"The Closer" (2005) TV series 2005-????

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Creator:

James Duff
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

13 June 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

They'll bring you in. She'll make you talk.

Plot:

Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson (Sedgwick) runs the Priority Homicide Division of the LAPD with an unorthodox style. Her innate ability to read people and obtain confessions helps her and her team solve the city's toughest, most sensitive cases.

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 34 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9	9:00 PM	TNT	Maternal Instincts	#5.11
Mon. Nov. 9	10:00 PM	TNT	Power of Attorney	#4.13

Cast

Kyra Sedgwick	...	Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
J.K. Simmons	...	Assistant Chief Will Pope (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Corey Reynolds	...	Sgt. David Gabriel (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Robert Gossett	...	Commander Taylor (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
G.W. Bailey	...	Detective Lt. Provenza (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Jon Tenney	...	Agent Fritz Howard / ... (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Anthony John Denison	...	Lieutenant Andy Flynn / ... (69 episodes, 2005-2009)
Phillip P. Keene	...	Buzz Watson / ... (69 episodes, 2005-2009)
Michael Paul Chan	...	Lieutenant Mike Tao / ... (67 episodes, 2005-2009)
Raymond Cruz	...	Detective Julio Sanchez / ... (66 episodes, 2005-2009)
Gina Ravera	...	Detective Irene Daniels (46 episodes, 2005-2009)

(more)

Series Directed by
Michael M. Robin		(15 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rick Wallace		(9 episodes, 2005-2009)
Elodie Keene		(7 episodes, 2005-2009)
Arvin Brown		(7 episodes, 2005-2008)
Kevin Bacon		(4 episodes, 2006-2009)
Gloria Muzio		(3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Scott Ellis		(3 episodes, 2007-2009)
Nelson McCormick		(2 episodes, 2006-2009)
James Duff		(2 episodes, 2007-2009)
Roxann Dawson		(2 episodes, 2009)
Steve Robin		(2 episodes, 2009)

Series Writing credits
James Duff		(70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Mike Berchem		(12 episodes, 2006-2009)
Hunt Baldwin		(11 episodes, 2005-2008)
John Coveny		(11 episodes, 2005-2008)
Adam Belanoff		(10 episodes, 2006-2009)
Steven Kane		(10 episodes, 2006-2009)
Wendy West		(6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Michael Alaimo		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Duppy Demetrius		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Ken Martin		(5 episodes, 2007-2009)
Leo Geter		(4 episodes, 2009)
Rick Kellard		(2 episodes, 2005)
Roger Wolfson		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Produced by
James Duff	....	executive producer (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Gil Garcetti	....	consulting producer (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Michael M. Robin	....	executive producer (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Andrew J. Sacks	....	producer / line producer (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Greer Shephard	....	executive producer (70 episodes, 2005-2009)
Adam Belanoff	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (57 episodes, 2006-2009)
Sheelin Choksey	....	co-producer / associate producer / ... (57 episodes, 2006-2009)
Ronald Chong	....	producer / coordinating producer (57 episodes, 2006-2009)
Michael Weiss	....	producer / co-producer (50 episodes, 2005-2009)
Mike Berchem	....	producer / co-producer (42 episodes, 2007-2009)
Giampaolo Debole	....	associate producer / co-producer (42 episodes, 2007-2009)
Paul Orehovec	....	associate producer / co-producer (42 episodes, 2007-2009)
Kyra Sedgwick	....	co-executive producer / producer / ... (42 episodes, 2007-2009)
Hunt Baldwin	....	co-executive producer / co-producer / ... (41 episodes, 2006-2009)
John Coveny	....	co-executive producer / co-producer / ... (41 episodes, 2006-2009)
Michael Alaimo	....	co-producer (27 episodes, 2008-2009)
Duppy Demetrius	....	co-producer (27 episodes, 2008-2009)
Steven Kane	....	co-producer / co-executive producer (27 episodes, 2008-2009)
Wendy West	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (26 episodes, 2005-2006)
Rick Wallace	....	executive producer (17 episodes, 2009)
Rick Kellard	....	consulting producer (12 episodes, 2005)
Nancy Miller	....	co-executive producer (6 episodes, 2005)

Series Original Music by
James S. Levine		(70 episodes, 2005-2009)

