have never seen because it's not the Day of the Dead, it's not Cancun. Or it's not the times of the revolution and Zapata and Villa. It's the Mexico that's there [now]."

Did Luna communicate with Gallardo?

According to Luna, he did not communicate with Gallardo to help him prepare for the role. Though there were long interviews given to him about Gallardo still, he prefers to read what people said about Gallardo as he feels it could be more useful. Gallardo believed that if you ask a person of who they are they would only give you half of the truth but if you asked people around about that person you will know more.