Love gets complicated for a grifter and a Fed in ABC’s ‘The Company You Keep’

BY JAY BOBBIN

It’s love at first sight for a con artist and a CIA agent – but neither knows what the other does for a living in a stylish heist thriller coming to ABC.

In “The Company You Keep,” premiering Sunday, Feb. 19, Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”) executive produces and stars as Charlie, who would just as soon exit the family business of grifting for good.

One night at a bar, he encounters Emma (Catherine Haena Kim, “FBI”) and the attraction is immediate. She’s an undercover CIA agent who happens to be in pursuit of the vengeful criminal who holds Charlie’s family debts. This puts them on a collision course and forces them to reckon with the lies they’ve told to save themselves and their families from disaster.

From showrunners Julia Cohen (“A Million Little Things”) and Phil Klemmer (“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”), “The Company You Keep” is based on the Korean series “My Fellow Citizens” and also stars William Fichtner (“Mom”), Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break”), Polly Draper (“thirtysomething”), Freda Foh Shen (“Star Trek”) and Tim Chiou (“SEAL Team”).

For Ventimiglia, “Company” comes on the heels of his six-season run as family patriarch Jack Pearson on “This Is Us,” a character completely unlike Charlie, which he found enticing.

“There was something dynamic about that; there was something to discover,” he explains. “I mean, playing Jack I discovered all I could as an actor with that character and I thought he was fully realized. With Charlie, he’s someone who kind of needs to be forgettable so that he’s not targeted by the people that he’s conning but at the same time he’s got to be so charming and persuasive and he has to reflect the people that he’s conning.

“It’s kind of the basics of a con,” he continues. “You know, if your mark, your target is sad, you’re sad; if they’re angry, you’re angry; if they’re happy, you’re happy.”

As for Kim as Emma, she inhabits a character that comes from a family of Asian American aristocrats who can’t understand their daughter’s life choices. She’s a strong woman but not without her flaws, which was a big draw for the actress.

“It’s really fun,” she says, “because she comes from this high-powered political family known as the Asian American Kennedys and she wants nothing to do with it. ... She’s the black sheep of the family and nobody knows that she’s secretly CIA.”

“She’s a real character,” Kim continues. “You know, she’s not meant to be perfect and she’s just trying to navigate love after a recent heartbreak and family and career just like we all are.”

Horoscopes Horoscopes

The luckiest signs this week:

ARIES, TAURUS AND GEMINI

ARIES

You’ll be distracted this week. You may be tired and need to rest. Your creativity will impress many after you produce a masterpiece.

TAURUS

You’ll discover a mountain of files at work that you must take care of urgently. This situation will help you become more organized and efficient, relieving stress.

GEMINI

Before undertaking a major project, take the time to relax and enjoy yourself. A promotion, for example, calls for a celebratory drink. Embrace the new challenges ahead of you.

CANCER

The idea of taking a trip or going on an adventure will stimulate you. You’ll finally find the time and means to take a well-deserved holiday and get away from it all.

LEO

An irritating situation shows up on the horizon. It would help if you made changes in your life to find happiness. Sometimes you need to shake things up.

VIRGO

You must make compromises to regain harmony at home and work. After reaching agreements with future clients or partners, new achievements are coming.

LIBRA

This week will be entirely devoted to working. If you’re looking for a job, you’ll find a demanding position that helps create better prospects for your future.

SCORPIO

If you’re no longer satisfied with your job, you’ll make some changes and find a new one that aligns with your ambitions. You could end up in the boss’s chair or start your own business.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll have to tie up lots of loose ends at home. Once everything’s resol ved, you’ll have a better relationship with your loved ones and significant other.

CAPRICORN

You’ll purchase a new gadget that may take a bit of time to learn how to use. You’ll have to make a few trips to get all the necessary answers and find complete satisfaction.

AQUARIUS

Your drive and dynamism will allow you to spoil yourself. You may earn a considerable amount of money and treat yourself to a few luxuries, including a trip or outing that impresses many.

PISCES

You need to rest before taking on a new challenge. Get out of the house to break up the daily routine. You’ll find inner peace if you express yourself openly and promptly.