Netflix has launched a series of new shows that will make a big splash at the start of the year 2024. First, there was the thrilling "Fool Me Once" and then the shocking true crime documentary "American Nightmare." And now, Netflix's newest creation, "Griselda," starring Sofia Vergara, is making a big splash on social media.

The biographical crime drama has already skyrocketed onto streamers' most-watched lists, and less than a week after its debut, Griselda has already earned the No. 1 spot. This is ahead of the two Netflix shows mentioned above and subscriber favorites such as "Love on the Spectrum," "Queer Eye," and "Young Sheldon."

Griselda has not only garnered viewer interest. The six-episode season has been well received by critics. So, if you're thinking about adding "Griselda" to your watch list, here's everything you need to know about this new Netflix show.

The new Netflix show about the life of notorious drug lord Griselda Blanco is an engrossing examination of how the ambitious Colombian businesswoman built one of the most profitable cartels in history and became known as the "godmother."

Initially turning to crime to support her family, Griselda (Vergara) soon discovers a talent for wrongdoing and becomes involved in all manner of illegal activities, from smuggling and extortion to more ruthless crimes like kidnapping and murder.

With the unwavering support of her trusted right-hand man Livi (Martín Rodríguez), Griselda becomes a notorious crime boss. But the consequences of her illegal activities loom in the background, and just when it seems that La Jefa ("The Boss") will be unstoppable, personal tragedy and the eyes of the law ensure that Griselda will pay a heavy price for her rise to power.

With the release of the film on Netflix, reviews of Griselda have dropped, and the critical consensus seems to be quite positive. Griselda currently has a very high rating of 88% on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The viewer score, however, is a bit lower at 76%, which is less impressive because viewers are generally kinder than professional critics.

Most critics praised Vergara, an actress usually known for her comedic roles but who gets a chance to showcase her dramatic acting skills here; Empire's Barry Levitt wrote, "Vergara is both a complete terror and a maternal love that nurtures character and is very powerful," and described her on-screen presence as "impressive."

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian described the show as "great fun" and noted that it was a "pulpy and stylish ride," but also cautioned that it was "almost too entertaining given the real-life suffering [Griselda] has caused." Mangan concluded that even with this slight disconnect, the Netflix show is "hugely entertaining, well-paced, and gorgeous throughout."

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter had similar concerns about the show's attempts to soften many of Griselda's actual criminal acts, but praised Vergara's performance: "Griselda gets progressively more dramatically crude, but Vergara keeps it watchable."

[18 [Griselda was co-produced by Eric Newman, showrunner of "Narcos" and "Narcos": all six episodes were directed by Andres Vice, who directed over 15 episodes in the two "Narcos" series. So if you are a "Narcos" fan, "Griselda" is a must-see.

If you enjoyed Sofia Vergara's decade-long portrayal of lovable housewife Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC's hit sitcom "Modern Family," "Griselda" is also worth adding to your watch list. Vergara plays a completely different role in this crime drama, but it's great to see the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress showing her versatility here.

Even if you are not familiar with "Narcos" or Vergara's previous work, "Griselda" is a great film for those craving an underdog story with a slightly sinister edge. With solid ratings and online buzz, it is expected to stay within Netflix's top 10 for some time to come.

And if "Griselda" isn't to your liking, be sure to check out the streaming service's best new shows to watch this week. And if you're looking for movies instead, here's a roundup of the best new movies available for streaming right now.

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