Narcos: Mexico was originally intended to be which season of Narcos?

Narcos: Mexico was originally intended to be the fourth season of Narcos.

The project began as the planned continuation of the Netflix crime drama after its first three seasons focused mainly on Colombia, Pablo Escobar, and the Cali Cartel. During development, the creative direction changed: the proposed fourth season was reset with a largely new cast and a story centered on Mexico’s drug trade.

Netflix announced in 2018 that the project would become a separate original series titled Narcos: Mexico rather than simply season four of Narcos. The companion series premiered on November 16, 2018, and followed the rise of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo and the Guadalajara Cartel during the 1980s.

This origin explains why the two shows share a fictional universe and several recurring characters, despite having different main casts and national settings. Narcos: Mexico eventually ran for three seasons, with its final season premiering in 2021. It is therefore not the fifth season of Narcos, nor a replacement title for the third season.