You’ve probably seen the promos for the Apple TV+ hit and wondered where you know those faces from. Honestly, the cast of Las Azules—or Women in Blue—is basically a "who's who" of Latin American cinema and television, but with a specific edge. It isn't just a police procedural. It’s a 1970s period piece set in Mexico City that feels gritty and real, and that’s mostly because the actors aren't just playing "cops." They're playing pioneers in a society that really didn't want them there.
The show is inspired by true events, specifically the first female police force in Mexico. But let’s be real: it’s the performances that keep you from hitting the "back" button.
Bárbara Mori: More than just a Telenovela Icon
If you grew up watching Spanish-language TV, you know Bárbara Mori. Most people immediately jump to Rubí, the legendary telenovela that made her a household name across the globe. But in the cast of Las Azules, she’s doing something entirely different as María.
She's the heart of the show. María is a dedicated housewife whose world falls apart when she discovers her husband’s infidelity, which ironically leads her to the police force. Mori plays this with a sort of quiet, simmering desperation. It’s a 180-degree turn from the glamorous, manipulative roles she took on earlier in her career. You can see the weight of the 1970s on her shoulders—the expectations of being a "good wife" clashing with a sudden, violent need for independence.
What’s interesting is how Mori handles the physical demands. She isn't playing a superhero. She’s playing a woman in her 40s trying to keep up with younger recruits while her personal life is a literal crime scene. It's grounded.
Ximena Sariñana and the transformation of Gabina
Then there’s Ximena Sariñana. Most people know her as a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter with a voice like velvet. Or maybe you remember her as a child star in Luz Clarita. In this series, she plays Gabina, a character who is likely on the autism spectrum, though the show handles this with 1970s-era nuance rather than modern labels.
Gabina is the daughter of a high-ranking police official. Her motivation is complex. She isn't just "joining the family business"; she’s seeking a sense of order in a world that feels chaotic. Sariñana’s performance is incredibly disciplined. She uses very little dialogue to convey a massive amount of internal processing. It’s probably the most underrated performance in the entire cast of Las Azules because it’s so internal.
Natalia Téllez and Amorita’s Rebellion
You might recognize Natalia Téllez from her hosting gigs on Netas Divinas or her roles in various Mexican rom-coms. She has this naturally quirky, energetic screen presence. In Las Azules, she plays Valentina, or "Amorita," who is the rebel of the group.
She represents the burgeoning feminist movement of the era. While María is motivated by a personal crisis, Valentina is motivated by ideology. She wants to tear the system down from the inside. Téllez brings a necessary friction to the group. Without her, the show might feel a bit too much like a standard "underdog" story. She makes it political.
The Men of the Series: Support and Sabotage
The show wouldn't work without the backdrop of the machismo that defined the Mexican police force in 1971.
Christian Tappan plays Guarduño. If you’ve watched Narcos or Griselda, you’ve seen Tappan. He’s a chameleon. Here, he’s the detective who actually sees the value in these women, but he’s still a product of his time. He isn't a "girl boss" ally in the modern sense; he’s a pragmatist who realizes the "Old Boys' Club" is failing to catch a serial killer.
Then you have the husbands and fathers. These roles are almost more important than the villains because they represent the "soft" oppression the women face at home. Leonardo Sbaraglia, a powerhouse in Argentine cinema (think Wild Tales), brings a layer of complexity to the screen that most shows wouldn't bother with. He isn't a cartoonish villain. He’s just a man who cannot fathom a world where his wife has a life outside of him.
Why this specific cast works for a 1971 setting
Director Fernando Rovzar didn't just pick famous people. He picked actors who could handle the "Uncanny Valley" of the 70s.
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The cast of Las Azules had to deal with:
- The Hair and Wardrobe: It sounds superficial, but playing a cop in a mini-skirt and go-go boots (the actual uniform of the time) requires a specific kind of dignity to not look ridiculous.
- The Language: They speak with the slang and cadence of 1970s Mexico City, which is distinct from the modern "Chilango" accent.
- The Social Stakes: Every time these actresses step on screen in uniform, they have to project the feeling of being watched and judged.
The "Undressed Killer" plotline provides the thriller element, but the real "show" is watching these four women—María, Gabina, Valentina, and Ángeles (played by the talented Amorita Rasgado)—form a bond that didn't exist in the social script of the time.
Fact-Checking the "True Story" Element
A lot of people ask if these specific characters were real. Sorta. While the characters themselves are fictionalized for the sake of a TV drama, the "Blue Women" were a real unit established in 1971 by the Mexico City police. They were essentially a PR stunt. The city wanted to look progressive while the government was actually cracked down on student movements.
The actors had to balance this. They are playing characters who are being used as pawns by the government, while simultaneously trying to solve a real string of murders. It’s a double-layered performance.
Key Cast Members and Their Roles:
- Bárbara Mori as María: The "detective" by instinct.
- Ximena Sariñana as Gabina: The technical and observational genius.
- Natalia Téllez as Valentina: The firebrand and activist.
- Amorita Rasgado as Ángeles: The one with the most to lose.
- Miguel Rodarte as Octavio: A veteran officer caught between eras.
What to watch next if you liked this cast
If you finished the series and want to see more from these specific actors, you’ve got options. For Bárbara Mori, skip the soaps and go straight to the film La Mujer de mi Hermano. It shows her range much better.
If Ximena Sariñana caught your eye, her music is actually the best place to go. Her album Mediocre is a classic of the Latin alt-scene.
For the gritty, crime-thriller vibe, look into Sr. Ávila on Max, which also features high-level Mexican production design and some familiar faces from the broader supporting cast.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to dive deeper into the world of Las Azules, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch with the original Spanish audio. Even if you need subtitles, the cadence and the specific 1970s slang used by the cast of Las Azules are lost in the English dub. The "Chilango" accent of that era is part of the character building.
- Look up the "Mataviejitas" case. While the show is set in the 70s, it draws thematic inspiration from various real-life serial killers in Mexico’s history. Understanding the history of the Mexican police force (the DFS and the Judicial) adds a layer of dread to the show.
- Follow the production house, Lemon Studios. They are responsible for some of the best high-end Mexican content lately, and they tend to reuse a "stable" of high-quality character actors you'll recognize across different series.
- Check out the soundtrack. Much of it features Sariñana’s influence or era-appropriate rock en español, which was underground and "rebellious" during the time the show takes place.
The series is a rare example of a period piece that doesn't feel like a costume party. It feels like a memory. That is almost entirely due to the chemistry of the lead women. They don't feel like a group of actors; they feel like a unit.