Netflix’s Ambitious Colombian Thriller ‘Under Siege’ Bows Nov. 6

Netflix is preparing to launch one of its most ambitious international productions to date. Titled “Under Siege” or “Palacio,” the upcoming eight-part fictional series is inspired by the harrowing events of November 6 and 7, 1985. During this time, an M-19 guerrilla commando stormed Colombia’s Palace of Justice in Bogotá, taking over 300 hostages, including Supreme Court justices. The ensuing military assault to retake the building resulted in the deaths and disappearances of at least 94 people, leaving a profound scar on the nation's history.

The series is directed by a talented troika consisting of Edgar Nito, Samir Oliveros, and Berlin Festival winner Jayro Bustamante. The narrative does not merely focus on the critical hours of the siege itself; it also follows the families of the victims as they embarked on a decades-long pursuit of truth and justice. This multi-layered approach ensures that the emotional weight of the tragedy remains at the forefront of the storytelling experience, honoring those who suffered.

Behind the camera, the production scale matches the gravity of the subject matter. Produced by Dynamo—the veteran Colombian company behind hits like “Narcos,” which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary—the series is backed by more than seven years of exhaustive research. Creators utilized historical archives, direct testimonies, and extensive interviews to build a factual and respectful narrative foundation. Natalia Santa, known for her work on “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” serves as the showrunner, leading a writing team that includes Enrique Videla, Enrique Lozano, Jenny Ceballos, and Estefanía Piñeres.

The production values are remarkably high, reflecting Netflix's massive investment in authentic local storytelling. Most of the series was filmed in Bogotá on an expansive set spanning more than 4,000 square meters. This included a meticulously constructed 30-meter structure designed to faithfully recreate the original façade of the Palace of Justice. Francisco Ramos, Netflix’s VP of Latin American Content, previously described the production as a massive undertaking that pushed their standard boundaries to ensure absolute authenticity.

Featuring a talented cast that includes Natalia Reyes, the series arrives as Netflix’s second most ambitious Colombian project, following closely behind the massive adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” By tackling such a sensitive and defining moment in modern Colombian history, “Under Siege” promises to deliver a gripping, high-stakes political thriller. Audiences worldwide will be able to experience this monumental historical drama when it premieres on November 6.