Network: NBC
Who Is In It? Boris Kodjoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mekia Cox, Ben Schwartz, Carter MacIntyre, Gerald McRaney
What’s It All About? A creative collaboration between J.J. Abrams (Lost, Fringe) and Josh Reims (Brothers & Sisters, Felicity) creates a fractured dramedy about pair of former CIA agents turned caterers who are pulled back into covert activities when a friend from the agency turns up missing. As the double meaning of the title suggests, they become rather enamored with the adrenaline rush of their old occupation and, likely because of it, rekindle a romance wilted by long hours in a hot kitchen. Two of our drama critics hated Undercovers due to its thick layer of schmaltz — many of the best lines delivered with deadpan earnestness by Ben Schwartz, who must have had a hard time keeping a straight face — and improbable plot. This critic understands that in spy dramas all plots are improbable and thought the writing was as hilarious as in the film True Lies, which she adores. Thankfully, at least so far, there is no hint of the infamous Abrams story-within-a-story, but Undercovers does promise to give viewers plenty of lighthearted suspense and wedding cake as the couple tries to juggle both professions. This series may turn out to be the season’s best guilty pleasure.
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[...] Undercovers, from J.J. Abrams and starring Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, premieres Sept. 22 on NBC. [...]