Could a ‘Covert Affairs’ Reboot Be Next in the Wave of USA Network Revivals?
A surge of nostalgia is sweeping through television as several beloved USA Network series find new life on streaming platforms and broadcast television. with revivals of Monk, Psych, and Suits gaining traction, and continuations of Royal Pains and White Collar in development, fans are wondering if the spy drama Covert affairs could be next.
The recent trend of revisiting popular series has sparked renewed interest in the possibility of bringing back the Piper Perabo-led show, which ran for five seasons from 2010 to 2015 before its abrupt cancellation. Christopher Gorham’s Advocacy – Christopher Gorham, who played CIA handler Auggie Anderson, confirms he’s been actively advocating for a continuation for years. “I’ve been pushing for years to try and get something going, and there’s been no takers from the studios is my understanding. I don’t know why,” Gorham tells Soaps.com. “That would be a blast.”
Creative Team Interest – Gorham believes the original creative team, including creators Matt Corman and chris Ord, and Perabo herself, would be eager to revisit the series. Despite his enthusiasm, and having developed “just a banger of an idea for a story,” Gorham reveals that studio executives have so far been unwilling to greenlight the project.
proposed Reboot Plot – The original series concluded on several unresolved plot points,leaving fans wanting more. Gorham’s proposed reboot picks up with Annie Walker (Perabo) and Ryan McQuaid married and working together, onyl for Annie to be drawn back into the world of espionage when Auggie goes missing and a former associate, Natasha, is killed. “She has to go and work with the CIA to go and find Auggie,” Gorham explains. The storyline culminates with Annie and Auggie reuniting at the CIA, though not necessarily as a romantic couple, but as colleagues.
Annie and Auggie’s Relationship – The dynamic between Annie and Auggie has long been a point of debate among fans. While many rooted for a romantic resolution, Gorham suggests the writers intentionally left their relationship open-ended. “with good writing, the audience will follow you anywhere, because if the writing is good, and the things that their characters are doing make sense, you don’t have to end up in one place,” he says. He acknowledges the strong chemistry between perabo and Oded Fehr, whose character also had a significant connection with Annie, and notes that some fans preferred Annie’s relationship with McQuaid.
Gorham’s Diminishing Hope – Despite his efforts, Gorham admits he is “not holding out hope anymore” for a Covert Affairs revival. However, he believes the show’s spirit lives on in his current project, CBS’ Sheriff Country.
‘Sheriff Country’ as a Spiritual Successor – “One of the things that I think Sheriff Country has kind of tapped into is it’s an updated version of that USA ‘Blue Sky’ aesthetic, where it’s people that you like,” Gorham explains. He describes the show as a darker take on the USA Network formula, focusing on crime but still featuring a cast of compelling and relatable characters. “It was filled with colorful characters that that you wanted to be around.” He highlights the engaging personalities in Sheriff Country, noting that viewers are drawn to the characters and the show’s aspirational setting. The series has already been renewed for a second season, a testament to its success in capturing that same appealing atmosphere.
The Appeal of Aspirational Environments – Gorham suggests that the enduring appeal of shows like Covert Affairs and Sheriff Country lies in their ability to create a world viewers want to inhabit, filled with characters they genuinely enjoy spending time with.This “aspirational environment” is a key ingredient in the success of these types of series, and a formula that networks may continue to explore as they seek to revive beloved properties and create new hits.
