Hip-hop artist and actor Shad Moss, also known as Bow Wow, will join the cast as a series regular on the CBS spinoff CSI: Cyber, the network announced Tuesday (Aug. 19).
Shad Moss will play 19-year-old hacker Brody “Baby Face” Nelson. A cyber-intrusion savant, he’s been ordered by a judge to work with Special Agent Avery Ryan (Patricia Arquette) “on loan” to assist with a cyber-case.
Growing up without any parental guidance, Nelson joined “hacktivist” groups for his extended family. His dilemma will be working for the feds while trying to keep his fingertips out of the Deep Web, where he was groomed to be one of the most prolific hackers in the world.
“Bow Wow is a gifted young actor who will have the responsibility, through his character, to set an example for young people who watch the show to ‘do what’s right’ even when you know ‘nothing but wrong,’ ” said Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise. “It will be a redemption story and a cautionary tale all wrapped into one. The role of Nelson required someone with deep acting chops and off-the-charts smarts. Shad Moss is a unique talent that possesses both.”
CSI: Cyber will be the third spin off of the original CSI series, following CSI: Miami and CSI: NY
Moss currently hosts BET’s interview talk show 106 & Park and last appeared in HBO’s Entourage for three seasons. He also had roles on “Moesha,” “Brothers Garcia,” “Smallville” and “Ugly Betty.