Ozark Meets Dexter In Peacock’s New 9-Part Crime Thriller That’s Designed To Be Binged

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Peacock’s new thriller is drawing comparisons to the acclaimed series Ozark and Dexter, blending the smart writing, suspense, and moral ambiguity that made those shows so popular. All nine episodes are currently available for streaming. Both Ozark and Dexter are considered standouts in the crime drama genre, offering a rare combination of intelligence, thrills, and complex characters.

While it started a little slowly, Ozark eventually became highly acclaimed, with many comparing it to the hit show Breaking Bad. People loved its realistic portrayal of crime, gripping storyline, and Jason Bateman’s excellent acting. Dexter, on the other hand, was popular from the beginning, thanks to its mix of vigilante action, the main character’s internal struggles, intriguing mysteries, and compelling villains.

Peacock’s new thriller, M.I.A., aims to capture the suspense of shows like Dexter and Ozark. The series centers on Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela) and her pursuit of vengeance against the cartel responsible for her family’s murder. Although initial reviews have been somewhat mixed, plans are already underway for a second season, even without an official renewal. All nine episodes of M.I.A. are currently available on Peacock, making it ideal for a binge-watching session.

M.I.A. Comes From A Co-Creator Of Ozark & Takes A Lot Of Inspiration From It

The new series M.I.A. comes from Bill Dubuque, a co-creator of Ozark, and shares a similar style. Like Ozark, it’s a gritty and intelligent crime thriller. While M.I.A. takes a few more risks with its plot, both shows center on skilled individuals who become criminals and how that impacts their relationships.

Comparing the shows M.I.A. and Ozark is easiest when looking at their first episodes. Ozark begins with Marty and his partner being taken hostage by the cartel they work for after some money goes missing. M.I.A.‘s first episode also features a hostage situation – the entire Tiger Jonze family is captured after refusing to participate in human trafficking for the Rojas cartel. Both shows open with a similarly intense and visually striking hostage scene, though M.I.A.‘s is significantly more violent.

Both shows share similar locations. Ozark is set in the rural Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, while M.I.A. primarily takes place in Miami and the Florida Keys, including scenes in the Everglades. Both series center around criminals dealing with cartels and highlight a somewhat isolated, coastal environment. Though M.I.A. is generally more city-focused, its depiction of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood creates a feeling comparable to the setting of Ozark.

While M.I.A. and Ozark are different in some ways, they share common ground. M.I.A. leans more towards a traditional revenge story, though it suggests Etta will become a powerful crime boss later on. Ozark is similar to Breaking Bad. Despite these differences, both shows emphasize family relationships, put their main characters in unfamiliar and challenging situations, and explore how ordinary people can be led down a path of criminal behavior.

M.I.A. Also Has The Southern Florida Setting & Vigilante Killer Angle Of Dexter

I’ve been really captivated by M.I.A., and it’s fascinating to see how much of Dexter‘s spirit lives on in it. While Bill Dubuque created the show, Karen Campbell, who did incredible work on Dexter season 6, was also a key writer, and you can definitely feel her influence. Like Dexter, M.I.A. features a brilliant protagonist who takes the law into their own hands, targeting only criminals. Both shows follow these characters – Dexter and Etta – as they investigate and pursue justice, and they both share that unsettling, yet intriguing, focus on the darker side of things.

As a big fan of both shows, one thing that really struck me is how similar the worlds of M.I.A. and Dexter are. They’re both deeply rooted in South Florida, especially Miami, and both really lean into that vibrant, neon-lit aesthetic – they just look fantastic. But it’s not just the visuals; Miami feels like a character in both stories. There’s even a moment in M.I.A. where Etta gets rid of a body by dumping it in the ocean, and it instantly reminded me of Dexter’s go-to method – it’s a really cool parallel!

The show M.I.A., like the Dexter prequel Dexter: Original Sin, explores the transformation of a regular young woman into a skilled killer. While the reasons differ – Etta’s path is driven by tragedy, and Dexter is influenced by his internal compulsion – both series grapple with similar questions about the ethics of taking the law into one’s own hands, and feature a central character who is a morally gray anti-hero.

Like Dexter, the show M.I.A. also deeply explores the main character’s family and personal life. A lot of the first season of M.I.A. centers on Etta’s struggle to get revenge for her past while building relationships with her new family, Stanley and Lovely. Her interactions with them strongly echo the dynamic Dexter had with his sister, Debra Morgan, especially as Dexter went on. If you enjoyed Dexter or Ozark, M.I.A. is definitely worth checking out.

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2026-05-08 21:44