Christina Elmore has been cast as a lead opposite Damon Wayans Jr. in NBC’s drama pilot Puzzled, a crime series from writer Joey Falco and Universal Television based on Danielle Trussoni’s The Puzzle Master novel.
The series centers on Mike Brink (Wayans Jr.), a once-promising college athlete whose life changes after he barely escapes a tragic fire. The incident leaves him with a traumatic brain injury that results in acquired savant syndrome — a rare condition that allows him to see patterns and connections others miss. With a heightened ability to solve puzzles and complex problems, Brink begins assisting local law enforcement in cracking difficult criminal cases.
Elmore will play Angela, the head of Atlanta P.D.’s Major Crimes Section. A dedicated leader balancing the demands of her job while raising three children, Angela brings both authority and personal stakes to the investigations that increasingly rely on Brink’s unconventional mind.
Puzzled marks a notable shift for Wayans Jr., who is best known for his comedic roles in Happy Endings, New Girl, and films like Let’s Be Cops, The Other Guys, and The Harder They Fall. The NBC pilot positions him at the center of a character-driven procedural drama, blending a traditional crime-solving structure with a neurological twist.
The pilot is written and executive produced by Joey Falco (Charmed, Sleepy Hollow). Jordan Cerf of Linden Entertainment also executive produces, with Trussoni serving as a producer. Jesse Peretz is attached to direct and executive produce the pilot for Universal Television.
Elmore most recently starred in HBO Max’s 2024 series The Girls on the Bus. Her previous credits include Lena Waithe’s BET series Twenties, Issa Rae’s HBO comedy Insecure, and TNT’s drama The Last Ship.
NBC ordered the pilot earlier this year as part of an expanded development slate. If the project moves forward to series, Puzzled could add a new character-driven crime drama to the network’s lineup — anchored by a familiar face stepping into a very different kind of role.