NBC Picks Up New J.J. Abrams Drama Series

NBC has picked up J.J. Abrams' Undercovers as its first new drama series for the 2010-11 season.

Abrams — who's been behind Alias, Felicity, Lostand Fringe — co-wrote, produced and directed the pilot. British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Bonekickers) and Boris Kodjoe (Resident Evil: Afterlife) will star as a married couple who are re-activated as CIA agents after five years of retirement.

Undercovers is the first pilot Abrams has directed since the Lost two-hour opener in 2004. About a year later, he segued into directing films such as Mission: Impossible IIIand the Star Trekreboot.

J.J. Abrams to direct pilot of NBC's Undercovers

"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 of NBC Universal TV Entertainment. "J.J. has delivered another signature series along with our partners at Warner Bros.,  and we couldn't be happier."

The drama, described as Mr. and Mrs. Smith-meets-The Bourne Ultimatum, follows Steven Bloom (Kodjoe) and Samantha (Mbatha-Raw), who own a small catering company in Los Angeles. They were two of the CIA's best spies until they fell in love and retired. The pair are thrust back into their former world of espionage when a friend and fellow spy goes missing while on a Russian arms dealer's trail.

Josh Reims (Brothers and Sisters) will serve as a co-writer and executive producer, and Bryan Burk (Fringe, Lost, Alias) is also on board as an executive producer.

Angela Bromstad, NBC's prime-time president, announced the pickup Monday, saying: "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."