A Childhood Shaped by Violence

Read Time:5 Minute, 26 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
Dear Killer Nannies
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Genre: Drama, Crime, Coming-of-Age
Year Released: 2026
Runtime: 8 x 34m (screened episodes 1-3 for review)
Writer(s): Juan Pablo Escobar, Sebastián Ortega, Pablo Farina
Cast: Janer Villareal, Miguel Tamayo, Miguel Ángel García, Laura Rodríguez, Juanita Molina, Julián Zuluaga, Rafael Zea, Carmen Electra, John Leguizamo
Where to Watch: premieres on April 1, 2026, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for U.S. bundle subscribers, and Disney+ internationally

RAVING REVIEW: There’s nothing conventional about a childhood built around power, fear, and the illusion of safety, and DEAR KILLER NANNIES understands that from the very first episode. Instead of approaching the Pablo Escobar story from the usual angle of crime, politics, or law enforcement, the series narrows its focus to the perspective of a child who doesn’t understand the world he’s growing up in. That decision separates it from the countless other narratives tied to Escobar’s legacy, giving it a more intimate and psychologically complex foundation.

At the center of the series is Juampi, portrayed across different stages of his life by Miguel Tamayo, Miguel Ángel García, and Janer Villareal. What makes the character so compelling isn’t just the situation he’s placed in, but how the show allows his understanding of that world to evolve. Early on, there’s a sense of admiration, even comfort, tied to his father’s presence. The danger feels abstract, something that exists around him but not necessarily within him. As the series progresses, that illusion slowly fractures, giving way to confusion, fear, and, eventually, a deeper awareness of what his father represents.

That shift becomes the backbone of the series. Rather than relying on chaos or tension, the show finds its strength in smaller, more personal moments. Conversations that carry unspoken weight, environments that feel both protective and suffocating, and relationships that are constantly shaped by the threat of violence all contribute to an atmosphere that feels uneasy. It’s not about shocking the audience with what happens, but about letting that tension sit just beneath the surface at all times.

The concept of the “nannies” is where the series finds one of its most disturbing ideas. These aren’t caregivers in any traditional sense, but hired killers tasked with both protection and control. That dual role creates a constant contradiction, where the same figures meant to provide safety are also reminders of the danger surrounding Juampi’s life. The show uses that dynamic well, allowing these characters to exist in a morally gray space rather than reducing them to threats or background figures.

John Leguizamo’s portrayal of Pablo Escobar adds another complexity. Instead of leaning entirely into intimidation or dominance, his performance balances charisma with an undercurrent of unpredictability. From Juampi’s perspective, he’s still a father first, someone capable of warmth and reassurance. That contrast makes the eventual realization of who he truly is feel more impactful, not because the audience doesn’t know, but because Juampi is only just beginning to see it for himself. What stands out most is how the series handles that transition without forcing it. There’s no single moment where everything suddenly becomes clear. Instead, it builds gradually, allowing each experience to reshape Juampi’s understanding piece by piece. That approach keeps the story grounded, even as the circumstances around him become increasingly extreme.

The supporting cast plays a crucial role in maintaining that balance. Laura Rodríguez brings a strength to Victoria Henao, presenting a character who is constantly navigating between protecting her child and existing within a system she can’t control. Juanita Molina and Julián Zuluaga add further depth to the world around Juampi, each representing different perspectives within it, whether loyalty, survival, or quiet resistance.

The series knows exactly what it wants to explore, and it commits to that vision. This isn’t a crime saga in the traditional sense, nor is it a straightforward biographical. It’s a story about perception, about how a child interprets a world shaped by violence, and how that understanding changes over time. By centering the experience on that journey, it feels both familiar and distinctly its own.

DEAR KILLER NANNIES succeeds within the episodes I’ve seen because it doesn’t try to redefine a story that’s already been told countless times. Instead, it reframes it, focusing on the personal cost of growing up in a world where danger isn’t an exception but a constant presence. It’s not always perfectly paced, and there are moments where the story would absolutely benefit from deeper progression, but the core remains strong throughout.

This is a series that holds its own, not because of its scale, but because it stays so closely tied to its central ideas. It understands that the most impactful stories aren’t always the ones driven by action, but the ones shaped by how people process the world around them. And in that sense, it delivers something that feels both grounded and devastating. The flow of Juampi's evolution will be the series's strongest element.

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