Piper Perabo performs 'Covert' ops for USA

Piper Perabo

Credit: Peter Kramer/AP

USA has set Piper Perabo for the lead in USA's spy thriller "Covert Affairs."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, USA hasn't actually formally ordered a pilot, but casting has been underway for a month.

Perabo would play the show's lead, a CIA trainee whose ex-boyfriend just happens to be a person-of-interest for her future colleagues. The trade paper says that the character speaks six languages and excels at whatever professional endeavors she attempts. Personally, though, it sounds like she has some issues.

The show's other lead role is described as blind tech expert, who assists Perabo's character. 

The "Covert Affairs" pilot was written by Matt Corman and Chris Ord and will be executive produced by Dave Bartis and Doug Liman of Dutch Oven.

Government agents are rapidly becoming USA's stock-in-trade. "Burn Notice," about a former spook, is one of the network's biggest hits, while "In Plain Sight," about the Witness Protection Program, has also been strong. The upcoming drama "White Collar" has an FBI angle to it as well.

You may just have seen Perabo at the Tony Awards presenting a scene from her Broadway run in "Reasons to Be Pretty." The "Coyote Ugly" star's TV credits include an episode of "House," the pilot "The Prince of Motor City" and a recent episode of USA's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."