Creators Bill Dubuque and Karen Campbell join us to discuss the creative vision behind M.I.A., Peacock’s neon-soaked crime thriller exploring ambition, survival, and identity inside Miami’s dangerous criminal underworld.
In our conversation, Dubuque and Campbell break down how they designed the world surrounding Etta Tiger Jonze, the major twin reveal that reshapes the series, and why Shannon Gisela became the perfect fit to lead the story.
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 business, forcing her into a world filled with violence, betrayal, and reinvention.
As the series unfolds, hidden truths and shifting identities reshape everything Etta believes about herself and the people around her.
M.I.A. premiered May 7, 2026 exclusively on Peacock.
Watch the Full Interview
What We Asked Bill Dubuque & Karen Campbell
- How did they design the neon-soaked atmosphere and dangerous world of Miami?
- What inspired the major twin twist at the center of the series?
- How does the reveal reshape the emotional core of the story?
- What do they hope audiences take away after watching the series?
- What made Shannon Gisela the right choice to play Etta Tiger Jonze?
Building the World of M.I.A.
One of the defining elements of M.I.A. is the atmosphere itself. Dubuque and Campbell discussed how Miami’s energy, nightlife, and contradictions became foundational to shaping the series’ identity.
The city operates as more than a backdrop — its neon-lit glamour, criminal undercurrent, and emotional volatility all directly influence the characters and the decisions they make.
That environment helps create a world where danger and ambition constantly overlap.
The Twin Twist and Emotional Reframing
A major turning point in the series comes through the reveal surrounding the twin storyline, a twist that dramatically reframes the emotional and narrative structure of M.I.A.
Rather than existing purely for shock value, the reveal was designed to deepen the themes of identity, survival, and reinvention running throughout the series.
Dubuque and Campbell discussed how carefully balancing that reveal became essential to maintaining emotional investment while still delivering tension and unpredictability.
Casting Shannon Gisela as Etta
The conversation also focused on casting Shannon Gisela as Etta Tiger Jonze, the emotional center of the series.
Dubuque and Campbell reflected on how Gisela brought both vulnerability and intensity to the role, helping ground the increasingly chaotic world surrounding the character.
As Etta’s journey evolves from ambition to survival, her performance becomes central to the emotional weight of the series.
What M.I.A. Is Really About
Beyond the violence and criminal tension, M.I.A. ultimately explores identity, family, and the emotional cost of reinvention.
The creators discussed wanting audiences to leave the series thinking not just about the twists and action, but about how trauma, ambition, and survival reshape people over time.
That emotional foundation helps separate M.I.A. from more traditional crime thrillers.
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