The official release date of Queen of the South season 5 has been finally revealed. However, it was also confirmed that the upcoming installment will serve as the final one for the crime-drama. That means Teresa Mendoza's (Alice Braga) story is coming to an end.
USA Network recently dropped the trailer of Queen of the South season 5, which also revealed that it will be the series finale. Executive producers Dailyn Rodriguez, Ben Lobato, and David Friendly released a statement shortly after the announcement.
In the statement, they said that they're prouder of the entire cast and crew that joined them in this "magnificent journey." They are also excited to share the "explosive final season" with the devoted fans and thanked Alice Braga who brought Teresa Mendoza to life.
Even before the official announcement, there have been hints that Queen of the South season 5 will be the last one for the series. For instance, series star Peter Gadiot, who plays James Valdez, previously hinted that the crime-drama is ending.
In December 2020, he posted a photo on his Instagram account wherein he's getting ready to film new episodes. He uploaded a selfie of him in character as James, which comes with a caption: "The neck tat is back." What's intriguing about it is that he used the hashtag "#onelasttime."
At the time, fans suspected that Gadiot is hinting about the end of the series. However, there are also speculations that the actor is hinting about his character's fate, which could mean the death of James. Yet, others noted that it would be pointless to bring him back in the story only to be killed off in the end.
For now, fans have to wait and see what the future holds for Gadiot's character since this may not be the major focus of the story. Queen of the South season 5 picks up what transpired in the season 4 finale, with Teresa planning to expand her drug empire in the United States.
She decided to team up with Russian dealer Oksana Volkova (Vera Cherny) to make her plans happen. The two made a deal and the latter used her connection with the Russian mob in New York to sell the products. Teresa will be recognized internationally as a queenpin if the plan is successful.
A new character will also be introduced in the final installment. Pasha Lychnikoff is set to play the recurring role of Kostya, who is described as "military bearing beneath his Saville Row suit." The character is vicious, calculating, extremely dangerous, and is wanted by the CIA.
Queen of the South season 5 premieres on Wednesday, April 7, on USA Network.
