I never watched the first series and have no desire to. This show is amazing...superbly acted and photographed. It's Totally fictional and yet very historic. I found myself repeatedly referring to Google to learn what actually did happen...the zoos suit riots, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, the Nazi bund, the crooked politics and police, the radio evangelists, Santa Muerte...they're all there. Hoping and praying for a second season.