In the heart of Rio de Janeiro, a criminal empire built on illegal gambling is on the brink of collapse. Netflix’s new drama series, Rulers of Fortune, plunges audiences into the city’s underworld, a domain governed by powerful families whose dominance is suddenly under threat. The epicenter of their power is the “jogo do bicho,” an underground lottery deeply woven into the local culture. But the ecosystem supporting it now faces an existential crisis from two relentless, disruptive forces.
The first catalyst for chaos is a legislative threat from within: the imminent legalization of gambling in Brazil. This government measure promises to shatter the old order, stripping the criminal syndicates of the monopoly and power that illegality affords them. Simultaneously, an external threat looms as a foreign organized crime syndicate sets its sights on taking over Rio’s lucrative clandestine business. Caught between the legitimization of their industry and a hostile takeover, the lifelong players are forced into a desperate struggle to keep their empires intact.
The series’ original title, “Contravenção,” offers a crucial thematic key. The word translates to “infraction,” “violation,” or more specifically, a “misdemeanor.” This suggests that the characters operate under a code where their illegal activity is seen as a mere administrative offense, while the true transgressions are those committed against loyalty and family. This tension is highlighted in the series’ trailer, where a fundamental principle of the underworld is declared: “Betrayal is worse than murder.” The narrative focuses not just on the fight against the law, but on the violation of the unwritten codes that sustain their world, just as the very definition of legality is about to change forever.
The Heart of the Conflict: The ‘Jogo do Bicho’
To grasp the scale of the conflict in Rulers of Fortune, it’s essential to understand the phenomenon at its core: the ‘jogo do bicho’ (the animal game). Far from a simple game of chance, it’s a cultural institution deeply embedded in Brazil’s social fabric, especially in Rio de Janeiro. Created in 1892 by Baron João Batista Viana Drummond as a way to attract visitors to the city zoo, the game’s simplicity made it an instant hit: players bet on one of 25 animals, each associated with a set of numbers.
Despite being outlawed and classified as a misdemeanor in 1941, the ‘jogo do bicho’ not only survived but thrived in the shadows, becoming a pillar of the informal economy. It’s estimated to generate billions of reals annually and has employed tens of thousands, operating as a vast, decentralized network controlled by ‘bicheiros,’ or bankers. These figures became influential community leaders, often seen as benefactors who financed everything from social events to Rio’s famous Carnival samba schools, cementing their power through both loyalty and fear.
However, this romanticized aura of “popular crime” conceals a darker reality. The game has historically been a vehicle for corruption, money laundering, and violence, giving rise to what some prosecutors have described as a genuine “Brazilian mafia.” It is within this complex ecosystem—part cultural institution, part criminal empire—that the battle for power in Rulers of Fortune is waged. This is a fight not just for control of a business, but for the soul of a Rio tradition.
The Rise of the Prophet: The Disruptor
Amid this whirlwind of change and uncertainty, a new figure emerges, destined to shake the foundations of power: Profeta. Hailing from Campos dos Goytacazes on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Profeta is a contender who threatens to take it all. He is the son of Nélio (Adriano Garib) and brother to Nelinho (Pedro Lamin) and Esqueleto (Ruan Aguiar), but his ambition is singular and overwhelming: to prove to his father and the world that he was “born to lead.”
His ascent isn’t built on brute force but on his innate skills as “a born strategist with a gift for persuasion.” This profile positions him as an intellectual disruptor, one who understands the opportunities arising from chaos while the established families cling to a fading past. His name, Profeta (Prophet), is no coincidence; it implies an ability to see the future, to anticipate the new order of crime in Rio and position himself to define it. While others fight to preserve the old game, he seems determined to write the rules for the new one. His strategic and charismatic style makes him an unpredictable threat to the established dynasties.
The role is played by André Lamoglia, an actor known for his part in the Netflix teen drama Elite. This casting choice suggests an effort to draw a younger audience to a traditionally adult genre, presenting Profeta as a complex and charismatic anti-hero. His status as an outsider—a man from the periphery needing to prove his worth—sets up a classic conflict of social and criminal ascent, pitting the self-made man against a deep-rooted dynastic system that views him as a mere upstart.
Dynasties at War: The Families of Power
Control of Rio de Janeiro’s underworld rests in the hands of four rival families, each with its own traditions, ambitions, and internal conflicts. The series explores the complex web of alliances and betrayals that binds and divides them, highlighting the ideological clash between tradition and modernity.