Series Cinematography by
Brian J. Reynolds		(48 episodes, 2005-2008)
David A. Harp		(21 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Film Editing by
Eli Nilsen		(22 episodes, 2005-2009)
Michael P. Smith		(16 episodes, 2005-2009)
Butch Wertman		(15 episodes, 2006-2009)
Robert C. Wertman		(5 episodes, 2005-2007)
David Rosenberg		(5 episodes, 2006-2007)
Craig Bench		(4 episodes, 2009)
Steven Lang		(3 episodes, 2005)
Lance Luckey		(2 episodes, 2005)

Series Casting by
Bruce H. Newberg		(70 episodes, 2005-2009)

Series Production Design by
Michael Paul Clausen		(42 episodes, 2007-2009)
Lauren Crasco		(28 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Art Direction by
Brian Harms		(15 episodes, 2006)
Ron Mason		(9 episodes, 2005)
Robert W. Joseph		(8 episodes, 2007)

Series Set Decoration by
Kristin Peterson		(33 episodes, 2007-2009)
Stephanie Ziemer		(27 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Costume Design by
Greg LaVoi		(70 episodes, 2005-2009)

Series Makeup Department
Michele Tyminski	....	key makeup artist / makeup artist / ... (52 episodes, 2005-2009)
Stacey K. Black	....	hair stylist / key hair stylist (49 episodes, 2005-2009)
Stephanie A. Fowler	....	makeup department head / makeup artist (28 episodes, 2005-2006)
Robin Siegel	....	makeup artist (23 episodes, 2008-2009)
Kristina Vogel	....	makeup artist (10 episodes, 2007-2008)
Nanci Cascio	....	key hair stylist (9 episodes, 2005)
Jean Webber	....	hair stylist (8 episodes, 2005)
Mark Sanchez	....	makeup artist (8 episodes, 2008-2009)
Cynthia Hernandez	....	special makeup effects artist (6 episodes, 2008)
Tracey Henton	....	makeup artist (6 episodes, 2009)
Kim Collea	....	makeup artist (3 episodes, 2007)
Lawrence Davis	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 2007)
Turner Walker	....	special makeup effects lab technician: W.M. Creations Inc. (2 episodes, 2007)
Elizabeth Hoel	....	assistant makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Ronald Chong	....	unit production manager (69 episodes, 2005-2009)
Chris Patridge	....	post-production supervisor (3 episodes, 2009)
Sheelin Choksey	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 2005)
Jessica Badenoch	....	post-production supervisor (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David McWhirter	....	first assistant director (26 episodes, 2005-2009)
Anna Notarides	....	second assistant director (24 episodes, 2008-2009)
Chad Silver	....	additional second assistant director / dga trainee (21 episodes, 2008-2009)
Roger Udwin	....	second second assistant director / additional second assistant director (18 episodes, 2007-2009)
Charles Simmers	....	second assistant director (15 episodes, 2006-2007)
Stacy Schrader	....	second second assistant director (11 episodes, 2009)
Joan Cunningham	....	first assistant director (9 episodes, 2007-2009)
Jennie O'Keefe	....	second assistant director (8 episodes, 2005)
Lindsay Moorhead	....	dga trainee (8 episodes, 2007)
Mark Lyon	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 2005)
Carla McCloskey	....	first assistant director (7 episodes, 2006-2009)
Kristen Heiden	....	dga trainee (7 episodes, 2006)
Ross Novie	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 2006)
Pamela Monroe	....	second second assistant director (3 episodes, 2005)
Vernon Davidson	....	second second assistant director (2 episodes, 2005)
Susan J. Hellmann	....	first assistant director / second assistant director (2 episodes, 2005)
Mindee Clem	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Yor-El Francis	....	trainee assistant director (unknown episodes)
JoAnne Lowrie	....	trainee assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Jeanne Bueche	....	assistant property master (30 episodes, 2006-2007)
Mara A. Spear	....	set buyer (24 episodes, 2006-2007)
Frank Escobedo	....	property master (19 episodes, 2008-2009)
Graham Robertson	....	set dresser (19 episodes, 2008-2009)
Brad Elliott	....	property master (16 episodes, 2006-2008)
Bryan Hill	....	leadman (14 episodes, 2006-2009)
Mamie Young	....	art department coordinator (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
Manuel Baca	....	property assistant (14 episodes, 2009)
James LaBarge	....	lead man (13 episodes, 2005)
Gene Bishop	....	set dresser (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Michael Leonard	....	set dresser (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jeff Tirado	....	set dresser (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jared Fleury	....	property master (9 episodes, 2005)
Chris Call	....	property master (9 episodes, 2006)
Mindy R. Toback	....	set designer (6 episodes, 2008-2009)
Anthony Bro	....	set designer (5 episodes, 2005-2007)
Randy Molique	....	set dresser (5 episodes, 2006)
Sarah Palmrose	....	assistant art director (4 episodes, 2008-2009)
Nicole Cramer	....	buyer (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Fleury	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
Trevor Larkin	....	on-set dresser (unknown episodes)
Christopher Schultz	....	on-set dresser (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Bob Lacivita	....	sound re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor / ... (52 episodes, 2006-2009)
Susan Moore-Chong	....	sound mixer (27 episodes, 2005-2006)
Walt Martin	....	sound mixer (24 episodes, 2006-2009)
Mark Cookson	....	sound effects editor (22 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jeremy Balko	....	adr mixer (19 episodes, 2009)
