This adaptation of the bestselling novel was originally intended to be a film starring Eva Mendes. Arturo Pérez-Reverte personally approved Kate del Castillo for the television version.
"La Reina del Sur" has been one of the most costly productions ever made, each chapter cost about $10,000.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte published the original novel in 2002. This tells the life of Teresa Mendoza, a young Mexican woman born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, who becomes a famous drug trafficker.
Perez-Reverte has said that the inspiration for this novel came to him when he heard some of the corridos of Los Tigres del Norte, among them "Smuggling and betrayal." In turn, Tigres del Norte created a corrido called "La Reina del Sur".
The Mexican actress, who continues to release films, also participates in the series "Killer Women" produced by Sofia Vergara.