Zendaya'sK.C. UndercoverCostars 'Always Knew' She Was 'Special': 'Destined to Do This' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Kadeem Hardison as Craig Cooper, Tammy Townsend as Kira Cooper, Zendaya as K.C. Cooper, Kamil McFadden as Ernie Cooper and Trinitee Stokes as Judy Cooper in 2014; Zendaya in January 2025.Photo:Getty

Getty

Even a decade ago,Zendaya’sK.C. Undercovercastmates had a feeling she would be a star.

ForK.C. Undercover’s 10th anniversary on Jan. 18, 2025, Townsend, 54, McFadden, 28, and Stokes, 18, looked back on their time filming the action comedy show — and they had nothing but praise for their leading lady, now 28.

Zendaya as K.C. Cooper in ‘K.C. Undercover’ in 2014.Craig Sjodin/Disney

Craig Sjodin/Disney

Stokes tells PEOPLE that the cast “always knew” stardom was on the horizon for Zendaya because of her “tenacity” and “goal-oriented nature.”

“She was always so driven, and she always had such bright ideas and such great perspective on the entertainment industry,” Stokes says. “We’re all very proud and excited to see her flourishing like she is.”

Townsend highlights Zendaya’s versatility on the show, saying, “She’s one of those people that is able to do comedy. She’s able to do drama. I think they had a couple episodes where she was dancing, and then she sings.”

(L-R) Zendaya as K.C. Cooper, Kamil McFadden as Ernie Cooper, Trinitee Stokes as Judy Cooper and Tammy Townsend as Kira Cooper in ‘K.C. Undercover’ in 2015.Disney Channel via Getty

Disney Channel via Getty

“She’s destined to do this,” McFadden says of his on-screen sister. “To see her operate in that producer role as well as being the star, I learned from her, being able to speak up and talk about things that are more nuanced than usual.”

He adds that Zendaya helped the series navigate how to portray a Black family in a comedy.

“There are certain things in a Black family that you may or may not do,” McFadden explains. “Her being able to speak up in terms of that and just optically always looking from the perspective where it’s like, ‘All right, can both sides win? We don’t want to offend one side or the other.’ … She just balanced it so well.”

(L-R) Kamil McFadden as Ernie Cooper, Zendaya as K.C. Cooper, Tammy Townsend as Kira Cooper, Kadeem Hardison as Craig Cooper and George Wallace as Poppa Earl in ‘K.C. Undercover’ in 2015.Gilles Mingasson/Disney

Gilles Mingasson/Disney

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TheK.C. Undercoverfamily’s bond extends beyond the show. Townsend and Hardison, 59, stay in touch — and have both had roles inLena Waithe’s drama seriesThe Chi. McFadden keeps up with his on-screen parents and catches up with Zendaya “when she’s not busy.”

At the Los Angeles premiere ofChallengerslast April, McFadden, Hardison and theEuphoriaactress had a mini cast reunion on the red carpet after she invited them.

“Anytime that I get a call from her or her manager, like, ‘Hey, I got this project. Come out to the premiere,’ I’m always going to show up and support because that is my sister. I love her to life,” says McFadden.

source: people.com