Gail Carroll-Coe	....	boom operator (16 episodes, 2007-2009)
Flash Deros	....	boom operator (15 episodes, 2007)
Tim Chilton	....	foley artist (12 episodes, 2005)
Walter Anderson	....	sound mixer (12 episodes, 2009)
Todd Murakami	....	sound effects editor (11 episodes, 2006-2009)
Michael Sana	....	assistant sound editor (11 episodes, 2009)
Ken Beauchene	....	utility sound (10 episodes, 2006)
Nicholas Couscouris	....	sound re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor (8 episodes, 2005)
Judah Getz	....	adr mixer (7 episodes, 2009)
Jordan Wilby	....	sound effects editor (6 episodes, 2005-2009)
Jason Krane	....	dialogue editor (6 episodes, 2006-2007)
Andrew Adams	....	boom operator (5 episodes, 2009)
Charlie Essers	....	sound re-recording mixer / supervising sound editor (4 episodes, 2005-2006)
Steve Nelson	....	sound mixer (3 episodes, 2008-2009)
Eric Maxwell	....	foley editor / sound editor (3 episodes, 2009)
Lisa Pinero	....	sound mixer: second unit / sound mixer (3 episodes, 2009)
Rob Cunningham	....	boom operator: second unit (2 episodes, 2009)
David Beadle	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Tommy Goodwin	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Patrick Hogan	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
Kevin Maloney	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Dan Whiting	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
John P. Cazin	....	special effects coordinator (30 episodes, 2006-2007)
Sam Dean	....	special effects (2 episodes, 2008)
Chris Bailey	....	special effects foreman (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Tim Jacobsen	....	visual effects producer (28 episodes, 2006-2007)
Bob Minshall	....	visual effects (8 episodes, 2007-2008)
Doug Spilatro	....	visual effects / visual effects artist (7 episodes, 2005-2008)
Brian McIntyre	....	digital compositor (4 episodes, 2008-2009)
Sabrina Arnold	....	visual effects producer (4 episodes, 2009)
Carolyn Martin	....	visual effects coordinator (2 episodes, 2009)
Nick Damico	....	visual effects (unknown episodes)
Changsoo Eun	....	visual effects artist (unknown episodes)
Sid Jayakar	....	digital compositor (unknown episodes)
Matt von Brock	....	visual effects supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Spike Silver	....	stunt coordinator (27 episodes, 2005-2009)
Noon Orsatti	....	stunt coordinator (6 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicole Surels	....	stunt double / stunts (2 episodes, 2005)
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunt performer / stunts (2 episodes, 2007)
Antal Kalik	....	stunt double (2 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Greg McCurley	....	lighting technician (72 episodes, 2005-2009)
Christopher Tufty	....	camera operator / director of photography: second unit (61 episodes, 2005-2009)
Alan Koplin	....	first assistant camera: film / camera operator / ... (45 episodes, 2005-2009)
Thomas Enright	....	best boy electric alternate / lighting technician (42 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michelle Crenshaw	....	first assistant camera (27 episodes, 2005-2006)
Peter Stone	....	still photographer (23 episodes, 2005-2006)
Joe Pacella	....	film loader (19 episodes, 2005-2006)
Bennett Cerf	....	second assistant camera (19 episodes, 2006-2007)
Alexis van Kersen Li	....	second assistant camera (18 episodes, 2005-2006)
Roy Heath	....	key grip (16 episodes, 2006-2009)
Jesse White	....	grip (15 episodes, 2007)
Donald Francis	....	electrician (15 episodes, 2008-2009)
Frank Klepadlo	....	rigging grip (13 episodes, 2005-2006)
Rico Priem	....	best boy grip (9 episodes, 2007)
Chris Hood	....	camera operator (9 episodes, 2009)
Pat McGinnis Jr.	....	grip (6 episodes, 2007)
Craig Price	....	grip (6 episodes, 2007)
David Chameides	....	steadicam operator / camera operator (5 episodes, 2008-2009)
Matthew J. Hall	....	film loader (5 episodes, 2008)
Peter Weiland	....	lighting technician (4 episodes, 2005)
Michael Yarish	....	still photographer (4 episodes, 2007-2008)
Brooks Tomb	....	chief lighting technician / gaffer (3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kevin Edwards	....	grip (3 episodes, 2007)
Scott Young	....	chief lighting technician (3 episodes, 2009)
David Brown	....	key grip (2 episodes, 2005)
Matt Mefford	....	camera operator: studio segments (2 episodes, 2007)
Karen Neal	....	still photographer (2 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tom Morash	....	lighting technician (2 episodes, 2008)
Jon Epstein	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Justin M. Lubin	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Giovanna Costa	....	casting assistant (40 episodes, 2007-2009)
Ani Avetyan	....	casting associate / casting assistant (31 episodes, 2007-2009)
Kathi Castoro	....	casting assistant (19 episodes, 2005-2006)
Beth Lipari	....	casting associate (15 episodes, 2006)
Candace Miller	....	extras casting (14 episodes, 2009)
Brad Gilmore	....	casting associate (13 episodes, 2005)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eric Van Wagoner	....	costume supervisor (56 episodes, 2006-2009)
Meredith J. Murray	....	costumer (16 episodes, 2005-2006)
Amy Glenn	....	costume shopper (15 episodes, 2007)
Tracey White	....	wardrobe shopper (15 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tammy Hynes	....	costume supervisor (13 episodes, 2005)
Laurel Frushour	....	set costumer (10 episodes, 2009)
Melissa Kidd	....	additional costumer (4 episodes, 2008-2009)

