Season 5
This successful crime drama series of the eighties focuses on the lives of two female New York City police officers, Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey.
As a reward for solving a major case, they are promoted to detective and this is where the action lies as they go about their daily task of fighting and solving major crimes.
Although the two women are great working partners, their personal lives could’nt be more different. Christine is a single, career driven woman born into a wealthy family whereas Mary Beth is a married woman with kids living a relatively modest suburban life.
The success of Cagney and Lacey did not only lie in the crimes that were solved but more importantly on the blooming friendship between the two women as they face their own personal problems and triumphs, coping with daily life.
Loretta Swit first played the role of Cagney in the original television movie but couldn't continue in the series because of her commitment to M*A*S*H.
In the first season, Meg Foster played Cagney but was deemed to tough and aggessive by the powers that be so she was replaced by Sharon Gless.
CBS cancelled the show after the first season but due to a majore letter writing campaign, Cagney & Lacey returned and went on to earn 36 Emmy nominations and 14 wins during its run.
There have been four Cagney & Lacey TV movies made: The Return (1994), Together Again (1995), The View Through The Ceiling (1995) and True Convictions (1996).
Tyne Daly won four Emmy Awards in the Best Actress category and Sharon Gless won two.