Intriguing!

[sigelphoenix]

Undercovers, a new show by J.J. Abrams slated to start in fall, is an action-drama about a husband and wife spy team.

That husband and wife, Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, are also Black. I'm excited and intrigued, because the last time we've had prominent Black characters like this on mainstream U.S. television has been ... never?

Also, Gugu Mbatha-Raw played Tish Jones, a.k.a. the sister of Martha, in Doctor Who. 8D

Comments

[royalarchivist]

"I'm excited and intrigued, because the last time we've had prominent Black characters like this on mainstream U.S. television has been ... never?"

Ah, hrmm, I was going to refute this part, pointing out such shows as The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, Family Matters... and then I realized all of those shows (and others I can think of that feature an all-black or predominantly black cast) are sitcoms. :|

I can't think of a single drama that features lead characters who are black. There have been a lot of dramas with one or two (or maybe more, but I can't think of any I've seen) black persons in almost-lead roles, or acting as co-leads with a white guy (always a guy, it seems), but no... never a drama that centered on one or more black persons. :\

So yeah, though I'm no fan of Abrams's television works, I really hope this show succeeds. :)

[sigelphoenix]

Right, yeah - I didn't explain what I meant by "characters like this," but you got it exactly. :D

Oddly enough, I haven't seen much of Abrams' work - only the first season of Lost and some of Felicity, way back when. So I don't have much in the way of expectations with this show, just hopes.

[royalarchivist]

I'm in the same boat as you, although I've also seen his Star Trek movie, which is why I had to mention not being a fan of his TV work specifically. But his female characters, from what I seen, tend to not suck, which gives me hope that his POC characters won't either. So there's a chance it won't be outright offensive!! XD

[royalarchivist]

"from what I seen?"

*cries at the typo and DW's inability to change comments*

[sigelphoenix]

*pats* Don't worry, I know your grammar skills well enough to overlook the typo. XD

[royalarchivist]

*sniffle*

Thank you. :3