Netflix’s 5-Season Crime Thriller Is a Narcos Replacement Worth Binge-Watching

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If you enjoyed Narcos, there’s a great new crime thriller on Netflix you should check out. It’s still a fantastic show to binge-watch, even years after it first came out and ended – over a decade since its premiere and five years since the final season.

The first season of this thrilling crime show was a hit with viewers, earning an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Los Angeles Times called it a “wild ride through a fun house,” and the score is comparable to the 95% audience approval that the acclaimed show Narcos received when it first premiered in 2015.

Queen Of The South Is A Great Narcos Replacement – What It’s About

If you enjoyed shows like Narcos, you’ll likely be hooked by Queen of the South. It’s a gripping crime series with five seasons and 62 episodes, offering plenty of entertainment for a long binge-watching session – enough to keep you occupied well into January 2026.

The series centers on Teresa Mendoza, portrayed by Alice Brega (known from I Am Legend and Dark Matter), who flees Mexico after her boyfriend, connected to a powerful drug cartel, is killed. Seeking justice for his murder, Teresa finds her way to Dallas, Texas, and starts building her own drug smuggling operation.

I first discovered Queen of the South on USA Network, and I was immediately hooked – especially knowing it came from the same creative team behind Mr. Robot, which I loved! Each episode is usually around 40-42 minutes long, but the best part about watching it on Netflix, as a Standard or Premium member, is that you can binge-watch the entire series without any commercial breaks. It really lets you get lost in the show’s thrilling, fast-paced story.

All 5 Seasons Of Queen Of The South Are Still Worth Binge-Watching

Like the show Narcos, Queen of the South tells the story of someone becoming a powerful drug cartel leader. While it’s not a direct retelling of real events, the main character, Teresa, is inspired by the life of Sandra Ávila Beltrán, a notorious Mexican drug trafficker known as “Queen of the Pacific.”

As a huge fan of crime dramas, I have to say Queen of the South really stands out. It’s not just another show about cartels – the action is genuinely exciting and keeps the pace moving. It’s the kind of series that immediately pulls you in and makes you want to keep watching – seriously, it’s hard to stop at just one episode! It’s a full-on thrill ride, and I always found myself hitting ‘play next’ without even thinking.

Though Teresa is the central character in the show, the gritty criminal world she navigates feels similar to the one in Netflix’s Ozark. She’s constantly dealing with crooked cops, politicians, and drug traffickers, all vying for control and money. If you enjoyed season 4 of Mayor of Kingstown and are searching for another intense crime drama, Queen of the South is a great option.

Even though it started airing in 2016, Queen of the South remains a compelling show. If you enjoy crime dramas with a quick pace and strong storytelling, like Narcos, Ozark, or Breaking Bad, you should definitely check out this underrated series, now available on Netflix.

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2026-01-08 01:38