Rafael Amaya to Portray El Chapo in Wife's Series

A new bilingual scripted crime drama is in development, focusing on the life of Emma Coronel, wife of drug kingpin Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Coronel will serve as an executive producer and the series will be told from her point of view, exploring themes of power, loyalty, and survival. Actor Rafael Amaya, recognized for his role in "El Señor de los Cielos," is attached to star as Guzmán and also executive produce. Zero Gravity Management and Amaya Productions are involved in the project, with a writer search currently underway.

Guzmán, the former co-founder of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel, was convicted in 2019 and is serving a life sentence. Coronel, a former beauty queen, met Guzmán in 2007 and they married shortly after, sharing twin daughters. She recently completed a three-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering, and was released in 2023. While Guzmán has no involvement, he was reportedly a fan of Amaya's work on "El Señor de los Cielos."

Coronel has expressed dissatisfaction with previous portrayals of herself and Guzmán, particularly noting their inability to replicate his Sinaloense accent. Amaya, hailing from Sonora, uses this accent in his current role. Coronel is also developing a memoir about her prison experiences, which may complement the scripted series. She will have a say in casting decisions for the project.