If you loved
Queen of the South
M.A. Fortin · Series · 2016
What hooked you in Queen of the South was the visceral transformation of a woman navigating dangerous criminal underworlds to claim her own power.
Start with the source
The source
La Reina del Sur
Roberto Stopello · Series · 2011
Books on the same thread
Brimstone
Callie Hart · Book · 2025
Explores: Organized Crime, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity.
Like Queen of the South, this story centers on a woman forced into a position of immense authority, balancing the brutality of organized crime with the necessity of survival.
Breath of Scandal
Sandra Brown · Book · 2013
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Revenge.
If you appreciated the calculated vengeance in Queen of the South, this narrative mirrors that drive as a woman returns home to systematically dismantle those who harmed her.
The Queen's Fool
Philippa Gregory · Book · 2004
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Survival.
Much like the strategic maneuvering seen in Queen of the South, this historical tale follows a woman fighting for survival and status amidst the treacherous rivalries of court life.
Wifey 4 Life
Kiki Swinson · Book · 2010
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Revenge.
This story captures the same high-stakes betrayal found in Queen of the South, following a woman who must rely on her wits to navigate a lethal criminal landscape.
Films on the same thread
Scarface
Film · 1983
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Drug trafficking.
This film provides the raw blueprint for the rise-to-power narrative perfected in Queen of the South, showcasing the violent ambition required to dominate the illegal drug trade.
Divines
Houda Benyamina · Film · 2016
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Drug trafficking.
Echoing the themes of Queen of the South, this film explores the intersection of poverty and ambition, focusing on a young woman attempting to master the local drug trade.
Queen of Katwe
Mira Nair · Film · 2016
Shares a thread with Queen of the South: Female Empowerment.
While the setting differs, this story captures the same spirit of female empowerment and overcoming systemic adversity that drives the central character's journey in Queen of the South.
Jackie Brown
Quentin Tarantino · Film · 1997
Shares 2 threads with Queen of the South: Female Empowerment, Crime Thriller.
You will recognize the clever, double-crossing protagonist of Queen of the South in this film, where a woman outsmarts her criminal superiors to secure her own financial future.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime Junkie
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2026
Explores: justice seeking, obsession, societal impact.
If the investigative intensity of Queen of the South kept you watching, this podcast satisfies that same hunger for uncovering the dark truths behind complex criminal cases.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
This podcast shares the fascination with the mechanics of crime found in Queen of the South, offering a community-driven look at the real-world stories behind criminal actions.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Queen of the South based on the same source material as La Reina del Sur?
Yes, Queen of the South and La Reina del Sur are both adaptations of the same source material. While both series follow the journey of a woman rising to power within the drug trade, they are distinct productions that interpret the original story in different ways.
What is the premise of Queen of the South?
Queen of the South follows Teresa, a woman who flees Mexico after her drug-runner boyfriend is murdered. Upon settling in Dallas, she works to become the country's reigning drug smuggler and seeks to avenge the death of her lover.
Should I watch La Reina del Sur if I finished Queen of the South?
If you enjoyed the narrative arc of Queen of the South, watching La Reina del Sur provides an alternative perspective on the source material. Both shows explore the rise of a female drug smuggler, allowing you to compare how different productions handle the same core story.
How does Queen of the South begin?
Queen of the South begins in Mexico with the murder of Teresa's boyfriend. This tragic event forces Teresa to flee the country and relocate to Dallas, where she begins her transformation from a refugee into a powerful figure in the drug smuggling world.