Pseudo Detroiter Gabrielle Union stars in sci-fi gig

Mekeisha Madden Toby / Detroit News Television Writer

Actress Gabrielle Union is not a native Detroiter but that hasn't stopped us from claiming her.

And that's cool, says Union, who was born and raised in Omaha, Neb.

"My ex-husband lives in Ann Arbor," says Union, 36, who used to be married to former NFL running back and University of Michigan player Chris Howard. The two divorced in 2006. "We're still best friends but when we were together, he went back to school in Ann Arbor when he retired and I spent a lot of time in Detroit and Ann Arbor so I can see that. I'm from the Midwest, so it's all in the family."

Metro Detroiters and fans all over the country can catch Union in ABC's new sci-fi offering "FlashForward," which airs Thursday nights. On it, Union plays Zoey, a criminal defense attorney who is engaged to FBI Agent Demetri Noh (played by John Cho of "Harold and Kumar" fame), the show's dead man walking.

Union, who has starred in such films as "Cadillac Records" and "Daddy's Little Girls," has gotten a fair number of gigs with the Alphabet network. In addition to a recurring role on season two of "Ugly Betty," Union co-starred in the short-lived 2005 drama "Night Stalker."

"A lot of people pay a lot of lip service about diversity and nurturing talent of color," says Union, who recently promoted "FlashForward" at a network party in Pasadena, Calif. "But ABC actually has done those things and more. I've never been in a situation where I've felt more supported and encouraged."

Now Union is spreading the love. A few months ago, she and Tracey Edmonds signed a deal with Lifetime to executive produce the made-for-TV movie "The Vow." Union will also star. Nzingha Stewart ("The Marriage Counselor") will pen the script, which is based on a 2005 book of the same name.

"I know so many underemployed women of color," she says. "I'm just trying to do my best to create as many opportunities as I can."

mmadden@detnews.com (313) 222-2501