Niecy Nash-Betts’ arresting appeal drives ABC dramedy ‘The Rookie: Feds’
12.10.2022 - 03:19
/ nypost.com
“The Rookie: Feds,” and the ABC dramedy, starring Niecy Nash-Betts, has the right stuff to stick around for a while.Nash-Betts (“Reno 911!,” “Claws”) is no stranger to the small screen — or to viewers of “The Rookie,” on which Nash-Betts’ ever-optimistic “Feds” protagonist, Simone Clark, was introduced last season in a two-part episode of the Nathan Fillion series — aka a “backdoor pilot” (read: good chance for a spinoff). Nash-Betts, who knows what she’s doing, adds splashes of quirkiness and humor to Simone, the oldest rookie in the FBI Academy.
She’s a former high school guidance counselor who, after helping Fillion’s LAPD officer John Nolan capture a terror suspect on “The Rookie,” is now training for permanent spot in L.A.’s Special Investigative Unit under the watchful eye of Special Agent Matthew Garza. (He’s played by Felix Solis, who appeared in “The Rookie” backdoor pilot episodes and is best-known to “Ozark” fans as cartel kingpin Omar Navarro.
As Garza, he pivots effortlessly here to a somewhat comedic, “what have I gotten myself into?” role. Frankie Faison is also back as Simone’s father, Christopher “Cutty” Clark.)What I’ve enjoyed about “The Rookie: Feds” is the chemistry between Nash-Betts and her supporting cast.
Kevin Zegers (“Rebel,” “Fear the Walking Dead”), in a tip of the meta cap, plays Brendon Acres, a chiseled-jaw actor who starred in the YA hit series “Vampire Cop.” He’s chucked it all to join the FBI training program alongside Simone. (Zegers starred in the 2011 movie “Vampire”).
They make a fun odd-couple pair for their exasperated mentors, Special Agent Laura Stenson (Britt Robertson) and Special Agent Carter Hope (James Lesure). Stenson is tasked with curbing Brendon’s actorly, showbiz
.