Series Editorial Department
Paul Orehovec	....	post-production coordinator / post-production assistant (21 episodes, 2005-2006)
Lizzy Calhoun	....	assistant editor (12 episodes, 2006-2007)
David Rosenberg	....	assistant editor (10 episodes, 2005-2009)
Susan Demskey	....	assistant editor (8 episodes, 2005-2009)
Leah Breuer	....	assistant editor (7 episodes, 2008-2009)
Michael P. Smith	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 2005)
Sang Han	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Charles Ryan	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Zamp Nicall	....	music editor (38 episodes, 2006-2009)
Josh Klein	....	assistant to composer (26 episodes, 2005-2007)
Jason Eldredge	....	music supervisor (6 episodes, 2006)
Aaron Kaplan	....	composer: additional music (2 episodes, 2005)

Series Transportation Department
Jeff Bova	....	transportation captain (50 episodes, 2005-2009)
J. Armin Garza II	....	driver: camera car (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Bruce Comtois	....	transportation (4 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gina August	....	driver (3 episodes, 2007)
Richard Belyeu	....	transportation coordinator (unknown episodes)
Bart Johnson	....	driver (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Jennifer Haire	....	production coordinator / assistant production office coordinator (58 episodes, 2005-2009)
Pete Diamond	....	assistant to producer / production assistant / ... (53 episodes, 2006-2009)
Ken Martin	....	show staff writer / story editor / ... (41 episodes, 2007-2009)
Rob Hoffman	....	key set production assistant (30 episodes, 2007-2009)
Daly Parker	....	production secretary / assistant production coordinator / ... (30 episodes, 2007-2009)
Haley McLane	....	script supervisor (27 episodes, 2007-2009)
Matt Donnelly	....	production assistant (22 episodes, 2005-2006)
Steven Kane	....	story editor / executive story editor (22 episodes, 2006-2007)
Tracy Zigler	....	script supervisor (20 episodes, 2006-2007)
Giampaolo Debole	....	production coordinator (15 episodes, 2006)
Kellen McDowell	....	production secretary (15 episodes, 2007)
Todd Leykamp	....	production assistant (15 episodes, 2008-2009)
Duppy Demetrius	....	executive story editor (14 episodes, 2007)
Leo Geter	....	executive story editor (14 episodes, 2009)
Yuell Newsome	....	stock librarian (13 episodes, 2005)
Thu Pham	....	assistant production coordinator (13 episodes, 2005)
Michael Alaimo	....	executive story editor (13 episodes, 2007)
Mike Berchem	....	technical advisor (12 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jennifer S. Jackson	....	script supervisor (12 episodes, 2005)
Elizabeth Ludwick-Bax	....	script supervisor (10 episodes, 2008-2009)
Hunt Baldwin	....	story editor (8 episodes, 2005)
John Coveny	....	story editor (8 episodes, 2005)
Roger Wolfson	....	story editor (8 episodes, 2005)
Josh Novak	....	production assistant (8 episodes, 2006-2007)
Ed Lippman	....	location manager (8 episodes, 2007)
Samantha Hollingsworth	....	key set production assistant (8 episodes, 2009)
Michael H. Miller	....	production coordinator (7 episodes, 2005)
Jordan Melograna	....	production staff (6 episodes, 2009)
Andrew R. Gardiner	....	key assistant location manager/scout (4 episodes, 2005)
Dan Eason	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 2008-2009)
Charles A. Tamburro	....	aerial coordinator / helicopter pilot (4 episodes, 2009)
Karl Sonnenberg	....	bomb squad technical advisor / dog wrangler / ... (3 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gina Fricchione	....	photo double: Kyra Sedgwick / stand-in: Kyra Sedgwick (3 episodes, 2009)
Chris Gutierrez	....	key assistant location manager (2 episodes, 2007)
Rosie Dean	....	production coordinator (1 episode, 2005)
Dan Addelson	....	set production assistant (unknown episodes)
Keith Bohanan	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Frank Euyoque	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Wade Hagen	....	key accountant (unknown episodes)
Blake Harjes	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Jean Hodges	....	food stylist (unknown episodes)
