Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Los Angeles, Sep 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Although the premier of “Undercovers” failed to impress many, few will disagree to the fact that new J.J. Abram creation’s cast sets it apart from any other on going spy series on television. The NBC spy series has put Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw with the charge of leading the show to success with their action packed performances. It is for the first time that a spy series, apart from the ensemble of “Grey’s Anatomy”, has as its leading cast two colored actors.

Although there are many who would give example of other African-American sitcoms and television serials, the case of “Undercovers” is different from them as it is has a story that follows a mainstream spy drama rather than one that tries to explore the social issues and family pathos of African-Americans. Many analysts have mentioned that the “Undercovers” cast is a rarity in American television. Writer and filmmaker John Ridley said that the casting of Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as spies marks a “huge progress”. The writer who has to his credit films like “Three Kings” and “Third Watch” confessed that as a person of color he loves to watch shows that deal with “issue-oriented stuff”, but added at the same time that it feels great to see two black people doing “what two white people would do on any TV show”.

A German actor, Boris Kodjoe said to media sources that he is glad to be a part of a show that is being considered by many as a breakthrough for U.S. television in general and for NBC in particular. He mentioned that “It’s quite a proud moment” for “Undercovers” that will be dealing with lighthearted spy adventures rather than the couple’s being black.