Smuggler's Run (series)

Smuggler's Run cover

***Smuggler's Run*** is a 2022 American crime drama television series based off of the book by the same name. The series follows Gustavo Martinez and the rise of the Dal Maso Criminal Empire. The series was both produced and directed by the young Tyler Fusco, who also wrote the book that the show is based off of. The show is set in the tropical climate of the Florida Keys, and the hot humid location of Mexico. The shows title is a homage to the main character, Gustavo, smuggling and trafficking drugs and guns while being on the run from the DEA and rival orgainizations. There are a total of five finished seasons, with a overall total of fifty episodes.

The show also consists of a large cast of characters. José María Yazpik plays the main character, Gustavo Martinez, a ruthless drug lord slowly building up his criminal empire. Tyler Fusco plays himself, a young local criminal who runs the Key Largo Mob. Yessica Borroto Perryman plays Isabella Martinez, the wife of Gustavo. Fermín Martínez plays Jorge José Morello, the ruthless leader of the La Clave Drug Cartel. Hector Oaks plays Stan Benton, a nosy DEA agent who is on Gustavo's case. Steven Ogg plays Slate Morningham, a crazed and corrupt DEA agent who travels to the Keys to investigate the disappearance of Stan, whilst also looking into Gustavo. There are many more characters in the series than just these main characters.

*Smuggler's Run'*s first season received generally positive reviews, while the rest of its run received unanimous critical acclaim. Since its conclusion, the show has been lauded by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time. When the show first aired, the viewership was highly positive, having over 9 million viewers per episode. After the second season was announced, the critics all over the world went insane, and a trailer for the second season was released on the Pegassi YouTube channel. Gustavo Martinez' actor, José María Yazpik won a Golden Globe award for Best Character Portrayed In a Drama Series 4 times. Tyler Fusco won a Golden Globe Award for the Best Show Directed and Produced, and The Best Supporting Character In a Drama Series 6 times.

## Production

### Conception

The series was originally based upon the book series by the same name. The book series had the same concept, plot and characters. Tyler Fusco decided that he wanted to turn the book series into a television series. Tyler expressed interest in creating a series in which the protagonist of the story became the antagonist. Originally however, Tyler wanted to change the name of the show to *Gunrunning*, but he ultimately decided to keep the *Smuggler's Run* name.

Tyler has stated that it was difficult to develop a story for Gustavo Martinez because the character was very dark. Tyler later said that the idea of Gustavo's character intrigued him so much that he "didn't really give much thought on how well it would look or work", stating that the premise made him want to give up because it was "such an odd, dark story" that could have difficulties being pitched to studios. During the course of the series, as time progressed, Tyler and the writing staff made Gustavo increasingly unsympathetic.

The show is set in the tropical and sunny climate of the Florida Keys. Most of the main filming locations include Key Largo and Key West. Daytona Beach was also a minor filming location in the series, serving as the home city of Tyler and Annemarie. The film crew constructed a set in the Keys after extensively studying the entirety of the area.

### Casting

"*If you want to cast someone to portray a cruel and ruthless character, your gonna want to do your homework. I chose José for the role due to his sometimes menacing and demeaning appearance. Props to the clothing and costume designer for making José look even more like a heartless drug lord.*"

- Tyler Fusco on why he casted José María Yazpik as Gustavo Martinez.

Tyler casted José María Yazpik as Gustavo due to his viewing of José's portrayal on the hit Netflix series called Narcos. On Narcos, José plays Amado Carillo Fuentes, a real life drug lord. Tyler saw potential in José's acting skills and menacing demeanor. At first Tyler was hesitant in casting José as the lead role, but after viewing his audition tape, he immediately knew that José was the one.

Tyler had trouble finding an actor for the secondary protagonist of the series, which would be the best friend to Gustavo and the second-in-command to the empire. He went through thousands of auditions and acting tapes, but he couldn't find an actor/actress that would fit the character. Tyler then did the unthinkable, and casted himself for the role. He would play a criminalized version of himself, having the same name as his real life counterpart.

### Realism and accuracy

Many people wonder why the elements of the show is so realistic. That's because Tyler Fusco got a real life DEA agent who was involved in the 80's drug war named Chris Feistl. Chris helped Tyler make the show accurate in the aspects of the drug and gun trade. Chris also assisted Tyler on the aspect of the drugs itself. He helped Tyler understand how the cocaine trade worked, and how the cocaine was and still is manufactured. Tyler also received help from a gun manufacturer. This gun manufacturer helped Tyler understand how guns are manufactured and sold sometimes illegally.

Both of these elements make the show feel very realistic in the aspect of the drug and gun trade, which is a key part in the show.

## Episodes

### Season 1

* Welcome to the Florida Keys
* The Old Man and the Gun
* Stuck Under the Ice
* How to Sell Cocaine
* Drowning
* Outlaw
* El Trato
* Dead By the Docks
* El Hombre
* Sold

### Season 2

* The Gun Run
* It Came From the Keys
* A Sorry Excuse
* He Dropped Dead
* Cops & Robbers
* Fighting the Law
* Cayendo Del Cielo
* Guns 'n Roses
* The Ballad of Oscar Gonzales
* The Golden Vice Casino Heist

### Season 3

* The Drug War
* Imperio
* Muerto con un Toque
* Almost at the End
* Truth or Dare
* Meeting the Devil
* The Rosito
* Free Fall
* Desplomado
* Alone at Last

### Season 4

* A Final Stare
* Wine
* Dealing with Wolves
* Red Fog
* Mindless Fraud
* Disparo
* Wave of Regret
* Blown to Shreds
* Waterfront Wars
* The Grand Opening

### Season 5

* The Beginning of the End
* Wounds From the Dark
* Healing
* Lack of Trust
* Oak Maples
* Lock and Load
* Rags to Riches
* Money Problems
* The Conclusion