For years, Miami-set television has often leaned on familiar crime tropes and postcard imagery, rarely capturing the city’s deeper cultural identity or the realities shaping its communities. Peacock’s M.I.A. aims to change that. Filmed on location in Miami, the show embraces the city as a living presence woven into every storyline. Peacock’s new crime drama from Bill Dubuque and Karen Campbell follows Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela) and the aftermath of her parents’ murder.

Shannon Gisela, Brittany Adebumola, and Dylan Jackson reflected on portraying Miami authentically, exploring themes of development and displacement, and building the effortless chemistry that anchors M.I.A.’s central trio. 

I’m interviewing here in Miami, and I love the fact that your show is based in Miami for once. 

Shannon Gisela: Nice to meet you, Alex. 

Nice to meet you. And Shannon, I know you’re a local.

Shannon Gisela: I am a local. I was born in Miami. I was raised in Fort Lauderdale though, so I claim 954 more than I claim 305. But I feel like now I’ve gotten the card to claim 305, too.

I think I got it after what we saw. You’re 305. We’ll keep it at that. But speaking of which, how does it feel filming a show that’s based in Miami and being filmed in Miami? That’s something that’s rarely done before, and now it feels actually kind of real and authentic. 

Shannon Gisela: Yeah, that’s a great question. I would say it’s a character in the show. We know those palm trees, we know the mangroves, we know that coastline… It’s something that really breathes. It’s a specific way the sun hits, even. It’s those colors that you can’t really find anywhere else. 

And the ocean, too, it’s like a certain turquoise. You rarely see that in other shows, yet here I’m watching that and I’m like, “Wow, I recognize that.”

Shannon Gisela: Exactly, yes. And even culturally speaking, the Haitian community, the Latin community, and the Jewish community are like the three pillars of Miami, and we have characters in the show that are representations of each community in its own way. To have that reflected in the show was really cool. There are so many little homages to the city.

Brittany Adebumola: And I will say, as somebody who is not from Miami, it was really cool to hop in Ubers and hear all of the Uber drivers talk about how much Miami has changed, what this community used to look like, and how development is affecting the communities that are around. And our show actually reflects all of that. 

And I love that, especially the whole angle on the development side because sometimes with Miami, usually with shows like these, it’s always a drug trade or something like that. Rarely does anyone talk about development and the displacement of certain people within the city, which is a huge issue, and I’m glad you guys put a spotlight on it. But speaking of this dynamic trio from the show, I’m wondering, your characters form a bond under such extreme circumstances. How did you build that authentic chemistry?

Brittany Adebumola: We didn’t have to build it at all because it was just there. I think they’ve both said it before, but it’s just organic. Our connection is not something that we spoke about ad nauseam. I don’t think we really spoke about it at all. We were just finding each other in the moments and as people, in the same way that our characters are finding, understanding, and seeing each other, and adjusting.

And how did the dynamic evolve off camera?

Shannon Gisela: Just as organically and honestly. It started in the chemistry reads. There was something inherent in not only what Brittany and Dylan brought that day, but their essence. It was clear that something was here because the three of us were together that wasn’t there when we weren’t. It was clear that it was some kind of alchemy.

And were there moments where your characters surprised you in how they reacted to the danger and the moral repercussions that the show brought upon them?

Dylan Jackson: Absolutely! I think for Stanley, he’s quite quiet and to himself at the very beginning, and he busts out in a way that’s quite shocking as time goes on. I think that’s a common thread throughout all three of the characters. There’s something that all of them do where it’s like, “Whoa, I didn’t expect this to happen,” and that happens throughout the show.

That’s amazing. And speaking of rolling back to Miami itself, I know Brittany and Dylan, it was your first time in the city. Were there any fun memories you’d like to share?

Brittany Adebumola: It wasn’t my first time, but it was the first time that I’ve spent that much time in Miami. Prior to that, it was just like, “I’m hopping on a cruise, so let me get to Miami so I can get on a cruise,” or “I’m going to this festival.” And suddenly I forgot the question. What was the question?

What was your favorite or best memory of the city?

Brittany Adebumola: Oh, karaoke. Doing synchronized swimming in my pool with Shannon and Dylan. We had so many opportunities to bond with each other in this beautiful, vibrant city outside of the set. They’re memories that I’ll cherish forever. 

Shannon Gisela: Same. 

Beautiful. All right, well, loved having you guys. I have nothing else for you, but honestly, phenomenal first season.

Shannon Gisela: Thank you. 

That first episode was surprising. Shannon, you killed it.

Shannon Gisela: Oh, thank you, Alex. Thank you so much. That means a lot. And Miami represent, you know? I’m glad that I have the 305 card, that I can be like, “We’re in this.”

M.I.A. is now streaming on Peacock.