According to the Hollywood Reporter, British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw has landed the female lead, opposite Boris Kodjoe, on 'Undercovers,' J.J Abrams' pilot for NBC.
'Undercovers,' which Abrams co-wrote with Josh Reims, is a series about a domesticated husband (Kodjoe) and wife (Mbatha-Raw) who are re-activated as CIA agents after years of retirement.
Abrams also will direct, making this the first pilot he has helmed since 'Lost' in 2004.
The daughter of a South African doctor and an English nurse, Mbatha-Raw hasn't appeared on American TV, but she recently finished her Broadway debut in 'Hamlet,' opposite Jude Law. She has also appeared on the British television series 'Spooks,' 'Bonekickers' and 'Doctor Who.'
Kodjoe, the son of a German psychologist and a Ghanaian physician, will next be seen in the science fiction-horror film' Resident Evil: Afterlife,' with Milla Jovovich.
Producers tell THR that although Kodjoe and Mbatha-Raw are biracial, casting for the pilot was done without regard to race and that they looked for the actors who had the best chemistry.
Comments: (6)
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By: Mookm988 on 1/15/2010 7:05AM
The producers are lying,they looked for the best actors that looked more white. There are plenty of black actors that could have played in this NBC series.Kodjoes is good but there happens to be black american actors that are a lot better than him for instance Morris Chestnut, even Howard Terrence. Maybe it's the names that they are impressed with because Gugu is a name I have never heard of, so why pick her other than the fact that she looks white and she is not very pretty.
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By: monall on 1/15/2010 1:20PM
I can't disagree with you more on the fact that Boris is not a good actor. I find him to be a very good actor often overlooked. It shouldn't matter anymore the tint of ones skin as long as they are putting afr-amer actors/actress in lead roles. In the article they mention that Gugu has not been on amer-t.v. As a dark afr-amr woman I have chosen to try everyday to look at ethnic people as other than hues. Yes the entertainment world look for the most caucasian featured afr-amer, but that doesn't mean WE as ethnic people have to start to beat down on our own it's just sad and why THEY continue to divide us because we keep the river open with deep cuts.
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By: Isla on 1/15/2010 2:44PM
While it is true that Eurocentric tastes run Hollywood, it is not fair to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Boris isn't Oscar-level, but he is not bad at his profession.
True, there are outstanding black actors with either darker and fairer complexions, white complexions (Wentworth Miller,) and some of which ride the fence by claiming a less-discriminated racial identity and but snatch up the black roles--Zoe Saldana...are you listening?)
True, there are only a limited amount of roles for blacks. I understand your irritation at this article's condescension to us. However, it is not fair to slam the chosen actors for a sociological issue that preceeded them; they are accountable for what they do with their advantageous position. Perhaps their success will open doors for the other black actors who deserve a chance? Hollywood's love affair with all things anything-but-black sucks, but it is what it is.
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By: Mink8 on 1/26/2010 4:59AM
How rude! Gugu is a close personal friend of mine. She happens to be a fantastic actress and she is beautiful. What an unchristian comment you shallow idiot! You haven't even heard of her so who are you to pass comment?!
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By: Jane on 1/22/2010 2:15PM
Mookm988 how can you say that Guju is not pretty? she is absolutely stunning, very unique looking & way above average!
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By: Kevin on 6/21/2010 5:50PM
Sorry Mook, but I have seen Ms. Raw's work, and she is not bad at what she does. Plus, she is easy on the eyes.
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