Based on the novel: "Queen of the South" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Camila, a main character in the television series, does not exist in the book. The author's character was partly inspired by real-life Mexican drug lord Sandra Avila Beltran who was also known as "La Reina del Pacífico" (Queen of the Pacific).
Alice Braga, who portrays Mexican Drug Lord Teresa Mendoza is actually Brazilian, not Mexican.
Actor Hemky Madera (Pote) initially auditioned to play Alice Braga (Teresa)'s father but ended up playing her sicario and trusted friend instead.
Alice Braga marks the second time a Brazilian born actor/actress portrays a drug Lord on a major TV show; the other was Wagner Moura in Narcos (2015).