Saagar Kote
Peacock’s ‘M.I.A.’ is about Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela), an ambitious resident of the Florida Keys who longs for a future in Miami. However, her life is upended when her family is murdered before her eyes, an act of violence that destroys their drug-trafficking enterprise. After narrowly escaping the slaughter, Etta pledges to seek vengeance against the cartel members responsible for her family’s death. Venturing into Miami’s glowing and unpredictable underworld, she joins forces with new allies Lovely (Brittany Adebumola) and Stanley (Rylan Jackson) to dismantle one of the most dominant cartels in the city.
As internal conflicts fracture the organization and its growing power endangers all of Miami, Etta’s relentless quest for retribution pushes her to her limits. To truly complete her act of revenge, Etta may have to confront difficult choices that could alter her life forever. Created by Bill Dubuque, the crime thriller drama series explores vengeance in all its complexities. This list features shows similar to ‘M.I.A.’ that contain layered characters, crime, redemption, and more.
8. Revenge (2011-2015)
‘Revenge’ deals with the life of Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), a wealthy newcomer who arrives in the Hamptons and quickly gains access to the elite social circle surrounding Grayson Global CEO Conrad Grayson (Henry Czerny) and his wife Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe). However, Emily conceals a carefully planned motive. Known as Amanda Clarke in the past, Emily witnesses her father, David Clarke (James Tupper), being falsely accused of financing a terrorist organization. She is now determined to exact revenge on those she believes destroyed her father’s life, particularly Conrad and Victoria, by systematically dismantling the world they built. Mike Kelley is the creator of the ABC drama series, which complements ‘M.I.A.’ through its focus on the themes of revenge, female liberation, secret motives, and puzzling identities.
7. Bloodline (2015-2017)
Netflix’s ‘Bloodline’ revolves around Danny Rayburn (Ben Mendelsohn), who returns to his family’s home in Florida, reopening tensions that have long existed within the household. His relationship with his parents, Robert Rayburn (Sam Shepard) and Sally Rayburn (Sissy Spacek), remains deeply strained, contributing to growing conflict and emotional distance. Danny feels isolated from the rest of the family and believes he is treated as an outsider. As he attempts to reestablish himself in their lives, he drives the family towards unexpected situations that it is not prepared for. Created by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, and Daniel Zelman, the thriller-drama series is a nuanced exploration of family ties, personal ambitions, and the value of redemption, much like ‘M.I.A.’
6. Animal Kingdom (2016-2022)
TNT’s ‘Animal Kingdom’ is a crime drama series created by Jonathan Lisco, based on the eponymous Australian film directed by David Michôd. It centers on the Cody family, a criminal family operating through a web of illegal activities and concealed secrets under the control of matriarch Janine Cody (Ellen Barkin). The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Joshua Cody (Finn Cole), who relocates to Southern California to reside with his unconventional relatives after his mother’s passing.
As he adjusts to their manipulative and violent environment, Joshua gradually discovers the extent of the Cody family’s criminal operations and the complicated dynamics that hold them together. What follows is a tense living situation where everyone seems to have their own interests. In ways similar to ‘M.I.A.,’ the show explores family relationships and the hold they have on young characters seeking a sense of meaning in life.
5. Ozark (2017-2022)
Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ is about the life of Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), a financial advisor who relocates his family from the Chicago suburbs to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri after a money-laundering operation connected to a Mexican drug cartel collapses. Accompanied by his wife, Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney), and their children, Marty attempts to establish a larger laundering operation to repay a dangerous cartel debt and protect his family.
As the Byrdes settle into the community, they become increasingly entangled with local criminal groups. While mounting threats surround them, the family’s strained relationships deepen. Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams are the creators of the crime drama series, which is similar to ‘M.I.A.’ due to its portrayal of the cartels, drug politics, revenge, misunderstandings, and personal lives of those looking for redemption in an unfair world.
4. Hotel Cocaine (2024-)
Created by Chris Brancato, MGM+’s ‘Hotel Cocaine’ focuses on Roman Compte (Danny Pino), the general manager of The Mutiny Hotel, which serves as a hub for the Miami drug scene during the late 1970s. While Roman strives to maintain the hotel’s reputation, his world is thrown into turmoil by the DEA. Upon discovering that his estranged brother, Nestor Cabal (Yul Vazquez), is a major figure in the city’s trafficking operations, the authorities coerce Roman into becoming an informant.
As he is forced to infiltrate Nestor’s dangerous criminal enterprise, Roman becomes entangled in a web of chaos and bloodshed that threatens to shatter his carefully constructed life. Much like ‘M.I.A.,’ the crime thriller drama series delves into the treacherous Miami underworld, the complexities of familial bonds, and the desperate measures individuals take to complete their objectives.
3. Claws (2017-2022)
‘Claws’ is a TNT comedy-drama series that sheds light on the experiences of Desna Simms (Niecy Nash), the owner of a nail salon in Florida, who becomes involved in organized crime alongside her group of manicurists. Their connection to the criminal world begins after they agree to launder money for a nearby pain clinic tied to local drug operations. As Desna and her friends become more deeply involved, they attempt to establish greater control within the organization. Complications emerge in Desna’s relationship with Roller (Jack Kesy) as it begins to unravel. Roller is a key figure connected to the drug network and has issues of his own. The Eliot Laurence creation, due to its depiction of the secrets of the drug world and the desire for greater power and meaning, is connected to ‘M.I.A.’
2. Griselda (2024)
Netflix’s ‘Griselda’ is a biographical crime drama series created by Doug Miro, Eric Newman, Carlo Bernard, and Ingrid Escajeda. It portrays the ups and downs of Griselda Blanco’s (Sofía Vergara) life as she attempts to build a profitable cartel and establish a powerful presence in Miami’s drug trade. She pursues influence, wealth, and control while balancing her role as a mother within a dangerous criminal world. As her operations expand, her personal relationships become increasingly entangled with the risks of organized crime. With everything at stake, Griselda must find her own path to happiness and success in a violent world. The show captures the essence of ‘M.I.A.’ by narrating a highly layered story of a woman’s journey to earn her place in a space overrun by crime, while also confronting personal demons.
1. Queen of the South (2016-2021)
‘Queen of the South’ sheds light on the trials and tribulations of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga), a woman from Sinaloa, who is drawn into the world of drug trafficking after the murder of her boyfriend, a cartel member. Forced to flee Mexico, she crosses into the US while trying to escape the criminal network pursuing her. Teresa gradually develops her own approach to the business and builds an expanding drug empire, gaining influence within the criminal underworld. As her power grows, she faces increasing danger and attention from law enforcement agencies.
Created by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller, the crime drama series is based on the novel ‘La Reina del Sur’ by Arturo Pérez-Reverte and the Mexican show of the same name (the novel’s title). Teresa’s relentless efforts to shape her own destiny by taking on powerful players are comparable to Etta’s journey in ‘M.I.A.’ Both shows feature powerful female protagonists who push beyond their limits to achieve their goals while also exploring the layers of the drug world. The visual elements and the character dynamics connect the shows on a deeper level.
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