Dick Wolf, the producer behind the Law & Order franchise, has paid tribute to Kevin Arkadie, his collaborator on the groundbreaking series New York Undercover, after Arkadie's death at age 68. The duo co-created the show, which broke new ground in television diversity during its run from 1994 to 1999.
Kevin Arkadie, a television writer and producer known for his work on several acclaimed series, passed away this week at the age of 68. His death was announced in a statement from Dick Wolf, with whom he co-created New York Undercover, a Fox drama that aired for four seasons between 1994 and 1999.
New York Undercover was groundbreaking as the first cop drama to feature two leads of color: Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres. The series followed the undercover detectives in New York City's Fourth Precinct as they investigated crimes and gang-related cases. The ensemble cast also included Patti D’Arbanville-Quinn, Lauren Velez, Jonathan LaPaglia, Marisa Ryan, Josh Hopkins, and Tommy Ford. Produced by Universal Television and Wolf Films, the show brought a fresh voice to the genre.
In his tribute, Wolf highlighted Arkadie's impact: “Kevin brought the voice of the next generation to cop shows and was instrumental in bringing diversity to the forefront of network television. We will all miss him.” Wolf, renowned for creating the Law & Order, Chicago, and FBI franchises, credited Arkadie with advancing representation on screen.
Arkadie's career extended beyond New York Undercover. He contributed to episodes of CBS's Chicago Hope, ABC's NYPD Blue, and FX's The Shield. More recently, he worked on BET series such as Sacrifice and The Quad, showcasing his versatility in dramatic storytelling.
The news of Arkadie's passing has prompted reflections on his legacy in elevating diverse narratives in prime-time television during the 1990s, a period when such representation was rare.