Jose Maria Yazpik on The Gringo Hunters, Complex Roles, and Telling Stories That Matter
José María Yazpik is an actor whose dynamic career spans film, television, and theater, capturing audiences with his layered performances and charming screen presence. He first gained international acclaim with his striking portrayal of Amado Carrillo “El Señor de los Cielos” in the celebrated series Narcos, where his chilling, charismatic turn propelled him to global recognition. More recently, he took on the character of Rio Morales in the Sony Pictures Spiderverse film Madame Web, demonstrating range within both gritty drama and blockbuster-franchise environments.
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A career shaped by bold choices has even led Yazpik to standout roles in high-stakes streaming dramas like Apple TV+’s Now & Then and Prime Video’s Apocalypse Z, where he continues to command empathy while exploring emotional depth and moral ambiguity. In his latest series The Gringo Hunters, which just dropped via Netflix, Yazpik steps into another complex role—this time as Meyer-Rodriguez, a key figure within a covert Mexican police unit tasked with tracking down American fugitives hiding across the border. The show introduces viewers to a team inspired by real-life officers known for their precision, strategy, and ability to operate in the legal and political gray zone. It’s a gripping, cross-border crime thriller that challenges familiar narratives around power, accountability, and justice.
Now streaming globally and earning praise for its fresh perspective, The Gringo Hunters adds yet another standout project to Yazpik’s resume—and he’s breaking it all down for us.
Congratulations on the release of The Gringo Hunters! What was the initial hook for you with Meyer-Rodriguez? Was there something about the character that stood out right away?
José María Yazpik: Thanks! I lived many years in Tijuana, and I truly love that place. I spent most of my formative years there, so it is a very important part of my life, and it molded me into the person I am today. Needless to say, I have many very good friends who still live there, so I know several Meyer-Rodriguez-type people. I wanted to have fun doing a little bit of a homage to them through this character.
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The show centers on a team of Mexican officers tracking American fugitives—a story rooted in real-life cases. What was it like stepping into a project that draws from that kind of cross-border work?
José María Yazpik: It was surprising to learn about the real Gringo Hunters and it was definitely a plus to the series to represent something that actually happened. It puts the narrative on another level because it is usually the other way around, Mexican criminals being caught by US agents and sent back to Mexico.
How was the experience of shooting in places like Tijuana and Ensenada? Did the setting help you get into the character’s world?
José María Yazpik: [Because] I lived there for many years and know the places like the back of my hand. It was a lot of fun to go back and relive so many different moments. Everything worked for my character in that sense.
What do you hope people take away from the series—especially those seeing this kind of story for the first time?
José María Yazpik: I hope it opens conversations about the importance of both Mexico and the US working together, respecting each other and understanding that we are linked in a very special way.
You’ve jumped between all kinds of genres over the years. At this point, what usually helps you decide to say yes to a project?
José María Yazpik: I want to have fun. I’m always looking out for that possibility. Also, working with people that I can learn from. That is a very important piece of my decision-making as to which project I should do.