The Old Guard: The Fernandez Clan
This family represents “the old guard of the criminal underworld, with all of its traditions and accomplishments.” Their primary goal is to preserve the status quo and hold onto power at all costs. At the helm is the patriarch Galego Fernandez (Chico Diaz), a boss accustomed to “giving orders and making the decisions.” His style of power is authoritarian and traditional, focused on maintaining the old ways that have guaranteed their dominance for years. Alongside him is his wife, Leila (Juliana Paes), who, though she remains in her husband’s shadow, “pulls the strings like a queen,” hinting at complex internal power dynamics and hidden ambitions. The clan is rounded out by their son Santiago (Henrique Barreira) and brother Xavier (Otávio Muller), opening the door to potential succession struggles.
The New Blood: The Guerra Empire
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Guerra family, a “new generation seeking to modernize the jogo do bicho.” This clan is defined by its bold ambition and intense internal rivalry. Their aggressive and ruthless approach stands in stark contrast to the old guard’s, as they seek to modernize the business regardless of the cost. Power is wielded by Búfalo (Xamã), a former MMA fighter who married into the family and took control of their business. His wife, Suzana Guerra (Giullia Buscaccio), is described as “ambitious and astute,” willing to destroy her own family if necessary. Her rival is her own sister, Mirna Guerra (Mel Maia), who is “articulate and business-minded” like her father, the visionary but ailing Jorge Guerra (Roberto Pirillo).
Other Players on the Board
To illustrate the fragility of power in this world, the series introduces the Saad family. Their heir, Renzo (Bruno Mazzeo), was “ambushed and arrested” before he could take control. Now, he awaits his chance to return while his uncle Marcinho (Tuca Andrada) acts as a temporary intermediary among the kingpins. This weakened clan plays a passive, intermediary role, holding their place on the board while they wait for an opportunity to reclaim their former influence.
Clash of Titans: Rivalries That Define the War
The struggle for power in Rio is not abstract; it materializes in high-stakes personal showdowns that will define the course of the war. Promotional materials for the series highlight three key rivalries that serve as the dramatic engines of the plot.
The Crown in Dispute: Profeta vs. Búfalo
This is the central conflict for the throne. It pits Profeta, the strategist from the periphery, against Búfalo, the ex-MMA fighter who gained his power through marriage. It’s a classic brains-versus-brawn dynamic, but also a battle for legitimacy. Profeta seeks to prove he was born to lead, while Búfalo fights to earn the respect of the old guard and consolidate a power he didn’t inherit by blood. There is only one crown, and both are willing to do whatever it takes to claim it.
The Bloody Inheritance: Mirna Guerra vs. Suzana Guerra
Just as brutal as the external wars is the conflict raging within the Guerra Empire. The rivalry between sisters Mirna and Suzana for control of the family business explores themes of ambition and female power in a patriarchal world. Mirna, articulate and business-savvy like her father, represents a more strategic path. Suzana, on the other hand, is cunning and ruthless, willing to “destroy her own flesh and blood if necessary.” Their confrontation will determine not only who leads the family, but also what kind of power will prevail in the new era.
Power in the Shadows: Galego Fernandez vs. Leila Fernandez
Within the seemingly monolithic old guard, a more subtle but equally potent rivalry is brewing. The dynamic between the visible boss, Galego, and his wife Leila, who “pulls the strings like a queen,” suggests that the true power of the traditionalist clan may not lie where it seems. This internal conflict hints at the possibility of betrayal at the heart of the most established family, reinforcing the idea that in their world, betrayal can be worse than murder.
Behind the Scenes: Creating a Mafia World
Rulers of Fortune is a production from Paranoïd, with a creative team led by Heitor Dhalia, Bernardo Barcellos, and Bruno Passeri. Barcellos also serves as the writer, with directing duties handled by Dhalia, Rafael Miranda Fejes, and Matias Mariani.
The series holds a strategic position in the platform’s plans, as it introduces Netflix Brazil’s “slate of mafia productions.” This positions it as a flagship series intended to build a specific subgenre with a stamp of local authenticity. The production aims to bring an “authentic Rio de Janeiro flavor” to the screen, combined with “touches of melodrama” to appeal to a global audience. The involvement of Heitor Dhalia, creator of the Netflix series Criminal Code, is significant. It suggests a strategy by Netflix to invest in a proven creator to develop a cohesive universe of Brazilian crime stories, creating a recognizable brand of content for viewers.
Release Date
To bring this complex web of ambition, betrayal, and family ties to life, the production has assembled a top-tier cast. The main cast is led by André Lamoglia, Chico Diaz, Giullia Buscaccio, Juliana Paes, Mel Maia, and Xamã. They are joined by a distinguished group of supporting actors, including Adriano Garib, Bruno Mazzeo, Dandara Mariana, Igor Fernandez, Pedro Lamin, Ruan Aguiar, Stepan Nercessian, and Tuca Andrada, completing a star-studded lineup for this epic battle for power.
The crime drama series premieres on Netflix on October 29.
