Fat Joe has been cast in the “New York Undercover” reboot for ABC.
According to Variety, the Dick Wolf-produced reboot will follow detectives Nat Gilmore (played by Toby Sandeman) and Melissa Ortiz (played by Otmara Marrero) as they investigate crimes from Harlem to the lower west side in Manhattan. Joe will play a wicked gangster named Beto, a role that has been described as “very important” to the show’s storyline.
Malik Yoba will reprise his role as Dt. J.C. Williams. As the veteran, Williams will oversee and mentor the next generation of NYPD detectives. Luna Lauren Velez—who played Dt. Nina Moreno during the show’s original run— will also reprise her role. Mc Lyte, Anna Enger and Octavio Pizano have all been attached to the reboot that was announced by Dick Wolf back in December. Following the announcement, ABC ordered a pilot and filming is currently underway.
Fat Joe’s film career dates back to 1999 with his small role in the film “Whiteboyz.” Most recently he has appeared in the Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish comedy “Night School,” and had a reoccurring role as Winny Win Winford in the Spike Lee Netflix series “She’s Gotta Have It.”
“New York Undercover” ran for four seasons between 1994-1999. Executive produced by Uptown Records founder and CEO Andre Harrell and “Law & Order” franchise creator Dick Wolf, the series starred Malik Yoba as Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Dt. Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City that tried to balance their intense personal lives while investigating various crimes and gang-related cases around the city. Torres was killed during the season three finale after his wedding with Moreno.
The show is best known for being the first police drama on television to feature people of color in the starring roles and was a part of Fox’s Thursday night line-up that included “Living Single” and “Martin.”
Emmy Award-winning director Anthony Hemingway will executive produce the show along with Wolf and is directing the pilot. Universal Television and ABC Studios will produce the show in association with Wolf Films.