The web series that earned acclaim on the festival circuit follows a struggling actor who gets recruited by the CIA — now available for streaming in its entirety.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — NEW YORK, NY (August 15, 2026) — Film Underdogs Collective has revealed that its critically praised original series NOC: Non-Official Cover is now available exclusively on YouTube, making the award-winning web series accessible to a worldwide audience for the first time. This release comes after an extensive festival run that includes a Los Angeles Film Awards win for Best Web/TV Pilot, a Global Shorts Award of Excellence, and official selections at events such as the Tokyo International Short Film Festival, Manhattan Film Festival, and the Big Apple Film Festival, plus numerous others.
The series, created by Alex Swift, Ian Voglesong, and Joel Brady, centers on Richie Jones (portrayed by Brady), a Brooklyn actor who is perpetually struggling and has been a waiter for years. His constant desire to be liked has made him a trusted figure to one of the neighborhood’s major crime figures. When Richie finally gets the acting break he has always wanted, he soon discovers the opportunity is not what it appears to be. His most significant role does not happen on a screen — it takes place in the life he is now leading. The assignments the Agency gives him are far from glamorous, and the threats he faces are genuinely dangerous.
Combining comedy, drama, and espionage, NOC takes inspiration from real-world intelligence tactics and classic spy narratives while poking fun at the realities of a working actor’s life. Swift’s background in intelligence, Voglesong’s realistic direction, and Brady’s own experiences as an actor come together to form a character-focused spy comedy that explores ambition, identity, and the lengths people will go to for a chance to finally be noticed.
“NOC began with a straightforward question: what if being an unknown actor made you the perfect spy?” said creators Joel Brady and Ian Voglesong. “Drawing on Alex Swift’s intelligence background, we found the irony at the heart of Richie’s story: he’ll do anything to finally be seen, only to make a Faustian bargain with people who need him to remain invisible. After the response to the pilot on the festival circuit, we’re excited to finally share NOC with audiences on YouTube.”
Joel Brady, whose television and film credits include Boardwalk Empire, Men in Black III, and The Judge, stars as Richie Jones. Brady is also set to appear in the upcoming feature Hershey, which will be released in theaters nationwide this Thanksgiving. He is managed by Michele Peacock at Bohemia Group.
Synopsis
What price are you willing to pay to make your dreams come true? That is the dilemma confronting Richie Jones, a clumsy waiter whose goofy charm has made him a confidant of one of Brooklyn’s most prominent organized crime figures. When the CIA offers Richie a chance to turn his fortunes around — and promises him the acting career he has always wanted — he realizes that living a double life is not as straightforward as it seems, and that his aspiration to become an actor comes with a very steep cost.
Ideal for fans of Barry, Burn After Reading, and Patriot, NOC combines grounded espionage, sharp character-driven comedy, and the painfully humorous realities of pursuing an acting career.
The first three episodes of NOC are released together today, with new episodes arriving weekly through a complete six-episode season.
Episode Titles:
Episode 1 | "The Offer"
Episode 2 | "Direct Hire"
Episode 3 | "Taken"
Episode 4 | "The Recruit"
Episode 5 | "Be Someone or Do Something?"
Episode 6 | "What's a NOC?"
You can view NOC: Non-Official Cover on YouTube HERE
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NOC: Non-Official Cover
