Alberto Guerra steps into the violent and unpredictable world of M.I.A. as Elias, a character shaped by survival, danger, and the escalating chaos surrounding Miami’s criminal underworld.
In our conversation, Guerra discusses how Miami’s atmosphere helped shape the tone of the series, the physical demands of the role, and how he approached finding humanity within one of the show’s more intense characters.
About the Series
Set between the Florida Keys and Miami’s neon-lit criminal underworld, M.I.A. follows Etta Tiger Jonze after tragedy destroys her family’s drug-running operation, forcing her deeper into a dangerous world of violence, ambition, and survival.
As the stakes rise and loyalties fracture, the series explores identity, power, and the cost of navigating a city fueled by desperation and opportunity.
M.I.A. premieres May 7, 2026 exclusively on Peacock.
Watch the Full Interview
What We Asked Alberto Guerra
- How did Miami’s atmosphere and energy influence the series?
- What helped establish the brutal tone of the story?
- How did he find empathy and humanity within Elias?
- What physical preparation was required for the role?
- How demanding were the stunt and action sequences throughout the series?
Building the Intensity of M.I.A.
One of the defining elements of M.I.A. is the way the city itself shapes the emotional and physical danger surrounding every character.
Guerra discussed how Miami’s neon-lit environment becomes more than just a backdrop, creating an atmosphere where glamour, violence, and survival constantly collide.
That energy helps define the series’ relentless tone, pushing characters deeper into increasingly dangerous territory.
Finding Humanity Within Elias
Despite the brutality surrounding Elias, Guerra approached the role by searching for emotional grounding beneath the violence and tension.
Rather than portraying Elias as simply intimidating or ruthless, the performance explores the survival instincts and emotional complexity driving many of the character’s decisions.
That layered approach helps make Elias feel connected to the larger emotional world of the series instead of functioning purely as a threat.
The Physical Demands of the Role
M.I.A. leans heavily into grounded action, requiring extensive stunt work and physically demanding sequences throughout production.
Guerra reflected on the preparation required to handle the role’s action scenes, from fight choreography to maintaining the physical intensity needed for the series’ more brutal moments.
The action is designed to feel raw and immediate, reinforcing the dangerous unpredictability of the world surrounding the characters.
Surviving Miami’s Criminal Underworld
As the series unfolds, Elias becomes one of several characters navigating a city where loyalty shifts constantly and survival often requires compromise.
The world of M.I.A. thrives on tension between ambition and consequence, forcing every character to decide how far they are willing to go to stay alive.
For Guerra, that emotional and physical conflict became central to shaping Elias throughout the series.useful context for audiences interested in the film and its creative team.
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