A-list actress looks unrecognisable in Netflix series

She’s one of the highest paid actresses in the industry, but you’d be forgiven for not recognising this TV star in Netflix’s upcoming series.

Sofia Vergara stars in Netflix's upcoming film Griselda.

Sofia Vergara has undergone a startling transformation for her latest TV role.

The Modern Family star, 51, features as the lead character in Netflix’s upcoming crime series, Griselda, in which she stars as real life figure Griselda Blanco, a Colombian drug cartel leader who became known as the ‘Godmother’ of the underworld from the ‘70s.

The streaming platform released a teaser for show, which shows a newly-single Vergara appearing to sport facial prosthetics.

Sofia Vergara looks unrecognisable in her latest role. Picture: Netflix

In another scene, Vergara could be seen with cuts all over her face and smoking a cigarette.

Netflix said of the series: “Griselda is inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious Colombian businesswoman Griselda Blanco, a devoted mother who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as ‘the Godmother’.”

The real-life Blanco was assassinated by a gunman on a motorbike while leaving a butcher shop in Colombia in September 2012.

Vergara was seen with cuts on her face in a teaser. Picture: Netflix

The Modern Family actress plays a real-life underworld figure. Picture: Netflix

Vergara is one of Hollywood’s highest paid actresses. Picture: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix / AFP

The highly-anticipated role comes amid a turbulent time in Vergara’s personal life, with the actress having split from her husband of seven years, actor Joe Manganiello, in July.

The pair, previously considered one of Hollywood’s most solid couples, confirmed their divorce in a statement.

“We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives,” the couple said at the time.

Sofia and Joe announced their split in July. Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TNT

Vergara, who was named second on Forbes’ highest paid actresses list in 2019 thanks to her role in Modern Family, finally opened up about her “very interesting” year in a new interview this week.

“It’s been very interesting, you know. It’s been an interesting year for me,” Vergara toldEntertainment Tonight.

“A lot of changes, a lot of good and craziness and bad things happen and good things happen. You know, what makes life so entertaining and interesting.”

She added she “can’t complain”, adding that she’s “had a great, great time” in 2023 so far.