Queen of the South wrapped up after five seasons, but there is considerably more to the story behind why the Netflix drama came to such a swift conclusion, reports the Mirror.

Now, one of the show's leading cast members has spoken candidly about the end of the hugely popular series, which broadcast on USA Network and Netflix.

In an exclusive interview with Reach Plc, the publishers of the Express, Queen of the South's Pote Galvez actor Hemky Madera has shed light on the programme's premature conclusion.

The 49 year old American actor explained: "Unfortunately, the pandemic killed it. We would've had seven seasons in total instead of five and there was a big possibility of a spin-off for Pote.

"So that would have been pretty cool but unfortunately the pandemic... that's just little things in the big picture as a whole and all the loss that we experienced and went through the whole world."

"But it's definitely changed and hasn't been the same ever since. The industry and the strike came."

Queen of the South finished in 2021 with cartel queenpin Teresa Mendoza (played by Alice Braga) faking her own death and leaving behind her life of crime.

She was reunited with James (Peter Gadiot), Kelly Ann (Molly Burnett) and Pote, while Teresa's business was swiftly taken over by Boaz (Joseph T. Campos).

The series was loosely adapted from the Spanish-language telenovela La Reina del Sur, and both shows were based on Spanish author Arturo Pérez-Reverte's novel The Queen of the South.

When asked whether he would reprise his role as Pote should the chance arise, Madera said: "I'm always here. I love it. You see a lot of shows coming back and our show was a pretty cool show."

He went on to explain: "I know it's a drug show but having strong women in the lead and taking care of business and us as men in the supporting role, just supporting the strength behind this woman, it was pretty cool.

"You never know, maybe it will come back for a TV movie some years later. I'm always open. I love that character, a great character to play."

Adding: "I was very honoured to be part of that show but I'm also very blessed to be part of this show."

Madera is currently keeping himself busy across a host of new projects, including a role in season three of HBO's Emmy-winning series Euphoria alongside Zendaya, with whom he previously appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

He is also set to feature in the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as The Last Horseman, Víctor, and El Secreto del Retrato.

Euphoria airs on HBO Max and NOW on Mondays in the UK