M.I.A.’s Brutal Opening Character Deaths & Their Future In The Series Explained By Cast As Creators Talk Show’s Deeper Meaning

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Okay, so I just finished the first episode of Peacock’s new show, M.I.A., and wow! It really grabs you right away. Heads up though – there are some major character deaths in the premiere, ‘Revenge’! The people behind the show are now talking about why they made those big choices, which is interesting to hear after such a shocking start.

The series, created by the writers of Ozark and Dexter, centers on Etta Tiger Jonze, the youngest of seven children. She’s about to start college and eager to use her intelligence, but currently works for her parents’ South Florida boating company. While her mother wants her to pursue higher education, Etta is more interested in joining the family’s secret business: smuggling drugs for the Rojas cartel, using the boat tours as a cover.

The first episode of M.I.A., titled “Revenge,” begins with M.I.A. joining her father and brothers on a delivery run. Their parents are then summoned to a meeting with their boss, where they discover he’s retiring due to illness and handing over the criminal organization to his children. Eager to expand their power and profits, the boss’s sons force M.I.A.’s family to take on one last job. This time, they discover the cargo isn’t what they usually transport – it’s women being trafficked, a first for the family.

Initially cooperating with the delivery, Etta unexpectedly switches sides and helps the women she was transporting escape. Her family intends to use this opportunity to flee and avoid the dangerous Rojas cartel, but their plan fails. The first episode of M.I.A. ends with the entire family being captured – except for Etta – and Dan, played by David Denman, being immediately killed. While Leah tries to bargain for their lives with a monetary offer, the cartel brutally murders them all and sets the warehouse ablaze. Etta, heartbroken, manages to drive away in one of their boats just before the building explodes.

To celebrate the launch of the show, Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant spoke with Danay Garcia, Cary Elwes, and the show’s creators, Bill Dubuque and Karen Palmer, about M.I.A.. During the interview, Garcia discussed the emotional impact of the premiere, particularly the deaths of her character and her on-screen family. She emphasized that “family was central to the show,” making their early deaths especially heartbreaking.

She then talked about Leah’s attempts to save her family after Dan was first killed, portraying her as someone resourceful and capable when her family was secure. However, Leah struggled as her family’s safety began to slip away.

Danay Garcia’s character isn’t motivated by the job itself; it’s about the people she’s with. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her team, even when things get dangerous. We see this dedication in moments like the boat rescue, where she clearly demonstrates experience and preparedness. It’s clear she’s been through this before and knows how to handle difficult situations.

Describing her character’s final scene as the biggest challenge she faced, Garcia explained that the negotiation showed her character was determined to stay in control for as long as possible and would do whatever it took to save everyone. However, when the deal fell through and her children were shot, Garcia said it was incredibly difficult for both her character and herself to watch everything fall apart. She felt it was particularly heartbreaking because her character had so much life and potential left.

Garcia laughed as she explained that Leah was offering the team a surprisingly good deal, quickly calculating numbers to make it work. Her co-star, Maurice Compte, agreed that Leah’s offer was solid. When filming her character’s death, Garcia said she focused on being fully present, wanting to experience every moment of Leah’s life until the very end.

Danay Garcia described how this woman took complete control, even telling Elias to proceed with things immediately without waiting for her, despite her own difficult situation. Danay noted she was still taking orders right up until the last possible moment, showcasing her determination. She’s a fighter who never gives up and always directs things herself. It was a particularly challenging day – they worked all night in cold, rainy conditions. Danay remembers feeling like everything was happening at once, a series of intense and dramatic events.

Although Leah and Etta’s family seemingly died in the first episode of M.I.A., Garcia hints that these characters aren’t gone for good. She wouldn’t reveal details, but suggested there’s a lot more to the story than what viewers initially see. Garcia remembered feeling while filming her character’s death scene that it couldn’t possibly be the end – and she turned out to be right, as the show will delve into the backstory of the central family.

While filming, I felt there was a real depth to these characters and a lot of untold story. A flashback sequence really reveals who they are and how they became that way. It’s a slow reveal, showing just how much they’ve been through to become the people we see. It made me think, “Wow, they’ve faced a lot, and it all makes sense now.” It was both thrilling and a little daunting to be part of that, because you don’t often get opportunities like this in television – it was truly beautiful.

Going From The Zombie Apocalypse To A South Florida Crime Family Was “Very Surreal” For Garcia

ScreenRant commented that they enjoyed the change from the zombie-filled world of The Walking Dead to the dangerous world of a crime family in M.I.A., saying they were captivated after just three episodes. They asked what specifically drew the actor to the character and the series.

After finishing my run on ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ starting this new series felt really strange. I wasn’t sure what kind of show could follow something so intense and chaotic, especially a post-apocalyptic one. I thought, ‘How could things get any worse than the end of the world?’ But ‘M.I.A.’ surprised me. It felt like the real apocalypse wasn’t happening around us, but within the characters. Everyone was dealing with so much internally. The story gradually reveals everyone’s struggles and how they react under pressure. It’s a slow build, but once the tension starts, it doesn’t let up. It’s a painful, relentless journey, and I really enjoyed being a part of it with ‘M.I.A.’

