Kevin Arkadie, a respected television writer and producer whose work helped redefine the modern TV drama, has died. He was 68. Arkadie passed away on December 17, according to his family. No cause of death has been made public.
Arkadie was a key creative force behind New York Undercover, co-creating the groundbreaking Fox drama that debuted in 1994 and marked a turning point in television history. The series became the first American police procedural to center two detectives of color, played by Malik Yoba and Michael DeLorenzo, and stood out for its unapologetic embrace of Black and Latino culture, music, and life in New York City.
Born in Washington, D.C., Arkadie later lived in Maryland before relocating to Dallas, Texas, where he attended Lake Highlands High School. He went on to study at Southern Methodist University, initially pursuing film before pivoting to theater and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting—training that would later inform his nuanced approach to character and dialogue.
He began his television career in the early 1990s, landing his first staff writing job on NBC’s I’ll Fly Away, the acclaimed drama starring Regina Taylor and Sam Waterston. Arkadie would later write for Knightwatch and Alien Nation, steadily building a résumé that led to his most defining project: co-creating New York Undercover alongside Dick Wolf.
Following the show’s success, Arkadie became a sought-after writer and producer across broadcast and cable. His credits include CBS’ Chicago Hope, ABC’s NYPD Blue, and FX’s The Shield, where he served in senior producing roles. His work on Chicago Hope and NYPD Blue earned him two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.
In the later stages of his career, Arkadie focused heavily on storytelling within Black-centered networks and platforms. He wrote the NBC miniseries The Temptations, chronicling the rise of the legendary Motown group, and held leadership roles on BET and OWN series including Sacrifice, The Quad, Ambitions, and Greenleaf. He was also the co-creator and showrunner of TV One’s Media.
Beyond television, Arkadie was an avid cyclist and photographer and often reflected honestly on the highs and challenges of his career. Despite industry setbacks, he remained proud of the body of work he left behind and the doors he helped open for more inclusive storytelling on television.
Tributes have poured in from those who worked closely with him. His manager, Stan Spry of Evoke Entertainment, described Arkadie as both a trailblazer and a deeply kind presence, noting that his impact extended far beyond the screen.
Kevin Arkadie is survived by his wife and family. A celebration of his life and career is expected to take place in spring 2026.