Undercovers (NBC), Wednesdays, 8 p.m. EST
Suggested Reading
Kodjoe plays CIA agent/catering entrepreneur Steven Bloom in this action-spy series. He started as a model, but many will remember him as heartthrob Damon Carter on Showtime's Soul Food TV series. Since then, he's had movie roles in Madea's Family Reunion (2006), The Gospel (2005) and Brown Sugar (2002).
Undercovers (NBC), Wednesdays, 8 p.m. EST
In Undercovers, Mbatha-Raw stars opposite Kodjoe as his wife and partner-in-crime, Samantha Bloom. She's no stranger to the screen on British television. She starred in Spooks and the critically acclaimed sci-fi series Doctor Who.
Desperate Housewives (ABC), Sundays, 9 p.m. EST
Of course, this isn't Desperate Housewives' first season, but there will undoubtedly be some dramatic changes to Wisteria Lane with the addition of Renée Perry, an old college rival of Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman). Check her out, center stage, on the show's promo poster.
The Event (NBC), Mondays, 9 p.m. EST
He's joining good company in the list of black presidents on-screen: Morgan Freeman, Dennis Haysbert and even a young Sammy Davis Jr. Underwoo play President Elias Martinez, who's Afro-Cuban, in this conspiracy-thriller series.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO), Sundays, 8 p.m. EST
Your favorite stick-up man is back on HBO on its new drama, Boardwalk Empire. Williams plays Chalky White, the de facto mayor of Atlantic City's black community, on this Prohibition-era series.
Mad Men (AMC), Sundays, 10 p.m. EST
Every week The Root counts how many black folks are on Mad Men, and now Naughton, who starred as Lil' Kim in Notorious, can be added to the cast list — at least for a few episodes.
The Whole Truth (ABC), Wednesdays, 10 p.m. EST
She plays Lena Gaudet, a go-getting Ivy Leaguer, determined to become partner the minute after she steps into the firm at James Brogan & Associates. Have you seen her before? She's also had several one-time appearances on television series (Nip/Tuck, CSI: Miami, Lie to Me).
Blue Bloods (CBS), Fridays, 10 p.m. EST
Alexander appears on Blue Bloods as Detective Demarcus, partner to Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg). He was Flex Washington on the UPN sitcom One on One. And you might remember him from the short-lived, out-of-this-world sitcom Homeboys in Outer Space.
Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Tuesdays, 10 p.m. EST
McDaniel returns to television as Sgt. Jesse Longford, a 24-year veteran on the brink of retirement. On policing in Detroit: "I been a cop in Detroit so long, when I started, half the suspects was white." He's best known for his seven years on NYPD Blue. Looks like McDaniel couldn't stay away from the police unit.
Law & Order: Los Angeles (NBC), Wednesdays, 10 p.m. EST
Deputy District Attorney Jonah "Joe" Dekker (Howard) is partnered with Ricardo Morales (Alfred Molina) and will appear in half the episodes this season. Aside from a cameo in Living Single (as one of Max's young lovers) and a stint on UPN's short-lived legal sitcom Sparks, Howard is pretty new to the small screen.
Chase (NBC), Mondays, 10 p.m. EST
Rollins is sticking to law enforcement in her role on NBC's new police drama. After her role in The L Word as soldier Tasha Williams, she's finding a niche for herself as a woman in uniform.
No Ordinary Family (ABC), Tuesdays, 8 p.m. EST
George St. Cloud (Malco) is an assistant district attorney and black best friend (BBF) to Jim Powell, the super-strong police artist heading up the No Ordinary Family cast. You may have seen Malco in The 40-Year-Old Virgin or Baby Mama or as Conrad Shepard in Showtime's Weeds.
Mike & Molly (CBS), Mondays, 9:30 p.m. EST
Wilson stars as Officer Carl McMillan, Mike's wise-cracking partner. McMillan is quite the fast-talker and a big supporter of his pal Mike's weight-loss plan. Seen his face before? He played Theo's college buddy on The Cosby Show and also had a role on Martin as Martin Payne's Eddie Murphy-impersonating cousin.
Law & Order: Los Angeles (NBC), Wednesdays, 10 p.m. EST
Evelyn Price is a deputy district attorney in this latest Law & Order spinoff. Viewers familiar with Hall's work will get to see her serious side after her roles in the Scary Movie franchise, Malibu's Most Wanted and The Best Man.
Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Tuesdays, 10 p.m. EST
Det. Damon Washington is the rookie in the homicide department. And although he's a young actor, Hill has already nabbed a 2010 Tony Award nomination for his role in Superior Donuts.
The Big C (Showtime), Mondays, 10:30 p.m. EST
In what started as a temporary spot on the series, Sidibe — who again plays a student, Andrea — nabbed a recurring role on this show starring Laura Linney (as Cathy Jamison) as a teacher seeking hope and humor after her cancer diagnosis. Unlike Sidibe's character on Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire, Andrea is a confident, smart-alecky student who helps Linney find hope in her situation.
The Whole Truth (ABC), Wednesdays, 10 p.m. EST
Walker plays senior assistant district attorney Terrence Edgecomb in this legal drama. He played Howlin' Wolf in 2008's Cadillac Records and is best known for his role as Kareem Said in HBO's Oz.
Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Tuesdays, 10 p.m. EST
In this new crime drama, Hinds is Lt. Maureen Mason, who manages the homicide unit of the Detroit Police Department. Recognize her? Hinds played a voodoo lady on HBO's True Blood for one season and also had a short stint on TNT's Hawthorne in its first season.
Outlaw (NBC), Wednesdays, 10 p.m. EST
Al Druzinsky (Ramsey), the liberal defense attorney and Cyrus Garza's (Jimmy Smits) best friend, is a hopeless optimist. Fans of Showtime's Dexter will be happy to see him back on the screen. Or maybe you remember him as Pastor David Randolph on UPN's Good News?
Hellcats (CW), Wednesdays, 9 p.m. EST
Jones plays a black male cheerleader in this teen comedy-drama series. He's had several one-offs on TV series, including Raising the Bar, Southland and Dark Blue. Sharon Leal (Why Did I Get Married?) and D.B. Woodside (24, The Temptations) will have recurring roles in the series, too.
My Generation (ABC), Thursdays, 8 p.m. EST
On My Generation, a docu-style TV series following a group of classmates 10 years after they graduate from high school, Brooks plays Rolly Marks, a devoted husband and soon-to-be father who's in combat in Afghanistan. But the show didn't catch fire with audiences and was cancelled after just two episodes.
If you were a fan of True Blood's second season, then you'll definitely remember this face. Or perhaps you caught Brooks in CW's trash/BET's treasure, The Game.
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