Shannon Gisela is an American television and voice actress. She has the lead role in Peacock series M.I.A. (2026).

Shannon Gisela
EducationUniversity of Central Florida
OccupationActress
Years active2019-present
TelevisionM.I.A.

Career

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Gisela grew up in Dania Beach, Florida. She attended the University of Central Florida, where she majored in psychology with a specialty in leadership studies, graduating in 2019. Having performed in an improv group at college, she went on to study improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade.[1][2]

Gisela had roles in the short film Chasers, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and voiced the investigator Irene Gumb in the Netflix animated comedy Strip Law. [1]

Gisela was cast as Etta Tiger Jonze in Bill Dubuque-created crime thriller M.I.A. for Peacock, her first leading role.[3] She describes the character as "whip-smart…[with] a real sense of justice", and related to the character initially "struggling with a sense of purpose" because "in my early 20s, I didn't know what I wanted to major in. I had no idea".[4] The series aired in May 2026.[5]

Personal life

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She is of Venezuelan & Irish-American descent. [6]

Partial filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2025 Chasers Elsie Short film
2026 Strip Law Ilene Gumb 10 episodes
2026 M.I.A. Etta Tiger Jonze Lead role

References

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  1. 1 2 Champagne, Christine (May 7, 2026). "One Phone Call Literally Changed M.I.A. Star Shannon Gisela's Life". televisionacademy.com. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  2. Hurtado, Yamillah (15 May 2026). "Shannon Gisela Explains How She Went from Pursuing Psychology Career to Landing the Lead Role in M.I.A. (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  3. "How to Get Cast on Peacock's 'M.I.A.'". Backstage. May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  4. Butler, Karen (7 May 2026). "Shannon Gisela: Etta's smart, has a real sense of justice on 'M.I.A.'". upi. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  5. "Shannon Gisela stars in Miami-set crime thriller series 'M.I.A.'". CNN. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  6. Hill-Paul, Lucas (May 6, 2026). "Who is Shannon Gisela? Meet the South Florida native taking on Peacock thriller M.I.A." aol.com. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
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