Sofia Vergara says filming 'Griselda' was both 'pleasure and torture' as she reflects on acting comeback

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Sofia Vergara joined 'Good Morning America' co-hosts George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, and Lara Spencer to discuss her new Netflix series 'Griselda.'

The 'Modern Family' star, 51, shared that her role in the project, which also had her donning the hat of an executive producer, was very different from her prior works.

Sofia Vergara says 'Griselda' was both 'pleasure and torture' 

When Stephanopoulos asked Vergara to talk about her show, the actress said, "It's been a pleasure and a torture at the same time to be part of this project," for which she has toiled for fifteen years.

The show description on Netflix read that 'Griselda' was set in 1970s and 1980s Miami, and happened to be a "fictionalized dramatization inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most powerful cartels in history."

"I think in her mind the only way that she could survive was being part of this crazy, terrible business that is narco traffic," shared Vergara of the titular character, adding, "I think she went a little bit over the top."

Sophia Vergara encountered many firsts while filming 'Griselda'

"Believe it or not, I had to act for the first time in Spanish," she exclaimed, before continuing that it was her first time acting in a drama, her first time wearing prosthetics and her first time learning how to fake using cocaine for the show.

"I also had to learn how to smoke for the first time in my life," which given her age was not easy, she claimed.

Vergara noted the difference between her role as Gloria Pritchett in the hit sitcom 'Modern Family' and her role in 'Griselda,' stating that the former was a "joy" to be a part of.

"The lines were easy, were inside of me already. Like I would just read them the night before," she said, adding that she was able to return home and have fun.

On the contrary, shooting 'Griselda' made Vergara have trouble sleeping on some nights. "Your body doesn't know that you weren't killing someone, or, you know, that they weren't choking you."

The actress had to spend a couple of months practicing some monologues, training with others to better understand "serious dramatic acting."

Though she stated going for a more natural look on the series, Vergara provided details of an extensive three-hour process of applying prosthetics every day on set to affect skin tone, teeth, and hair.