I’m really enjoying this, and it makes me even more eager to watch the remaining episodes – I’m invested in learning more about this family. And just from the first episode, the cast clearly has great chemistry. I’d love to hear about what it was like working with David and Shannon, and everyone else, to create such a close and believable family dynamic.

Being in Miami really changed the show for us. It allowed us to focus on the characters and their environment, letting their personalities shine. I especially loved how David naturally stepped into the father role – he’s a fantastic dad in real life, so it felt authentic. Seeing him play that part felt completely right. And Shannon’s performance was incredible, especially considering this was her first major TV role. You could see her vulnerability at the start, and how the character gradually took over. It’s a very family-focused show, and I think starting with a strong, relatable family dynamic was a great choice. Showing the audience who these people are upfront makes you want to learn their story and understand how they got to where they are. They’re all so talented.

Kincaid’s Moral Ambiguity Will Lead To Some Twisty Surprises

I’ve watched the beginning of M.I.A. and I’m completely captivated. The world-building and characters are fantastic, and Kincaid is already a really compelling character. I’m curious to know what drew you to this series and this role in particular.

I was immediately interested in this project because of Bill Dubuque, the creator. My wife and I loved his show Ozark and I think he’s an incredibly talented storyteller – a rare voice in the industry. He’s passionate about crafting complex, morally grey characters and exploring the impact of crime on individuals and communities in a really unique way. I was particularly excited to play Kincaid, a quirky private investigator who brings a different energy to the story.

What initially drew me in was how different and unique his character feels compared to everyone else. That leads to my question: how much did you discuss his backstory with Bill and Karen to help shape your performance?

Absolutely. Karen really helped shape the character. I asked her to write a backstory for Kincaid, and she revealed he was struggling financially. He took the job because the pay was higher than usual, and he needed the money to cover his mother’s medical expenses. As a result, he was asked to avoid being too curious about who he was working for. Throughout the season, we see Kincaid grappling with difficult choices, and it really forced him to confront his own sense of right and wrong. I thought that internal struggle was portrayed very effectively.

I really liked that small hint! It leads perfectly into my next question: he seems to be a fascinating link between those who uphold the law and those who operate outside of it, especially considering Etta’s pursuit of her family’s killers. Could you share anything more about how he’ll be involved, and whether he’ll end up helping or hindering her?

You know, I’d love to spill the beans about this new project, really I would! But I’m sworn to secrecy for now. [Laughs] I can tell everyone watching that they’re in for something special when it’s finally revealed – it’s going to be quite a journey, a real rollercoaster ride, actually. It’s a crime drama, but it’s also packed with action and thrills, and it doesn’t hold back at all. From the very beginning, it just grabs you and doesn’t let go – I think audiences are going to be hooked!

Dubuque & Campbell Looked At Over 300 Actors For Etta Before Landing On Shannon Gisela

ScreenRant asked Karen about working with Bill to develop the story and setting for M.I.A.

Karen Palmer described meeting Bill for the first time in the summer of 2022 via Zoom, and they immediately connected over their shared passion for character-focused stories set in immersive worlds. Bill then shared the script for the M.I.A. pilot with her, and she was instantly hooked. She loved the show’s creative world-building and compelling characters, especially the idea of following 21-year-old Etta’s journey to avenge her family. Palmer was drawn to the realistic portrayal of Etta – a determined, intelligent young woman, not a highly trained operative – and enjoyed the concept of her building a support system along the way, all while pursuing a dangerous mission.

ScreenRant was particularly fascinated by the character’s incredible memory and eager to see how she’d achieve her well-deserved revenge. They felt Shannon Gisela was the only perfect choice for the role and asked the filmmakers about their experience finding her to play Etta.

That whole situation with getting the role was handled by Karen and the casting director. I only heard about it later and was happy for her, but she was the one who made it happen.

We were thrilled to get Bill’s approval for the project, but what really excited us was the character of Etta, from his original script. She’s such a unique character, and we were eager to find a fresh face to play her. Our casting director, Rich Delia, and I agreed that finding the right person was key, so we looked at over 300 actors. We weren’t just looking for a good actor; we needed someone who was Etta. When we saw Shannon’s audition tape, we knew she had potential. But it was during the in-person callbacks that she truly shone – she had the wit, strength, intelligence, and drive that define the character. Finding Shannon was fantastic! She’s incredibly talented as an actress and a wonderful person. Grant, she even impressed us during a technical issue with her tape – she calmly re-did the audition without hesitation, immediately embodying Etta again. That showed us she’s reliable, dedicated, and has a strong work ethic – exactly what we need. She’s an invaluable addition to the team, and she’s just phenomenal in the role. I can’t wait for audiences to see her portrayal of Etta; she truly brings the character to life.

Be sure to dive into some of our other M.I.A.-related coverage with:

  • Bill Dubuque sharing why M.I.A. is more than an Ozark spiritual sequel
  • Dubuque offering an encouraging update on The Accountant 3
  • Cary Elwes opening up about reuniting with Mel Brooks for Very Young Frankenstein

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2026-05-08 00:25