‘M.I.A.’ Interview: Shannon Gisela, Brittany Adebumola & Dylan Jackson Break Down Miami, Misconceptions & Their Complicated Characters

Peacock’s M.I.A. might be serving up sun, style, and a seriously tense crime story but behind the scenes, it sounds like the experience was equal parts bonding… and bug bites. During a recent press junket, cast members Shannon Gisela, Brittany Adebumola, and Dylan Jackson offered a glimpse into filming in Miami, building on-screen chemistry, and why their characters aren’t nearly as straightforward as they first appear.

Let’s start with the obvious: Miami looks great on camera. Living in it? Slightly more complicated. While the cast praised the city’s energy and culture, Adebumola made it very clear that the local wildlife, specifically mosquitoes, were less welcoming. “Five minutes on set and I had 10 bites,” she joked, describing what can only be called a personal vendetta from Florida insects.

But once you get past the heat and humidity, the experience itself sounds like exactly what you’d want from a show this intense. Gisela described the set as deeply collaborative, with the cast forming a tight-knit bond that helped balance out the show’s heavier material. Because make no mistake, M.I.A. leans dark. Having that sense of trust off-screen made it easier to dive into the emotional weight of the story.

Jackson echoed that sentiment, noting that the production mirrored Miami’s real-life sense of community. From family members working together behind the scenes to the overall “open door” energy, the environment fed directly into the performances. And when a show is built on relationships and high-stakes decisions, that kind of authenticity matters.

As for the characters themselves, don’t expect easy labels. Gisela’s Etta may come across as tough and thrill-seeking early on, but there’s a deeper emotional core driving her, particularly her need for connection, even in the middle of dangerous choices. Jackson’s Stanley, on the other hand, might seem quiet or withdrawn at first glance, but he’s far more perceptive and daring than people give him credit for. And Adebumola’s Lovely? She enters the story with warmth and optimism, but hints throughout the season suggest there’s a lot more going on beneath that “good girl” exterior.

In other words, M.I.A. is playing the long game with its characters and clearly enjoying it.

When asked to sum up the show, the cast landed on words like “thrilling,” “dangerous,” and “suspenseful.” Not exactly subtle, but it tracks. Between layered performances, shifting character dynamics, and a setting that refuses to play nice, M.I.A. is shaping up to be a series where first impressions don’t mean much and that’s exactly why it works.

Check out ouf full interview below: