SOUTH MIAMI, Fla. – The highly anticipated premier of ABC's "Of Kings and Prophets" debuted Tuesday night, and one of the stars of the epic biblical saga was born and raised right here in Miami.
"From the beginning I knew it was something I was so lucky to be a part of," said Jeanine Mason, who plays Merav on the show.
The role required a new accent.
"Not a lot of standard British in the air in Miami, Florida," Mason said.
Mason's mother, Iliana, put together a "little" watch party from their South Miami home.
"Just a few of our closest friends," she said.
In true Miami fashion, the intimate gathering of about 100 watched on a big screen from a tennis court, all for Mason.
"She has just worked so hard. She's been on so many pilots that have not been picked up," Iliana Mason said. "As you can see, everybody is here celebrating and just proud of her."
The only one missing was Mason. She was in Los Angeles promoting the show.
"It's always so bittersweet," Mason said. "Because I wish I could be there with a croqueta in my mouth."
Alexis Mason said her sister hasn't forgotten her South Florida roots.
"She's such a South Florida girl," Alexis Mason said. "Anytime she comes home ... she says, 'I need a croqueta. I need my Cuban food.'"
The croquetas have to wait for now. She has her hands full with the new primetime drama that airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. on Local 10.