NYPD on TV

The New York City Police Department
has always been a popular basis
for a television show.

Here are some of the more popular,
and some of the lesser known shows,
that have aired through the years.


DECOY


1957-58
Beverly Garland as an
undercover policewoman.
Notable in that it was one
of the first NYPD shows and the
main character was a female.
Filmed in New York City.


NAKED CITY

1958-59 1960-63
James Franciscus (1958-59), Paul Burke,
Horace McMahon and Harry Belaver as detectives of the 65th Squad in Manhattan. The emphasis was more on drama than on policework. An excellent show with many appearances by actors who later became big stars.
Filmed in New York City.



BRENNER

1959-60
Edward Binns and James Broderick as father and son detectives whose assignments often cross. A good show but unfortunately short lived.
Filmed in New York City.


87th PRECINCT

1961-62
Robert Lansing, Norman Fell, Ron Harper and Gregory Walcott as the detectives from Ed McBain's series of novels.
A good show but it could have been a great show if they finally admitted that it was supposed to be New York and actually filmed it in New York.



CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?

1961-63
Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne
A service comedy about a radio car
team in the 53rd Precinct in the Bronx.
This was, and still is, a great, funny show.
Filmed in - THE BRONX!



HAWK

1966-67
Burt Reynolds as a detective assigned
to the Manhattan D.A.'s squad.
More emphasis on Burt and action
(he was a stunt man before an actor) than on police work. Look for Pontiacs
as radio cars again (as in Naked City).
Filmed in New York City.



NYPD

1967-69
Jack Warden, Robert Hooks and Frank Converse as the 27th detective squad in Manhattan. A good solid show that should have lasted longer.
Filmed in New York City.


I AM THE LAW

1952-53
George Raft as a detective Lieutenant in the New York City Police Department. Probably the first program based on the NYPD.
THE D.A.'s MAN

1959-59
John Compton as an
undercover detective working
with the D.A.'s office.

McCLOUD

1970-77
Dennis Weaver as Taos, New Mexico Marshal Sam Cloud "on temporary assignment with the New York Police Department." -"There yuh go."-
Some scenes filmed in NYC.
MADIGAN

1972-73
Ridard Widmark attempted to reprise the movie role of Detective Dan Madigan for the small screen
but it did not last. Too bad.

KOJAK

1973-78
Telly Savalas as Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak. Not what a real squad CO does but Savalas made it work. "Crocker! Stavaros! Get in here!"
Some scenes filmed in NYC.
BARNEY MILLER

1975-82
Hal Linden as detective squad commander Barney Miller.
Comedy played straight. Good show.


FOSTER AND LAURIE

1975
Dorian Harewood and Perry King in the story of Police Officers Gregory Foster and Rocco Laurie who were wantonly murdered in cold blood while walking a foot patrol in the 9th Precinct
on Jan 27, 1972.
LAW AND ORDER

1976
Darren McGavin as a patriarch cop
in a made for TV movie based
on the novel by retired
policewoman Dorothy Uhnak.


SERPICO

1976-77
David Birney as Frank Serpico
in this short lived series.

CONTRACT ON CHERRY STREET

1977
Frank Sinatra as a detective avenging the murder of his partner in a made for TV movie filmed in New York City.
EISCHIED

1979-80
Joe Don Baker in a failed series based on the 1978 TV movie "To Kill a Cop" and NYPD Chief of Detectives Albert Seedman- a tough act to follow.
CAGNEY & LACEY

1982-88
Sharon Gless and Tyne Daley
as a pair of NYPD detectives.


NIGHT HEAT

1985-89
Scott Hylands and Jeff Wincott as a detective team. Filmed in Toronto, they never said it was NYC but they used NYPD style uniforms and cars.
A good show but they should have called it as the NYPD, filmed it here
and made it a great show.
TRUE BLUE

1989-90
Failed series based on the ESU (Emergency Service Unit) of the NYPD. Another show that should have made it but for some reason did not.



LAW AND ORDER

1990-current
NYPD detective fare.
Current series.
NYPD BLUE

1993-current
NYPD detective fare.
Current series.
BROOKLYN SOUTH

1997-98
Failed series based on the patrol officers in a Brooklyn precinct
(the 74th) of the NYPD.
Another show that should have
made it but for some reason did not.
THIRD WATCH

1999-2005
The uniformed members of the NYPD finally get a viewing audience after
TRUE BLUE and BROOKLYN SOUTH.


MR. INSIDE, MR. OUTSIDE
a/k/a HOT ICE

1974
Hal Linden and Tony LoBianco as anti/crime officers involved in an
international conspiracy case. Made for TV movie filmed in
New York City. The opening scene is compelling.
It was based on a real life incident, the murder of
PO Phillip Cardillo of the 28th Precinct in April of 1972.


 
POLICE N.Y.
        Home Page     Site Map     What's New Page
 
Continue tour of POLICE N.Y.