Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque’s new crime drama M.I.A. is set to introduce fans to a rising star who will definitely become one to watch over the coming years.

The gripping thriller series will be premiering on Paramount+ in the UK and Peacock in the US on Thursday, 7th May, with all nine episodes landing at once.

Set across Miami and the Florida Keys, the new series follows Etta Tiger Jonze, the ambitious daughter of a family of notorious drug runners whose story ends in tragedy.

When the rest of her family is killed, Etta will have to navigate Miami’s vibrant underworld to carve out her destiny, eventually becoming one of Florida’s most powerful crime lords.

Stepping into the role of Etta is newcomer Shannon Gisela, making her professional on-screen debut with an electric leading role that’s poised to cement her as one of the year’s biggest rising stars.

So what do we know about her life and career up to this point?

According to Gisela’s IMDb biography, much like Etta she’s a South Florida native and was raised by a Venezuelan mother and Irish-American father.

She earned a B.S. in Psychology with a Specialty in Leadership Studies at the University of Central Florida, where she took part in improv groups and got her start in performing with a Saturday Night Live x Upright Citizens Brigade Scholarship.

Her roles up to this point have included various short films, including some that have premiered at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals, as well as minor roles in TV movies Dose and The Secrets We Keep.

She has recently lent her voice to Netflix’s animated adult sitcom Strip Law, which premiered earlier this year and stars Severance’s Adam Scott and Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James. M.I.A. is her first major live-action role.

At the moment, it’s unknown whether Gisela is single or currently in a relationship. The actress has kept her personal and family life to herself so far and primarily posts photos of herself and occasionally her friends on social media.

In an Instagram post dated May 2022, she reflected on her decision to move to California a year to the day previously and revealed she “met a bunch” of people and “fell in love” with one.

She also admitted the year had been “challenging” and has grown used to spending time alone.

“I’m convinced that getting good at being alone is so you can get reaaally good at being there for others SO,” Gisela added, then told her followers: “Anyway, with that I urge anyone who’s thinking of doing something wonderful and scary, do it!”

During her most recent red carpet appearances, including the premiere of M.I.A at the Miami Film Festival, Gisela was not wearing an engagement or wedding ring.

M.I.A. premieres Thursday, 7th May on Paramount+.