Aayush Sharma
Netflix series ‘In The Mud’ (Originally titled: ‘En El Barro’) is a Spanish-language prison drama that chronicles the journey of a group of female prison inmates and how they bond with each other while navigating deadly situations. The show, which is a spin-off of the 2016 series’ El Marginal,’ primarily focuses on Glady Guerra (Ana Garibaldi), who ends up in prison after a failed kidnapping attempt. Her life changes when she meets a group of women in a dangerous situation that bonds her with them forever. As they enter the ‘La Quebrada’ prison, they must find a way to stick together to fight the system and the different tribes that dominate the jailhouse. However, they soon realize how difficult it will be to survive in a place where trust is rare.
The terrifying environment puts them in a defensive position, and they are always on their toes as they come face-to-face with unpredictable threats that could erupt into violence at any moment. Known as the Muddy Ones, they try to understand the inside-out of La Quebrada prison, using their knowledge to navigate its dangers and power plays. The group’s struggle to navigate their lives inside a prison marks the majority of the narrative, with jail itself looming as a character. As a result, the title relies heavily on its setting to create tension, atmosphere, and an unshakable sense of confinement. The suffocating walls of Le Quebrada become a character in their own right, tightening their grip on everyone trapped inside.
In The Mud Filming Locations
The prison drama is shot extensively in Argentina. The principal photography began in July 2024 and concluded in September of the same year. Like ‘El Marginal,’ the spin-off show was also filmed in different locations across the nation, lending authenticity to its gritty atmosphere. The cast poured their energy into shaping a fresh, distinctive project, finding joy in every step of the process. Their teamwork and dedication kept the production running seamlessly from start to finish. Before they started filming for the first edition, the show got renewed for a second season, and the makers began recording the sophomore edition right after the shooting wrapped for the first season.
Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina
The narrative of ‘In The Mud’ takes place in Argentina. As a result, the cast and crew filmed extensively in and around the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, also known as the Greater Buenos Aires. The region refers to the urban agglomeration comprising the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the surrounding areas. Most of the filming took place in Buenos Aires, which is the capital of the country mentioned above, and the crew took full advantage of its locations to bring the story’s world to life. However, the story primarily focuses on the women sent to the La Quebrada prison, so the viewers might not be able to see the gorgeous and open landscapes of the Paris of South America. The lens mainly stays locked inside the jailhouse, trading sweeping cityscapes for the claustrophobic intensity of prison life.
To make the jail sequences authentic, the crew built the women’s prison in San Martín, a town situated in the urban agglomeration of the aforementioned region. In the town of San Martín, an abandoned tobacco factory found new purpose as the setting for the female jailhouse. The production team transformed the empty, weathered structure into a gritty and believable backdrop. Its industrial bones and worn walls added an authentic edge to the story’s atmosphere. In a video posted by Netflix, actor Velentina Zanere, who plays the role of Marina on the show, exhibits how the production team changed the once-deserted space into a fully functioning prison set. In the video, the cast members and crew can be seen recording pivotal sequences for the project. The jail seems divided into two wings: left and right.
The meticulously crafted prison set serves as the heart of the title, grounding every scene in a sense of realism. Its detailed design allowed the actors to fully inhabit their characters, making the show feel all the more authentic. Argentina has been a popular filming destination for its stunning locations, financial incentives, and experienced crew. Greater Buenos Aires has been a popular region among the studios because of the city’s architectural diversity, allowing the makers to showcase various settings. Moreover, the area boasts favorable climatic conditions, making it an ideal location for outdoor shoots. Apart from ‘In The Mud,’ several high-end projects such as ‘To Catch A Killer,’ ‘Kill The Jockey,’ ‘Lady of Intuition,’ ‘Focus,’ ‘Argentina, 1985,’ and ‘The Heist of the Century’ have been lensed in the region mentioned above.
Read More: Where Was Netflix’s An Honest Life Filmed?
