Kate del Castillo returns to Telemundo in the super series “Dueños del Paraiso”

Telemundo announced the return to Spanish-language television of internationally-acclaimed actress Kate del Castillo in its original super series “Dueños del Paraiso” (Owners of Paradise), one of the network’s most ambitious projects announced at its upfront presentation in New York last night.  Kate del Castillo returns to Telemundo following the success of the popular series “La Reina Del Sur” (Queen of the South), which became the highest rated program in the network’s history, averaging nearly 4.2 million total viewers and over 2.8 million adults 18-49, according to Nielsen.  One of the most prominent Hispanic actresses, Kate has a wide-ranging career in film, theater and television with more than 50 motion pictures and television series among her credits.  

“It is our honor to have Kate del Castillo back for an original Telemundo production,” said Joshua Mintz, Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming and General Manager of Telemundo Studios.  “Her art, professionalism, and drive are the perfect combination for this Super Series.”

“I'm excited to return to Telemundo for this mega production” said Kate.  “If the story of Teresa Mendoza captivated audiences not only in the US but also around the world, wait until you meet Anastasia Cardona in this story inspired by real-life events.”

“Dueños del Paraíso” (Owners of Paradise), an original story by Pablo Illanes inspired by real-life events during the height of the 1980s drug trade era in Miami, stars Kate Del Castillo (“La Reina Del Sur”) as Anastasia Cardona, the widow of a well-known Mexican drug lord who has become psychologically disturbed by the violence that has surrounded her.  When she partners up with two local cocaine traffickers to take on the Santa Norma cartel, they become the target of the so-called “drug wars,” transforming the streets of South Florida into a terrifying battlefield.

Kate del Castillo began acting at a young age, but her role in the telenovela "Muchachitas" is what led her to stardom in her native Mexico.  Her telenovelas have aired multiple times in more than 100 countries worldwide.  She was appointed Ambassador for the Mexican Commission on Human Rights to combat human trafficking in 2009, and launched the Blue Heart campaign in Mexico City with U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Mira Sorvino in 2010.  Kate recently starred in the coveted lead role of “La Reina del Sur” (Queen of the South), Telemundo’s most ambitious and record-breaking prime time original series.  Del Castillo broke through in America as a result of her award-winning performance in the hit Fox Searchlight/Weinstein movie “Under the Same Moon,” which is to date one of the highest-grossing Spanish-language theatrical releases in U.S. history and appeared as a guest star in the fifth season of the Showtime hit comedy series “Weeds.”  In 2014, the actress has five movies set for release, including Guillermo del Toro’s “The Tree of Life” and the eagerly anticipated “The 33,” co-starring Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche, based on the true story of the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days following a mine collapse.  Currently Kate is starring in The Vagina Monologues on Broadway.