NBC is continuing to build its upcoming slate of scripted projects with the new crime drama pilot Puzzled, starring Damon Wayans Jr. and Christina Elmore.
According to industry reports, the pilot is based on the novel The Puzzle Masters by Danielle Trussoni and will follow a former athlete whose life takes an unexpected turn after a devastating accident.
A Crime Solver With an Unusual Ability
In Puzzled, Wayans Jr. will portray Mike Brink, a once-promising college athlete whose life is forever changed after surviving a tragic fire that leaves him with a traumatic brain injury. While the injury alters his life dramatically, it also gives him a rare ability to perceive the world in a different way.
Using his heightened pattern-recognition skills and unique perspective, Brink begins assisting local police with solving complex crimes.
The character ultimately forms an unlikely partnership with law enforcement as his abilities prove invaluable in cracking difficult cases.
Christina Elmore Joins as Atlanta Police Leader
Elmore will star as Angela, the head of the Major Crimes Section of the Atlanta Police Department. The character is also a mother of three, balancing the high-pressure demands of law enforcement with raising her family.
Elmore previously gained wide recognition for playing Condola Hayes on the HBO comedy series Insecure, created by Issa Rae. Her television résumé also includes roles in Twenties from Lena Waithe, The Last Ship, and the HBO Max political drama The Girls On The Bus.
Damon Wayans Jr.’s Expanding Television Portfolio
Wayans Jr., a member of the legendary Wayans family, continues to expand his television footprint. He is currently under a first-look deal with CBS Studios through his Two Shakes Entertainment banner.
Under that agreement, he starred in and executive produced the sitcom Poppa’s House and serves as host and executive producer of the CBS game show Raid the Cage.
He is also widely recognized for his comedic roles as Brad Williams on the ABC comedy Happy Endings and Coach on Fox’s New Girl. On the big screen, Wayans Jr. has appeared in films such as Let’s Be Cops, The Other Guys, and Dance Flick.
Pilot Status
Puzzled is currently in the pilot stage at NBC and is being produced by Universal Television. If the project receives a full series order, it would join NBC’s lineup of procedural dramas centered on unique crime-solving partnerships.
As of March 2026, NBC has not announced a premiere date or scheduling plans for the pilot.
