The upcoming crime drama series ‘M.I.A.’, set against the backdrop of South Florida, ramps up its cast with Alberto Guerra (known for ‘Griselda’, ‘The Accident’) joining as a regular. Renowned actors Edward James Olmos (‘American Me’, ‘Stand and Deliver’), Billy Burke (‘Maid’, ‘Twilight’), and Sônia Braga (‘The First Omen’, ‘Shotgun Wedding’) grace the project with their guest appearances. They join a stellar cast that already includes Shannon Gisela, Brittany Adebumola, Dylan Jackson, Maurice Compte, Danay Garcia, Cary Elwes, Gerardo Celasco, and Marta Milans, previously declared main characters of the show.
‘M.I.A.’: conceived by Bill Dubuque, the brain behind ‘Ozark’, throws a spotlight on the risky business of drug smuggling. The story orbits around Etta Tiger Jonze, portrayed by Gisela. Jonze’s family is engaged in running drugs, but when their operation faces threats, her life takes a drastic flip. Accustomed to a life she’s never anticipated, Etta has to strive to keep her face above water, tussling with the underbelly of Miami’s criminal circle.
MIA is an abbreviation not just representing the title of the series but also denoting the airport code for Miami. This locale forms a significant piece of the plot, situating the story in the South Florida region. In this geographic context, South Florida, or SoFla, comprises Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. Stitching the distinctive elements of this area into the narrative promises an authentic, grounded portrayal of life in SoFla.
‘M.I.A.’ springs from the creative hub of MRC Studio, the powerhouse also responsible for ‘Poker Face’. The series’ reins are held by Karen Campbell, best known for her work on ‘Outlander’ and ‘Dexter’, who takes the role of executive producer and showrunner. Alethea Jones (‘High Potential’, ‘Mrs. Davis’) will helm the director’s chair, donning the dual hat of director and executive producer.
Bill Dubuque, the creator of the show, takes up the mantle of scriptwriting for the first episode. The triumvirate of Dubuque, Campbell and Jones will steward M.I.A., sharing executive production responsibilities. Jones is also confirmed to direct, ensuring the series is steered by a handful of experienced industry talents, pooling their expertise to bring this vision alive.
‘M.I.A.’ joins an ever-growing roster of productions shining a light on the darker side of South Florida’s vibrant landscape. This includes ‘Hotel Cocaine’ helmed by Chris Brancato, drawing inspiration from the factual events of Maurice Compte’s father’s life. The series is earmarked for MGM+ release, plunging into another facet of SoFla’s criminal past and present.
The thematic exploration of South Florida’s underbelly continues to gain momentum of late, with Netflix joining the bandwagon. This is evidenced by their current projects including the Sofia Vergara-led ‘Griselda’, and the initial seasons of ‘Narcos’, mainly focused on the notorious figure of Pablo Escobar. Both these series boast executive production from the likes of Eric Newman, Doug Miro, and Carlo Bernard.
Interestingly, ‘Narcos’ has a link with Chris Brancato, who co-created the globally appreciated series. Brancato’s knack for diving into the gritty reality of the drug-fueled underworld, evidenced in ‘Narcos’, is likely to have a well-structured echo in ‘M.I.A.’, bringing viewers an engaging look at the crime drama genre set within the landscape of Southern Florida.
Reminiscing about the Miami-based crime series, one cannot avoid mentioning the original series ‘Dexter’ that aired on Showtime. The series was applauded for its intricate, suspenseful storyline and was rooted in Miami, contributing another dimension to the portrayal of the city in the media. ‘Dexter’ highlighted the grim side of the vibrant city, spinning a narrative that kept audiences worldwide hooked.
In fact, the renown of ‘Dexter’ has lived on well beyond its original run, giving birth to a prequel spinoff series titled ‘Dexter: Original Sin’. The latest adaptation continues the ‘Dexter’ saga on Paramount+ and Showtime, proving the continued fascination with narratives grounded in the criminal underbelly of Miami.
With such a lineage of memorable ventures rooted in South Florida’s crime-ridden past and present, ‘M.I.A.’ hopes to carve its own niche within the genre. The series’ creators aim to stir viewers with its storyline, exploring drug trafficking amidst the vibrant, tumultuous life of South Florida, a geographical location bearing its unique socio-cultural stamp.
The ensemble cast of ‘M.I.A.’ brings together experienced actors and fresh talents alike. Their collective efforts, complemented by the showrunner and executive producers’ visionary approach, aim to deliver a realistic, engaging portrayal of the criminal sphere within the South Florida setting.
The collaboration of ‘M.I.A.’s crew aids in fusing the varied elements into a cohesive narrative, aiming to captivate the audience just as the previously mentioned series have. Given the expert team behind the scenes and the captivating plot, there’s high anticipation for ‘M.I.A.’ to mark its presence in the genre of crime dramas.
‘M.I.A.’ promises an intriguing exploration of South Florida’s criminal landscape, which still remains relatively untapped by mainstream television series. It is the latest effort to portray the diverse, multi-faceted life and crimes that exist in this part of the United States, a portrayal enriched by the personal and professional experiences of the cast and crew involved.
With the release of ‘M.I.A.’ on Peacock, viewers can anticipate an immersive ride filled with suspense, family drama, and Southern Florida’s own distinct cultural characteristics. As the series navigates the treacherous terrain of the Miami crime scene through the life of Etta Tiger Jonze and her family’s precarious drug operation, the audience stands a chance of witnessing a new overview of SoFla’s gritty underbelly.