While some Netflix hits have become cultural sensations, countless other titles on Netflix reach impressive numbers, while still remaining under the radar. The Mexican telenovela Rosario Tijeras, for instance, is the perfect example. While most American audiences might not have heard of the show, the four-season crime series is one of Netflix’s biggest crime shows. According to FlixPatrol, Rosario Tijeras racked up 303.4 million hours watched and 7.6 million views in the first half of 2025, becoming the 15th most popular action show worldwide. With acclaimed shows like The Equalizer and Designated Survivor slightly above it on the list, Rosario Tijeras is certainly establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with.
What Is ‘Rosario Tijeras’ About?
Bárbara de Regil in Rosario Tijeras.Image via Netflix
Based on the original novel by Jorge Franco, Rosario Tijeras follows the tumultuous life of Rosario (Bárbara de Regil), a beautiful and hardened woman who works as an assassin in the drug and crime-infested streets of Mexico City. Shaped by trauma, abuse, and systemic inequality, Rosario has no choice but to follow the motto “kill or be killed,” which lands her in hot water with drug lords and gangs time and time again. The series starts off with Rosario being shot and in critical condition in the hospital, with the series unfolding her life story and the events that put her in danger in the first place.
Action aside, Rosario Tijeras also follows a tragic love story between Rosario and two men, Emilio (Antonio Gaona) and Antonio (José María de Tavira), who are both from opposite social backgrounds to her. As those relationships deepen, and highlight the sharp class divides in the country, the series explores themes of loyalty, survival, revenge, and the lenghts women will go to in order to protect themselves from violent environments. In addition to the steamy love triangle, the series also stars Sebastián Martínez, Harold Azuara, Hernán Mendoza, Verónica Langer, and Pamela Almanza.
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‘Rosario Tijeras’ Has Continued to Reinvent Itself
Bárbara de Regil and Samantha Acuña in Rosario Tijeras.Image via Netflix
Over the years, Rosario Tijeras has bounced around quite a bit. First premiering in 2016 on Mexican TV network Azteca 13, then moving to Azteca 7 for Seasons 2 and 3, the series then found its last home on Netflix ahead of Season 4. In turn, the changes in production meant that Rosario’s story took plenty of gaps in between seasons, including a massive six-year gap between Season 3 in 2019 and Season 4 on June 18, 2025. But, while the large gaps might have turn viewers away from watching, the series has instead taken the time to reinvent itself.
At the end of Season 3, viewers were left with an intense cliffhanger as Rosario is presumed dead after an explosion. Taking off where Season 3 ended, however, Rosario rises from the ashes in Season 4, finding a new side of herself after her near-death experience. Throughout the season, after discovering that her daughter Ruby’s (Samantha Acuña) parents have passed away from the explosion, she feels a pull to find her and become a family again. When they reunite, the rebellious Ruby, who Rosario had with the powerful criminal Ángel (Martínez), wants nothing to do with Rosario. But, as she follows a dark path, including getting closer to a dangerous criminal named El Papi (Luis Fernando Peña), Rosario becomes the only person who can keep her safe.
With that said, while Netflix has a few telenovelas in its catalog, Rosario Tijeras has become one of its most successful ones to date. With approximately 303.4 million hours of viewers in the first six months of 2025, Rosario Tijeras is breaking barriers and proving itself as a series with the right balance of action, family drama, intrigue and heart. Season 5 has yet to be confirmed, but if history serves, Netflix might have another major hit on their hands.
Release Date
2016 – 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix, Azteca Uno
Directors
Chava Cartas
Bárbara de Regil
Rosario Tijeras
Antonio Gaona
Emilio Echegaray
Ariana Ron Pedrique
Paula Restrepo
José María de Tavira
Antonio Bethancourt
