Florida has been a staple location for TV series for decades, and for movies decades before that. From the neon-soaked streets of 1980s Miami Vice—where undercover detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs prowled South Beach in pastel suits to the brooding family secrets of the Rayburn clan in Bloodline, set in the Keys, the state’s diverse landscapes have lent themselves to drama, crime thrillers, and even medical sagas like Netflix’s “Pulse“, centered on the emergency ward of Maguire Hospital in Miami. This year promises another wave of series that showcases Florida.
Let’s take a look:
It’s Florida, Man (HBO):
This is a show that a lot of Floridians love to hate, maybe because it hits a little close to home. It’s got the Sunshine State’s finest citizens, the ones who battle alligators, cast evil spells of darkness on professional mermaids, or try to burn down their ex’s mobile home as revenge, you get the idea. It’s a late night sort of show, and one kids should definitely not be allowed to watch.
HBO officially renewed “It’s Florida, Man” for a second season on November 21, 2024. Production is underway, and the producers have opened a casting call—inviting Floridians to submit their wildest true stories for possible reenactment. No premiere date has been announced yet, but you can expect new episodes on HBO and Max in late 2025.
That’s not to be confused with
Florida Man (Netflix):
The crime-drama limited series Florida Man, starring Édgar Ramírez, premiered April 13, 2023, on Netflix. It was conceived as a self-contained seven-episode story and has not been renewed for further seasons.
Honestly, of the two, the wrong show got renewed, but that’s just my opinion.
Dexter: Original Sin
This prequel to the popular “Dexter” series bills itself as “Set in 1991 Miami, DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN follows Dexter Morgan as he transitions from student to avenging killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry, he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.”
Forensics? Seems like they are missing a good chance to have a CSI: Miami crossover. That would be pretty funny.
Crime and Consequence: Peacock’s M.I.A.
“Peacock’s straight-to-series order of M.I.A. from Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque, promises to delve into South Florida’s criminal underworld in gritty detail. Slated for a 2026 premiere (exact date TBA), M.I.A. follows Etta “Tiger” Jonze, whose entire family is brutally slaughtered before her eyes. Driven by vengeance, she rises from orphaned outcast to fearsome crime queenpin, navigating turf wars across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. Dubuque’s pedigree—having penned the intense, high-stakes storytelling of Ozark—suggests M.I.A. will blend character-driven drama with adrenaline-fueled action. Filming is already ‘underway in Miami, with producers emphasizing authentic locations over studio backlots, ensuring viewers experience both the glitz and grit of South Florida’s streets.”
Monroe County is of course the Florida Keys, but I think they’ll be in that OTHER part of Monroe: the one on the southwest corner of Florida’s peninsula that has only 1% of the county’s population. It’s the Everglades, Florida Bay and a lot of creatures that would like to take you to dinner. This one could be really good, because “Ozark” was great.
Foreign Intrigue: Florida Unpacked
The British do love their travelogue shows presented by their beloved actors as they slog through exotic locales and meet interesting people. It’s all described with lighthearted and witty banter, making you were traveling with the affable host. The shows are good-natured fun, and you get to see parts of the world that you might never see, so clook out for this one:
In “Florida Unpacked,” on BBC Two, “Alison Hammond and her 19-year-old son Aidan embark on a ten-part journey through Florida’s most iconic and hidden treasures. Far from the typical celebrity travelogue, this series marries Hammond’s warmth and observational humor with practical budget-travel tips, uncovering local eateries, historic sites, and natural wonders that often escape the average tourist. The show’s budget-friendly ethos—emphasizing cost-effective dining, accommodations, and activities—reflects Hammond’s own experiences traveling on a budget and her desire to make Florida accessible to all viewers.”
“Over ten episodes, audiences can expect Hammond’s trademark candid interviews, whether she’s sampling Cuban-American delicacies in Little Havana or kayaking through the Everglades, all while highlighting the state’s rich cultural tapestry.”
It should be showing up on Acorn or Britbox soon, we’re told. In the meantime, a search for the show on YouTube will unearth the trailer and a lot of other content on this show.
Polo’s Prestige: Prince Harry and Meghan’s “Polo” Docuseries
On the non-fiction front Netflix will have “Polo“, a five-episode docuseries executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, arriving December 10, 2024. Shot primarily at the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, the series offers unprecedented access to the sport’s elite athletes—capturing the training regimens, rivalries, and personal sacrifices behind the polished matches.”
Those folks never invite me to their parties, and I’m not sure about field hockey on horseback as a pastime, but it does sound like fun. If you are a billionaire, that is.
Speaking of people we’ll never hang out with
Glamour and Gossip: The Real Housewives of Miami, Season 7
Reality television. It’s all that needs to be said. It’s as real as rasslin’, and as authentic as that fake Rolex your college roommate used to sport. The show describes itself as “Florida’s social whirl, and Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami returns for its seventh season on June 11, 2025. Shot on location among the city’s luxury high-rises and waterfront estates, Season 7 reunites Alexia Nepola, Larsa Pippen, Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, and Guerdy Abraira, with newcomer Stephanie Shojaee shaking up established alliances.”
:Across the season’s weekly episodes, viewers can anticipate wedding drama, split-second friendship betrayals, and opulent group trips—from South Beach poolside parties to European escapes—underscoring Miami’s reputation as a playground for the rich and restless. As always, Andy Cohen and his production team strike a balance between high-fashion glamour and raw emotional moments, cementing the 305 area code as reality TV royalty.”
I wonder if the Housewives enjoy watching grown men play field hockey on horseback. I bet they’d love hanging out with a retired prince.
You might wonder about “Bad Monkey”, the Vince Vaughn show set in and around Key West, but Season 2 is being filmed in California. It will be interesting to see if the show’s plotline moves west, but since it’s not in Florida anymore, we don’t count it.
It’s fair to say that the Sunshine State will be well-represented on TV this year, and for a long time to come.
