Detroit 1-8-7 is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Jason Richman in which fictional documentarians follow Detroit's leading homicide unit to get an in-depth look at the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism of the cops assigned to an inner city homicide unit.
The 1-8-7 of the title is a specific reference to the California Penal Code designation for homicide, which has become a slang term for murder.
The series aired in the USA on ABC from 21 September, 2010 to 20 March, 2011. There are 18 hour-long episodes in one season.
Detroit 1-8-7 premiered in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Series channel on Wednesday 6 July 2011, at 20h30. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Repeats
Thursdays: 02h30, 08h30, 14h30
Synopsis
What does it take to be a detective on America's streets? Get an in-depth look at some of Detroit's finest and watch the crisis and revelation, heartbreak and heroism of the cops assigned to an inner city homicide unit.
There's the damaged but driven Detective Louis Fitch, a wily homicide vet who is the most respected—and most misunderstood—man in the division; Detective Damon Washington, Fitch's new partner, who finds the first day on the job is a trial by fire, complicated by the imminent birth of his first child; and Detective Ariana Sanchez, sexy, edgy and beautiful, who has emerged from a rough background to become a rising star in the department.
There's also narcotics undercover cop John Stone, a streetwise smooth talker, clever and quick with a smile made for the movies, who is teamed with Sanchez — a combustible pairing rife with conflict and sexual tension.
Sergeant Jesse Longford is a 30-year veteran struggling with his impending retirement from the force and the city he loves, who, together with his partner, Detective Vikram Mahajan — a fully Americanized son of Indian immigrants — form an amusing mismatch of experience and enthusiasm, intellect and instinct, old school and new world, but whose combined skills have never encountered a case that couldn't be cleared.
All are headed by Lieutenant Maureen Mason, a strong-willed single mom struggling to balance home and work.
Detroit 1-8-7 stars Michael Imperioli as Detective Louis Fitch, Jon Michael Hill as Detective Damon Washington, James McDaniel as Sergeant Jesse Longford, Aisha Hinds as Lieutenant Maureen Mason, Natalie Martinez as Detective Ariana Sanchez, D.J. Cotrona as Detective John Stone and Shaun Majumder as Detective Vikram Mahajan.
The series is produced by ABC Studios. The pilot was written by Jason Richman. Executive producers are Richman, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and David Zabel. Jeff Nachmanoff directed the pilot.