US-educated Vir Das, who plays the role of a CIA agent, becomes the latest Indian import on American television.
Looks like Priyanka Chopra has some competition coming her way — even though it’s not from Hollywood, but from her home turf of India. Vir Das, a young stand-up comedian from Delhi, would be seen playing an important role in soon-to-premiere TV series Whiskey Cavalier on ABC.
Das would be playing a CIA agent on the show. (Chopra plays the role of an FBI agent on Quantico.) Up till now, Chopra-Jonas has been the sole Indian who has had the honor of making it big on American television.
In what looks like to be a very promising role for an Indian to bag in an American series, Das looks set to add to the list of successful Indian imports.
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The new action “dramedy” series has already had a big start when it was launched as a sneak-peak on Oscars Sunday, February 24, right after the ceremony telecast and before its official premiere. The full episode would be shown on February 27. It was the first time ABC premiered a drama series right after the awards telecast. But in case you feel that you have already missed seeing Das in his debut episode, then take heart, the pilot episode will be shown again on its original premiere date of February 27.
Vir Das plays the character Jai Datta in the series, who follows the adventures of secret agents Will Chase, played by Scott Foley, and Frankie Trowbridge, played by Lauren Cohan. The two lead an inter-agency team of flawed and funny but sincere spies who play a part in saving the world from time to time. Other star casts include Ana Ortiz as Susan Sampson, Tyler James Williams as Edgar Standish.
As Jai Datta, Vir Das becomes a part of Whiskey Cavalier. This may not be the first time for Das is seen on American television. In 2017, he made a short appearance on Conan O’Brien’s Late Night Show. He is also seen on Netflix with his show Abroad Understanding.
Das also had a previous connection with the United States. He came to the country to study economics and theatre from Knox College, Illinois, before moving back to India. Back in India, he did several comedy shows and also played part in Bollywood movies. He really caught national attention with his role in the 2011 hit Bollywood film Delhi Belly. The actor and comedian has been on a roll since then, doing three comedy series with Netflix.
A Warner Bros Television production, Whiskey Cavalier definitely can be the big role that can further propel Das’ career in Hollywood.
(Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Vir Das plays the role of an FBI agent on the show. Das is a CIA agent on Whiskey Cavalier. )
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