Lindsay Hudson	....	medic (unknown episodes)
Carlos G. Lopez	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Marguerite Martins	....	assistant: Ms. Shephard (unknown episodes)
Keith Mooney	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Hugo Orellana	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Sandra Saldana	....	senior estimator: wrap (unknown episodes)
Darius Shahmir	....	executive assistant: James Duff and Michael Robin (unknown episodes)
Ellen Shapiro	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Stephen V. Weissberger	....	assistant location manager (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Shephard/Robin Company, The
• Warner Bros. Television

Distributors

• Turner Network Television (TNT) (2005-) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Channel 4 Television Corporation (2005-) (UK) (TV)
• More4 (2006-) (UK) (TV)
• Nine Network Australia (2005-) (Australia) (TV)
• Cuatro (2006) (Spain) (TV)
• LaLa TV (2007) (Japan) (TV)
• Net5 (2008-) (Netherlands) (TV)
• RTL Klub Televízió (2006-) (Hungary) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (2007-) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2007-) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)
• Warner Home Video (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 3)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD) (season 2)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD) (season 3)
• Warner Home Video (2009) (USA) (DVD) (season 4)

Other Companies

• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes, dollies and remote camera systems
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  hydrascope telescoping crane arm
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  stabilized remote camera systems
• Executive Assurance  security
• Executive Assurance  security (season 7)
• Filmtools  expendables
• Hollywood Caterers  catering
• Inter Video  computer and video playback
• Klass Entertainment  product placement
• LCW Props  set equipment
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• Raleigh Studios  taped at
• Star Waggons  cast trailers
• Star Waggons  hair and make-up trailers
• The Big Parade  music editing

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Hungary:16 | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company:

Shephard/Robin Company, The

Trivia:

Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti is a Consulting Producer on The Closer, and Los Angeles Police Department detective Mike Berchem is the show's Technical Advisor.

Quotes:

Hairdresser: Shouldn't I have a lawyer?
Brenda Leigh Johnson: You could call a lawyer... but if you do I'll tear this custody agreement into little pieces and Dean will walk away with your baby the minute it's born.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2007) (TV)

Wonderfully character driven laughs and drama

An outstanding drama that dances on the edge of being a formula cop show and a soap opera. Brenda Lee Johnson is an outstanding interrogator with a background of being difficult to work with but achieving great results. However, her personal life is a mess. She is hired from Atlanta to head LAPD's Priority Crimes Unit for those high profile crimes that need a resolution and need it quickly. Tensions arise immediately. Her brusque style makes her own people want to transfer away, her boss is a former lover who dumped her and she manages to make many more enemies than friends. The crimes are formula enough that you can probably figure out whodunit before you get to the climax but it's the characters and relationships that sell the show and make it worth watching. Not only is Kyra Sedgwick giving the performance of her life in this series but she has a terrific supporting cast that gives the series heart. The ability of the writers to also give us some great comic lines keeps the show teetering at times from comedy to drama. The first season is already out on DVD. Watch it from the first episode to the last, in order, and you can see why this show has become the most watched show in basic cable history.