‘Narcos’ Star Damián Alcázar Set for Buzzy Latino Gumshoe Thriller-Comedy ‘Rookies’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Damián Alcázar, a lead in “Narcos” as Pablo Escobar’s successor, Cali mob boss Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, is attached to star in “Rookies,” the TV series debut as a writer-director of top Colombian film director José Luis Rugeles.

Breaking out with Cannes 2015 Un Certain Regard title “Alias María,” Rugeles, one of Colombia’s most prominent film directors, has also helmed of late 2022’s “Rebellion” and “The Awakening,” a best selling title at last December’s Ventana Sur.

A prize winner at May’s Conecta Magaluf-Mallorca, “Rookies” (“Oficina de Detectives”) is set up at Rhayuela Films, a top Colombian production house behind the Wild Bunch-sold “El Páramo” and first HBO Max series in Colombia, “A Thousand Fangs.” 

Now being brought to market in Latin America at this week’s Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), “Rookies” stars Alcázar as Toro, one of two strangers who discover they are half-brothers the same day they inherit a detective agency. Trapped by the agency, they discover their father didn’t die of old age: he died because he knew too much. And now they know too much too.

Díaz, the other half brother, is played by Christian Tappan, star of “La Reina del Sur” and more recently Netflix hit “The Hijacking of Flight 601.”

A distinctly Latino gumshoe tropical thriller take on the detective procedural, “‘Rookies’ is a series that moves to the rhythm of cumbia, featuring ordinary people as its protagonists. They become detectives by accident and their motivations stem not from a calling or a thirst for justice, but from the need to survive,” Rugeles told Variety. 

“With elements of a more Latin and popular noir style, the cases in ‘Rookies’ are solved through mistakes, clumsiness, and the strength of the group. A group of misfits who choose to be a family,” he added.

The series is currently in the middle stages of development; a market tour is planned this year. Rhayuela is looking for Mexican co-producers to join the financing process and enrich the story with their creative input, A complete sales bible is available.

“Among the more than 60 films I’ve shot as an actor, “García,” directed by José Luis Rugeles, is one of my favorites. “Chepe’s” intelligent, sensitive direction made its shoot one of the best experiences in my career,” Alcázar told Variety. 

“I’m now invited again to collaborate with him, on the series project ‘Rookies,” he added. “It will be a pleasure to address and enjoy again a new story, created and directed by my dear friend and director. I hope he’ll be able to put it together soon. I already see myself on set, enjoying “Chepe’s” dark but endearing humor and his intelligent social critique.”     

“Counting on José Luis Rugeles gave me the confidence to submerge in the universe of the series and give life to Díaz, an detective by accident; a hero who achieves his objectives almost without design, guided by his hallmark ingenuity,” added Tappan. 

“The combination of dark humor, and thriller and popular culture elements gives the series a very singular identity,” he added.