Facing is a National Geographic Channel docu-series that takes an immersive look at the real stories behind some of modern history’s most larger-than-life characters.



Through first-person interviews with those who “faced” them — their adversaries, allies, peers and those in their inner circle — along with select journalists and those affected by their actions, good and bad, Facing offers a sometimes startling perspective on these modern icons. Get to know the real stories behind the headlines with an intimate look at their early life, rise to notoriety and existence in the public eye.



FACING ESCOBAR

Premieres Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 9/8c

At the helm of his cocaine empire, Pablo Escobar ignited the international bloodbath that spurred the war on drugs. This is the story of the man behind the Glock, told by those in front of it. Interviewees include Steve Murphy, Javier Peña and Joe Toft, lead DEA special agents on Pablo Escobar’s investigation; George Jung, the mastermind behind Escobar’s early smuggling operations; John Jairo “Popeye” Velásquez, Escobar’s friend, commander of his terror squad and convicted murderer; and Gen. Miguel Alfredo “Maza” Márquez, who survived seven assassination attempts as the head of secret police in Colombia.



Joseph (Joe) Toft is the former chief of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) who ran the DEA operation in Bogota, Colombia throughout the bloody years of battling the Medellin Cartel. Joe Toft is available for phone interviews Mon, Aug 29 and Tues, Aug 30 from 3 to 7 pm ET.



As a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Stephen Murphy and his partner, Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena, targeted the world’s first narco-terrorist, Pablo Escobar, and the Medellin Cartel. Living and working alongside their Colombian National Police counterparts in Medellin, Colombia, as well as with elite U.S. military units, their efforts resulted in the dismantlement of the largest and most violent international drug trafficking organization of its time.