El marginal (2016)

A tense Argentine crime drama where an undercover ex-cop navigates the brutal world inside a prison to save a kidnapped girl.

El marginal - Series Information

  • Original Title: El marginal
  • First Air Year: 2016
  • Last Air Year: 2022
  • Created by: Sebastián Ortega, Adrián Caetano
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Crime, Drama
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 5
  • Number of Episodes: 43
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: Spanish
  • Spoken Languages: Spanish
  • First Air Date: June 2, 2016 (United States - TV-MA), June 2, 2016 (France - 12), June 2, 2016 (Mexico - D)
  • Networks: Televisión Pública Argentina, Netflix
  • Production Companies: Underground Producciones, Underground Contenidos
  • Production Countries: Argentina

El marginal - Plot

An ex-cop entered a prison as convicted under a false identity in order to infiltrate within a group of prisoners that has just kidnapped the teenage daughter of an important national judge.

El marginal - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the world of El marginal:

Where to Watch El marginal

Looking for where to watch El marginal?

El marginal - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Sebastián Ortega
  • Adrián Caetano

Main Cast

  • Martina Gusmán
  • Claudio Rissi
  • Nicolás Furtado
  • Gerardo Romano
  • Carlos Portaluppi
  • Jorge Lorenzo
  • Maite Lanata
  • Juan Minujín
  • Abel Ayala
  • Esteban Lamothe

El marginal - FAQs

Where can you stream El marginal online?

El marginal is available to stream on Netflix. The platform carries the full series, making it easy to binge all five seasons. For a complete overview of viewing options available in your region, JustWatch is a reliable resource to check current availability.

Is El marginal based on a true story?

El marginal is not based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from the harsh realities of Argentina's prison system. Creators Sebastián Ortega and Adrián Caetano researched real penitentiary conditions and social dynamics to craft a world that feels viscerally authentic and deeply rooted in Argentine society.

Who plays the main characters in El marginal?

The series features Martina Gusmán, Claudio Rissi, Nicolás Furtado, Gerardo Romano, Carlos Portaluppi, Jorge Lorenzo, Maite Lanata, Juan Minujín, Abel Ayala, and Esteban Lamothe. Claudio Rissi's portrayal of the menacing Mario Borges became one of the most talked-about performances in Argentine television.

What makes El marginal worth watching?

Raw, intense, and brilliantly acted, El marginal stands out as one of Latin America's finest crime dramas. Its unflinching look at prison life, complex moral characters, and tightly wound storytelling earned it widespread critical acclaim and a devoted international audience through Netflix.

How many seasons does El marginal have?

El marginal ran for five seasons totaling 43 episodes. Season 1 had 13 episodes, Seasons 2, 3, and 4 each had 8 episodes, and Season 5 wrapped the story with 6 episodes. The series concluded in 2022 after a six-year run.

What happened to Diosito throughout El marginal?

Diosito, played by Nicolás Furtado, is one of the series' most compelling arcs — a volatile, deeply troubled inmate whose unpredictable nature drives much of the tension across multiple seasons. His journey from dangerous antagonist to a more nuanced figure became a defining thread of the show.

When did El marginal first premiere on television?

El marginal first aired on June 2, 2016, on Televisión Pública Argentina. It later reached a global audience through Netflix, which helped transform the show from a local hit into an internationally recognized crime drama celebrated across Latin America and beyond.

What are some shows similar to El marginal?

Fans of El marginal often enjoy Escape at Dannemora, For Life, and Inside Man for their prison-set tension and moral complexity. La Jauría and Prison Cell 211 also offer similarly gritty, character-driven storytelling with a Latin American or European edge.

More About El marginal

Explore further details about El marginal on these authoritative resources:

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error