Eric Newman, showrunner of “Narcos” has confirmed that the second season of the Netflix crime thriller series will see the death of Wagner Moura’s Pablo Escobar. Fans are now worried that Escobar’s death will mean the end of the series as well.
“Narcos” is based on the real life of the notorious Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar who became a billionaire through production and distribution of cocaine.
The pilot season told most of the events that took place in Escobar’s life from the 70s when he entered the cocaine manufacturing business until his escape in 1992 from La Catedral prison. The first season was told from the perspective of DEA Agent Steve Murphy, played by Boyd Holbrook.
Newman says that the death of Moura’s character was already in writing because they really wanted to stay true to real-life events. It is inevitable that the lead character will meet his demise by the end of Season 2.
The executive producer adds that the design of the show is to tell 15 years of history in Season 1. After Escobar’s escape in La Catedral prison 1992, he only has 18 months to live and that is something they can’t change.
The showrunner says that if they could find a way to keep Wagner on the show, they will but his character really has to die in the upcoming season.
On whether Season 2 is the last for “Narcos,” Newman says that there are a number of things that can happen after Escobar’s death and while they have not yet committed to what stories these will be, there’s obviously a lot more to tell.
However, Crossmap reports that the sophomore season is indeed the last of “Narcos” as its original showrunner Adam Fiero, has left the show even before Season 1 came to an end.
The second season will be handled by Jose Padilha who also directed the first two episodes of Season 1. Padilha and Newman are now in-charge of the series.
Interestingly, the show has had a lot of showrunners despite the fact that it is still a fresh series. It’s first executive producer and co-creator Chris Brancato left the series midway through the production of Season 1 in favor of ABC’s “Of Kings and Prophets.”
Judging by the timeline of events in Escobar’s life, it’s safe to say that Season 2 will see the drug lord escaping authorities and eventually being killed by the Colombian National Police.
Netflix has not yet given an exact premiere date for the show, but speculations say that it is to premiere sometime this August just like its first season.
The sophomore season is also expected to consist of 10 episodes following the pattern of the previous season.
Ecumenical News reports that the August target date was pushed back by the streaming service. The website notes that the delay could result in the show’s cancellation.
Fans are really hoping that the producers can find a way to stretch the show to see more seasons with Moura portraying Escobar.
Some fans have noted that Season 1 covered a large phase in his life thus leaving the writers no more room but to incorporate his death already in the next season.
Most of the highlights of his fugitive life were already seen in the first season. It established how he became a black marketer in Medellin before going into business together with the Chilean exile Mateo Moreno.
Reports say that a third season is still possible and will focus on the aftermath of Escobar’s death.
Speculations say that since Murphy is also a focal character in the show, the possible third season will focus on him and his mission to combat illegal drugs entering the US territory and how Escobar’s death has helped his reputation in the DEA.