New Amsterdam is an American television drama series created by Allan Loeb and Christian Taylor which centres on John Amsterdam, a brilliant New York homicide detective who is immortal.
The series originally aired in the USA on FOX from 4 March to 14 April, 2008. There are eight hour-long episodes in the series, which was officially cancelled by FOX on 11 May, 2008.
The series originally aired in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Action channel from 24 June to 12 August, 2008, on Tuesdays at 20h00.
New Amsterdam premiered on M-Net on Sunday 14 December 2008, at 16h00.
Synopsis
New Amsterdam centres on a brilliant and enigmatic New York homicide detective unlike any other. And he has a profound secret - he is immortal.
In 1642, John Amsterdam, then a Dutch soldier in the colony of New Amsterdam – later to become New York City - stepped in front of a sword to save the life of a Native American girl during a massacre of her indigenous tribe.
The girl in turn rescued Amsterdam, weaving an ancient spell that conferred immortality upon him. Amsterdam will not age, she told him, until he finds his one true love. Only then will he become whole and ready for mortality.
Amsterdam has found this to be a mixed blessing. Over the course of three centuries, he's experienced endless adventure and honed his many talents.
But everyone Amsterdam meets must leave him in time; friends, lovers and children grow old and eventually die, while he remains young. The exhilaration of eternal life has given way to emotional isolation and loneliness; the blessing has become a curse.
His sole confidante and current lifelong friend is the sage jazz club owner Omar, the keeper of Amsterdam's secret, as well as a few of his own.
Having witnessed its entire history from colonial outpost to mega-metropolis, John Amsterdam is the living embodiment of New York City. He and the island of Manhattan are joined - part and parcel.
Bringing to bear the unorthodox techniques and unique knowledge gained from his vast life experience, Amsterdam today is one of the NYPD's best homicide detectives, sparring with his vibrant, strong-willed partner Eva Marquez as they solve difficult murder cases.
But when Amsterdam suffers and then recovers what appears to be a massive heart attack while chasing a suspect, and Dr. Sara Dillane pronounces him dead in the ER, he realizes that the prophesy may have come true - he felt the pain in his heart foretold so long ago. His soul mate must have been nearby.
As he works to bring closure to the lives of others, Amsterdam also seeks closure of his own.