El marginal

A former detective volunteers for a dangerous undercover job, entering a prison under a false identity to blend with a gang that has just kidnapped the teenage daughter of a powerful judge. Inside, he must earn trust, dodge the guards, and keep his real mission hidden while the clock ticks. The walls tighten around him as loyalties shift and brutal codes govern every move, forcing him to weigh his oath against the brutal realities he encounters. With danger at every turn, the case forces him to navigate a labyrinth of alliances, traps, and compromises where nothing is ever simply black or white.

The series premiered in 2016 and was created by Adrián Caetano and Sebastián Ortega, with Martina Gusmán, Nicolás Furtado and Claudio Rissi leading the cast. It quickly stood out as a stark Argentine crime drama blending prison grit with undercurrents.

El Marginal left a lasting mark on Argentine television by pushing a bleak, realistic portrayal of prison life into the mainstream. Its intense performances and ruthless atmosphere helped attract international audiences and influenced later crime dramas in the region.

Critics praised its tight pacing and moral ambiguity, noting how power, loyalty, and fear shape every choice inside the walls. The show probes justice versus corruption and the cost of staying true to one's principles in a world where lines are constantly shifting.