Here’s a guide to the cast and characters of USA Network's hit crime drama Queen Of The South. Based on the Spanish-language telenovela La Reina Del Sur – which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Arturo Pérez-Reverte – Queen Of The South is the rags-to-riches tale of Teresa Mendoza, played by The New Mutants’ Alice Braga.
The crime drama chronicles Teresa’s journey from the barrios of Mexico as she rises through the ranks and becomes queenpin of her own drug empire. In the first season of Queen Of The South, Teresa’s drug-runner boyfriend Güero is seemingly killed which forces her to go on the run. She finds herself in Texas where she’s forced to work as a drug mule for Camila Vargas – the estranged wife of cartel don Epifañio Vargas who heads the U.S. branch of the Vargas cartel in Dallas. Teresa impresses Camila who eventually promotes her to partner and Teresa falls deeper and deeper into the cartel world.
By season 4, Teresa is well on her way to becoming Queen Of The South and is head of her own cartel which now stretches from Mexico to Arizona to New Orleans. While fans wait for the fifth season, here’s a recap of some of the key characters and cast members from the first four seasons of the show.
Alice Braga – Teresa Mendoza
A born survivor from the get-go, Teresa’s quick wit and resourcefulness have seen her escape several sticky situations and build her own lucrative drug empire. Although more compassionate than the average cartel don, Teresa has become hardened somewhat during her time in the business.
Veronica Falcón – Camila Vargas
Camila is the ruthless head of the Vargas cartel’s North American operations who takes Teresa under her wing. After her husband Epifañio dies at the hands of Teresa, Camila swears to get revenge on her former protégé.
Hemky Madera – Pote Galvez
Hemky Madera (Brockmire) plays Pote, a former henchman of Camila’s who swore allegiance to Teresa after she saved his life in season 1. When Teresa broke free of Camila and set up her own cartel, Pote stayed by her side and is now her loyal right-hand man.
Peter Gadiot – James Valdez
James is Camila’s second-in-command but comes to care deeply for Teresa and saves her life several times. By season 3, he’s defected to Teresa’s side and their relationship turns romantic.
Jon-Michael Ecker – Güero
Güero’s apparent death in Queen Of The South season 1 is what kickstarts Teresa’s journey. It eventually transpires he’s still alive and working for the DEA. He and Teresa are reunited but she finds it hard to trust him.