The series is a joint production between Story House Entertainment and Dynamo Producciones for Univision and Netflix, chronicling the life of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán from his beginnings in 1985 as a low-level member of the Guadalajara Cartel to his rise as head of the Sinaloa Cartel and his eventual downfall.

Marco de la O stars as the title character, Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, in this biographical crime thriller series.

Several characters are fictionalized portrayals of real-life figures, such as Humberto Busto's character 'Don Sol' being based on Genaro García Luna, and Iran Castillo's character Vanessa Espinoza being inspired by actress Kate del Castillo.

The show also fictionalizes real Mexican political figures, including portrayals of Presidents Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Felipe Calderón (as Felipe Alarcón), and Enrique Peña Nieto (as Esteban Prieto).

The series premiered on Univision on April 23, 2017, before Netflix released the first season worldwide on June 16, 2017, comprising nine episodes.

Univision confirmed on May 12, 2017 that the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 17, 2017 on Univision and December 15, 2017 on Netflix.

A third season premiered on July 9, 2018 on Univision and was released on Netflix on July 27, 2018.