Conversations with the Cast of ‘Women in Blue (Laz Azules)’

Ximena Sariñana, Bárbara Mori, Natalia Téllez and Amorita Rasgado in "Women in Blue (Las Azules)," now streaming on Apple TV+.

​The brand-new Apple TV+ series, Women in Blue (Las Azules) is quite the landmark series. For not only does it explore a bit of history by transporting us back to Mexico in 1971, to tell a unique story about Mexico City’s first women-led police force. But it also boats a stellar cast one composed of talented Latin women with magnificent resumes. After all there is Bárbara Mori, who is best known as Rubí from the telenovela of the same name, and she is joined by Ximena Sariñana, Amorita Rasgado, and Natalia Téllez, all of whom have numerous television and film credits under their belt, and to celebrate the show’s release we sat down with this talented group to discuss this important new show.

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Bárbara Mori (María) & Ximena Sariñana (Ángeles)

John Betancourt: I would like to start by discussing what it was that attracted each of you to this series.
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Ximena Sariñana: To me, it was definitely the challenge of, you know, of interpreting a person in the autism spectrum, like Ángeles. I mean, I grew up being an actress, but most of my life I've been a musician. So, for me, I've never considered myself a true actress. So, this was a true challenge for me, you know, to be able to portray somebody with such specific characteristics and doing it so that, you know, so that it feels truthful, and it feels honest, that was by far one of the hardest roles that I've had to play in my life.
 
Bárbara Mori: Well, yeah, for me it was, you know, I was wanting to work with Fernando Rovzar, who is my husband. We wanted to work together for long time, for so long and so that was my first inspiration. And then second, I think this is a show, a series, that is very, you know, important to tell, because it's inspired by true events about women who were constantly underestimated by society, who joined the police force for the first time, and they achieve a lot of things in the police force. And so, it's very inspiring story to tell, and especially because it's in the 1970s, but now in the 2024 we still struggle with a lot of things, and we haven't changed, in that sense, in so many ways.

John Betancourt: There are so many layers to this story and so many important moments and messages. What's the message you hope the audience takes away when they watch this first season?
 
Ximena Sariñana: I think that a lot of the characters in this series don't fit into the mold that they have been asked to fit in by, either by society or expectations, or, you know, other people. And I think that's a very beautiful message, you know, for everyone, which is, you know, you don't need to fit in in order to reach your maximum potential and to be happy. And you know, don't be scared to pursue who you really are in order to reach happiness.
 
Bárbara Mori: Don't be afraid to be yourself. And also, I think one, another message, that’s beautiful is when the women comes together. You know, they share in this, this case, these four women, they share the need to help others, to solve crimes, to investigate cases, to make justice, to be useful for the police force and for the society and the community. So, when they joined together, and they inspire each other to be strong enough to be determined, to secure their voices. And so, I think it's value of friendship that we show here.

Amorita Rasgado (Gabina) & Natalia Téllez (Valentina)

John Betancourt: What does it mean to each of you, to be part of such an important story?
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Natalia Téllez: It’s an absolute privilege to tell part of the history of Mexico, worldwide, stories that actually happened, the struggle from women to grab a spot in labor, in society. This really happened. This one did exist, and it opened, opened the pathway, not only Mexico, but in Latin America, women started becoming police officers, and entered into this new environment, and we are representing a Mexican story made by Mexican women in Spanish. This is quite significant for me. It's a dream come true.
 
Amorita Rasgado: Above anything this story, it is told in Mexico, Mexican women, but at the same time, I do feel that many women around the world will mirror the experience. Like having the chance to tell this story today, above anything, this is grateful. This is so very important, and I'm so happy for being part of the casting.
 
John Betancourt: I am very curious as to what message you hope the audience takes away when they watch this, since there's so much messaging and layers to this story.
 
Natalia Téllez: I think the message is, together, we are stronger and determined. Once we know what we have, we are focused. Nothing will stop us. This is a story of sorority. Causing trouble. Fight, revolution, and some female revolutions, not necessarily are violent. Literally, as Valentina said, sometimes you have to jump into the system and with consciousness, fully aware, to break it from within. Yeah. Courageous union.
 
Amorita Rasgado: I love thinking that this story could have only been told from sorority, from the sense of belonging, because women, no, Mexicans, we touch, we hug ourselves. For me, this is the part of the story, and I resonate in my heart. I'm so happy to say that this project is being launched.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.