Back on TV
MALIK Yoba, who starred as Detective JC Williams in the 1990s show New York Undercover, is set to reprise the role in the ABC reboot, sources tell Variety.
Picking up 20 years after the end of the original series, New
York Undercover will follow detectives Nat Gilmore and Melissa Ortiz as they investigate the city’s most dangerous criminals from Harlem to Battery Park. This time around, Williams is overseeing the unit and the next generation of detectives.
ABC announced they were picking up the reboot to pilot in January, as well as hinting that several cast members would be jumping back on board for the reboot.
The 2019 iteration will be written and executive produced by the original’s creator Dick Wolf, as well as Hand Of God creator Ben Watkins.
The iconic original show starred Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres who set about tackling organised crime in New York alongside Williams. ABC is yet to clarify which other cast members might be reprising their roles.
In related news, Variety has learned, Jimmy Smits has been cast in one of the lead roles in the NBC legal drama pilot Bluff City Law.
Smits joins previously announced co-lead Caitlin McGee.
The project is described as a character-driven legal drama that follows the lawyers of an elite Memphis law firm that specialises in the most controversial landmark civil rights cases.
Led by legendary lawyer Elijah Strait (Smits) and his brilliant daughter, Sydney Keller (McGee), they take on the toughest Davidand-Goliath cases while navigating their complicated relationship.
Smits is a broadcast mainstay who has previously starred on shows like LA Law, NYPD Blue, and The West Wing. He also recently appeared in the broadcast shows 24: Legacy and How To
Get Away With Murder. On cable and streaming, Smits has appeared on shows like Sons Of
Anarchy, The Get Down ,and
Dexter. He is also known for playing Senator Bail Organa in two of the Star Wars prequel trilogy films and Rogue One. – Reuters