I'm just glad it wasn't Eva Mendes

I like the actress chosen. She has the youth and athletic rigor that seems to be required for the role. Love Penelope and Salma, but nah - can't see them pulling this off

AGREED!
but she may be too famous for show that isn't on Netflix or a premium channel like HBO/SHOWTIME
someone else I like
Adria Arjona from True Detective
but shes on Narcos right now so

They are referring to the movie, which Eva is playing the character.

You do realize it is not Eva Mendes playing the role, right? Alice Braga is a Brazilian actress who has been working for years in both Hollywood Feature Films and International Films with quite a following. (I am Legend with Will Smith, Elysium with Matt Damon, Predators with Adrian Brody just to name a few) go check her out on the www.imdb.com. She is very talented and just gorgeous. I set my DVR to watch this pilot strictly because I caught the teaser and saw that she was in a new seriesI admire her work quite a bit. I think she is perfect in this role and did a fantastic job.and has great chemistry with Jon Ecker who plays Guero. Penelope Cruz? She is way too old for this role.Selma too.while they are both great actresses, they are middle aged, Teresa is young. I think they cast this show perfectly. I can't wait for the next episode!

Alice Braga is great. Loved her in City of God. But I am kind of disappointed they chose a Portuguese-speaking Brazilian to play a Mexican queenpin of crime. Why not use a Mexican actress in the role?

Nobody could ever play this role as well as Kate Del Castillo did. She's got that toughness about her that Mendes, Hayek just don't got.

Alice Braga is a great choice. I am happy they went with some less known in the US.

Both Cruz and Hayek are well over 40 now, unfortunately. Alice Braga is early 30s and can look younger.
Too late to die Young

Yeah, I'm well aware of how unreliable they are. lol Good to here she is still onboard.
D
"The children being kidnapped and enslaved isn't portrayed in a particularly malicious fashion."

Eva is still attached to the role! IMDB is a very unreliable source when it comes to movies in the early stages of production. Production was entirely shut down and nearly shelved after the conflict in Mexico, and they are still trying to either convince Jonathan to come back on board or to find a new director, but this project is not over.

Perez-Reverte writes that the main character isn't a particularly attractive woman. That would leave all of the above out. But obviously, they will ignore all of that for an A-lister no doubt.
What ever happened to Eva Mendes? She was attached to this film I read and ready to go to work.
D
"The children being kidnapped and enslaved isn't portrayed in a particularly malicious fashion."

Maybe, just maybe, Salma Hayek. But definitely not Penelope, as I imagined her.
I teach you to lie, cheat, and steal, and when I turn my back you wait in line?

Salma Hayek ALWAYS wanted and expresed interest to do this role But she never could get the rights to do the movie

Thanks for the clarification. I don't know why I thought she was Puerto Rican.
I think that what is happening is that they are looking for the hottest ticket right now and that would be Mendes.
Another EXCELLENT choice would have been Paty Manterola.

Mendes is Cuban American. When I heard about this, I immediately thought that Salam Hayek would own this role. I wonder if she auditioned for the part?