Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Luis Estrada (Hell, Herod’s Law) makes his series debut with Netflix’s Las Muertas (The Dead Girls), a six-part dark satire based on Jorge Ibargüengoitia’s classic novel. Set in 1960s Mexico, the story follows sisters Arcángela and Serafina Baladro as they transform a network of brothels into an empire—only to descend into infamy as some of the country’s most feared serial killers.

Alfonso Herrera stars as Simón Corona, a naive baker whose ill-fated romance with Serafina entangles him in the Baladro crime world. After trying to break free and rebuild his life, a tragic turn lands him behind bars—unwittingly placing the Baladro empire under the spotlight of the authorities.

Speaking with Entertainment Affair’s Raffael Alejandro, Estrada revealed his decades-long desire to bring Ibargüengoitia’s novel to the screen: “I discovered Las muertas when I was 15, and from that moment I wanted to adapt it. I always imagined it as a film, but I doubted whether its scope—its characters, its situations—could ever fit into a single movie. Only now, after almost 50 years, has it finally found its form as a series.”

Estrada explained how the novel draws inspiration from the infamous Poquianchis case—the González Valenzuela sisters, convicted of killing dozens of women—while transforming it into a biting satire on corruption, violence, and impunity that still resonates today.

For Herrera, stepping into the project was an obvious choice: “Who doesn’t want to work with Luis Estrada? He’s one of the best directors in Mexico—and the world. Every time he calls, I’ll be there.”

He described his role as both challenging and rewarding, especially in early episodes heavy with intensity and passion. Herrera praised Estrada’s ability to guide actors with respect and care, noting the director’s track record of transforming careers—most notably Damián Alcázar (Herod’s Law) and Joaquín Cosío (El Infierno).

Estrada stressed the series’ ambition, featuring over 170 actors, including appearances from Tony Dalton, Tenoch Huerta, and Paulina Gaitán. Each episode carries its own tone and rhythm, with Chapter 4—focused on Blanca—standing as the emotional centerpiece where “the empire begins to crumble.”

He also highlighted the striking character of La Calaca (Doña Calaca), brought to life by Mauricio Isaac, based on real historical photographs that blurred gender lines.

Netflix is betting big on the series, releasing it in 190 countries, subtitled in 32 languages and dubbed into 16.

Estrada closed with excitement about his ongoing collaboration with Herrera: “Today Alfonso is almost like my son. We’ll keep working together for many years, very soon on a film.”

Las Muertas premieres September 10, 2025 on Netflix.