Is Medusa Corporation a Real Company? Are the Hidalgos a Real Colombian Family?

Netflix’s ‘Medusa’ begins with the mystery of an attempted murder but soon becomes an investigation into the complicated dynamics of the Hidalgo family. Set in Barranquilla, the story focuses on the complex relationships within the family where hate reigns their actions and decisions more than love. This scrutiny is invited following an explosion on the boat that has the Hidalgo-owned Medusa Corporation’s newly appointed CEO, Barbara Hidalgo, onboard. Following the accident, she tries to piece together her lost memories while also trying to catch the person who tried to kill her once. The more we find out about her family, the more it seems that all the members of the Hidalgo family are borrowed from reality.

The Hidalgo Family is a Strictly Fictional Dynasty in Medusa

‘Medusa’ is a fictional series created by Said Chamie and Claudia Sánchez, and all the characters and organizations depicted in the story are entirely made-up. Chamie and Sánchez crafted an intricate set of characters to lay out the drama and toxicity that drives the Hidalgo family and have confirmed that it is not based on any real-life dynasty. Still, if one were to draw comparisons, the most logical inspiration would be the Char family. One of the wealthiest families in Colombia, the Chars are known for having a stronghold over the area spanning Barranquilla and Atlantico.

The family owns companies in several sectors, which include but are not limited to banking, supermarket chains, media firms, and a soccer team. They are also one of the significant shareholders in the biggest port in the country. Reportedly, they have the reins of around 91 businesses in their hands and are worth billions of dollars. All of this wealth has also opened the doors for the family in the political structure of the country. They have significant connections in Congress, with some members of the family even having served in public offices as elected officials, with one of them even running for the Presidency of the country.

With all the money and influence, the Char family has also found itself in trouble with the law several times. Claims of corruption have been made against some members, while others have criminal cases lodged against them. With all this in mind, one could say that there is enough drama in their life to give the writers ample material to create a TV show. However, while writing ‘Medusa,’ Chamie and Sánchez were more focused on presenting the realistic dynamics of a family where negative emotions have taken over due to their blind greed. While the story follows an ultra-rich family, the writers wanted it to feel realistic enough for the audience to find the characters relatable. Through the story of the Hidalgos and their fictional empire of Medusa, the show’s creators wanted to present universal issues experienced by families of all kinds, which is what makes the characters feel real, even if they are completely imaginary.