Netflix just released a sneak peek at its new series Florida Man. The title makes note of the running joke that every day, the news has a different headline that incriminates “Florida man” in some wild mischief. That is to say, a man from Florida does something outrageous and newsworthy every day. Florida Man looks like it will show everyone the chaos the state is famous for and make a superhero out of this anonymous news icon. The teaser trailer alone is filled with improvised explosives, deodorant flamethrowers, and guns on fishing lines.
Edgar Ramirez, the star of the series, plays a protagonist who wants nothing more than to leave the state he grew up in. But he must complete an almost insurmountable task to get out of the state. Netflix created the series on a limited run, but the trailer already seems like a crowd-pleaser. It’s a detective story for the modern world. Set in a state famous for being a tropical paradise, Florida Man pulls back the thin veneer of sunshine and theme parks to reveal the frightening anarchy that makes up everyday life in Florida. Florida Man promises all the ironic social commentary of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia combined with the depth and action of a classic gangster film.
Florida Man: The Plot
Mike Valentine is a detective that grew up in Florida. Long ago, he managed to escape the state he always hated. Now, after establishing a prominent career as a detective and a stable life in Philadelphia, he must travel back to the place he always hated. Hired by a Philly mobster, Valentine has to find the shady man’s girlfriend, who has somehow disappeared in the swampy Sunshine State. What should be a simple job turns into an epic journey that spirals out of control until Valentine is lost amongst the mangrove swamps and tourist-laden streets.
The trailer parks seem more dangerous than they do on the news after he explains to his girlfriend that he never wants to return to his home state. But there isn’t a way to escape this job. Traveling into this beautiful paradise to find an answer for why this gangster’s girlfriend is gone, he has to contend with open-carry gun laws, senseless drugged-out residents, and screaming men wielding katanas inside gas stations.
Florida Man promises to be a wild romp through a paradise that turns out to be a land filled with the unexpected. Viewers might not be able to prepare themselves for this, as a state meant to be a calm place to retire is suddenly revealed to be a frantic mess. Valentine must find this mobster’s girlfriend quickly or risk uncovering his past along with some violent locals.
Florida Man: The Cast
Florida Man is led by Edgar Ramirez as Detective Mike Valentine. A Florida-born individual himself, he has since moved out of the state, had his adventures, and settled into a stable but troubling role as a detective for some less-than-savory characters. He is now forced to return to his home state to complete a job for a Philadelphia crime boss. Abbey Lee plays Valentine’s girlfriend, Delly West. She seems fully on board with the plan to go to sunny Florida, but it’s quickly revealed that she doesn’t understand the true character of the state. She’s soon caught up in the wild adventure that leads them down a rabbit hole of finding trouble in paradise.
Clark Gregg (The Avengers, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) stars as Sheriff Ketcher. Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace, So I Married an Axe Murderer) plays Sonny Valentine. Paul Schnieder (All the Real Girls, Bright Star) contributes in the role of Andy Boone. Emory Cohen (Lords of Chaos, The OA) plays Moss Yankov. Lex Scott Davis (Superfly, Unbreak My Heart) plays a woman named Iris. Otmara Merrero (Clementine, Yoshua) is Patsy. Lauren Bulioli (A Jazzman’s Blues, Under His Influence) plays Kaitlin Fox.
Sibongile Mlambo (Lost in Space, Teen Wolf) will be Clara. Leonard Earl Howze (Barber Shop, The Lone Ranger) plays a man named Ray-Ray. Michael Esper (Ben is Back, Broadway Idiot) has been cast in the show but is currently unlisted in a specific role. Owen Harn (Cobra Kai, Into the Badlands) performs as Jimmy. Mark Jeffery Miller (The Patriot, Hunger Games: The Mockingjay – Part 2) is in his role as Buzz. Isaiah Johnson (Person of Interest, Life Lines: Before His Last Breath) plays Benny. Isabel Gameros (Queen of the South, Deranged Granny) will perform as Tyler. Brandon Hirsch (Black Lightning, Undercover Brother 2) is Chip Devins. And Nicholas Roylance (The Boondock Saints: Saints Never Die, Punisher: Blood Frenzy) plays a character named Llewelyn but is listed as Tweaker.
Florida Man: Release Date
Florida Man is scheduled for release later this year on Netflix on Apr. 13.