Chicago’s Phil Donlon Exec Producing FBI Drama In Works At Fox; Will the Pilot Land in the Windy City?

Fox is developing a one-hour drama about undercover FBI agents from Joy Blake (Beacon 23), The Nacelle Company and Fox Entertainment Studios. Among the executive producers for the project is Chicago’s Phil Donlon, who most recently graced his hometown TV screens portraying mobster “Simon McDougal” in the popular Power Book IV: Force series.

Donlon stopped by SCREEN to offer more insight into the series and its development.

“Unlike most law enforcement shows, here you’ll get to see the ‘sausage being made’ so-to-speak,” Donlon shared with SCREEN. “And, a very real portrayal of what it looks like to be a female in a male dominated field.”

In the Untitled Undercover FBI Project, a female FBI agent suffering a bad case of career burnout is sent to train a team of ambitious, determined rookies in what it takes to go deep undercover.

While Donlon has made in his mark in the industry as an actor, namely in the Chicago-made Power Book IV: Force series and the festival darling High and Outside, this leap into executive producing is an important one for the Chicago native. “I want to help create a show that challenges the idea that network television is a mindless medium,” Donlon shared with SCREEN. “I grew up on network TV and I’m excited to support Joy and Fox studios in bringing a transformative, ground breaking show to our television.”

Joining Donlon on this journey are fellow executive producers Matt Ochacher of the Nacelle Company, Brian Volk-Weiss and Michael Pelmont. Former FBI agents Scott Payne and Melissa Fortunato serve as consulting producers. Fox Entertainment Studios is the studio.

You Oughta Know Who Joy Blake Is

Untitled Undercover FBI Project is being written and executive produced by Joy Blake. Blake serves as executive producer and co-showrunner on Beacon 23, Spectrum Originals and AMC Networks’ psychological thriller series starring Lena Headey and Stephan James. The series is currently in production on Season 2.

Blake’s other credits include Netflix’s First Kill, supervising producer on Outlander, and co-executive producer on Next, The Passage, and The Resident…

When and Where Will the Pilot Shoot?

Which brings us to the all-important question: Where will Untitled Undercover FBI Project land? While shooting dates and locations are yet to be decided, Donlon tells SCREEN that Chicago is among the candidates for filming. We expect an announcement on these details by Summer, if not before.

Check back here as this pilot forges ahead into production. You can also click right here to subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.