NBC Grabs JJ Abrams' UNDERCOVERS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – May 3, 2010 – NBC has issued its first scripted series pickup for the 2010-11 season with the order of the drama "Undercovers" from acclaimed writer/producer/director J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek," "Fringe," "Lost," "Alias") and executive producer/writer Josh Reims ("Brothers and Sisters"), it was announced today by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"We have tremendous confidence in this promising series and feel this is a great way to kick off our upcoming Upfront development announcements," said Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment. "J.J. has delivered another signature series, along with our partners at Warner Bros., and we couldn’t be happier."

"Having J.J. on our creative team is a great reason for celebration," said Bromstad. "In ‘Undercovers,’ J.J. and Josh have found a breakout couple that is rich in character and brimming with romance and action. We feel he’s found the perfect cast."

Abrams serves as co-writer, executive producer – and also directs – his first direction of a TV series pilot since "Lost." "Undercovers" is a sexy, fun, action-packed spy drama that proves once and for all that marriage is still the world’s most dangerous partnership. Outwardly, Steven Bloom (Boris Kodjoe, "Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion," "Soul Food," "Resident Evil: Afterlife") and his wife, Samantha (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, "Doctor Who," "Bonekickers"), are a typical married couple who own a small catering company in Los Angeles and are helped by Samantha’s easily frazzled younger sister, Lizzy (Jessica Parker Kennedy, "Smallville").

Secretly, the duo were two of the CIA’s best spies until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired. When fellow spy and friend Nash (Carter MacIntyre, "American Heiress") goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney, "Deadwood") to locate and rescue Nash. The pair is thrust back into the world of espionage as they follow leads that span the globe — and Steven and Samantha realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing. Also starring is Ben Schwartz (NBC’s "Parks and Recreation").

"Undercovers" is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was written by J.J. Abrams & Josh Reims and directed by Abrams. Abrams, Reims and Bryan Burk ("Fringe," "Lost, "Alias") are the executive producers