Season 3
The detectives in the Los Angeles Police Department's Major Crimes division are still reeling from the departure of Brenda Leigh Johnson and the realization that Captain Raydor is now in charge.
Unlike their previous chief, Raydor is determined to lead the department with a more team-oriented approach, sharing the credit with the people with whom she works.
Raydor's hardest job, however, will be gaining the full trust and confidence of her detectives, who aren't quick to forget her long history of internal investigations targeting them and their previous boss.
Especially troublesome is Provenza, who has a difficult time taking orders from someone he doesn't think knows as much as he does.
Mary McDonnell stars in the series, continuing her Emmy-nominated role from The Closer. Joining her are fellow Closer veterans G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz and Phillip P. Keene.
In addition, Robert Gossett, Jon Tenney and Jonathan Del Arco guest-star in several episodes, with Del Arco being promoted to series regular in Season 2.
The series also stars Graham Patrick Martin as Rusty, a homeless juvenile whose character was introduced in the final episode of The Closer, and Kearran Giovanni as Detective Amy Sykes, an ambitious undercover police detective and military veteran who served in Afghanistan. Nadine Velazquez joined the ensemble as Deputy District Attorney Emma Rios in Season 2.
Major Crimes is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company, in association with Warner Bros. Television. The Closer's James Duff, Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin, and Rick Wallace serve as executive producers on the series.
Major Characters
Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell)
Now in charge of Major Crimes, Capt. Sharon Raydor is determined to lead the department with a rule-based, team-oriented approach, sharing the credit with the people with whom she works. But her transition into the job is not readily accepted by all.
Lt. Provenza (G.W. Bailey)
The squad's resident old-timer, Lt. Provenza still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He likes to bend the rules to avoid doing too much work. In Major Crimes, Provenza will have a difficult time taking orders from someone he doesn't think knows as much about the job as he does.
Lt. Andy Flynn (Tony Denison)
Lt. Flynn is passionate about his job but sometimes lets his friendship with Provenza get in the way. He always has a wise crack to keep the squad lifted, even in stressful situations.
Lt. Mike Tao (Michael Paul Chan)
Lt. Tao is the go-to guy for anything technology related. He thrives on using his expertise to crack cases; the more complex, the better. But he also tends to go overboard on details when explaining things.
Det. Julio Sanchez (Raymond Cruz)
Det. Sanchez is knowledgeable about the complexities of gang warfare in Los Angeles and can be a bit intimidating to a suspect. Even when his emotions run high, Sanchez knows how far he can push without crossing the line.
Buzz Watson (Philip P. Keene)
Buzz is the electronics room technician. In addition, he is the videographer of all crime-scene documentation for the Major Crimes Division. The outdated equipment provided by the LAPD causes Buzz constant frustration, but his instruments often prove useful in cracking a case.
Det. Amy Sykes (Kearran Giovanni)
Det. Amy Sykes is an ambitious undercover police detective and military veteran who served in Afghanistan. A new member of Major Crimes, Sykes struggles to prove herself and be taken seriously.
Rusty Beck (Graham Patrick Martin)
Rusty is a homeless juvenile who ends up living with Raydor after becoming a witness in an important homicide case. His troubled past shapes his unruly character.
Commander Taylor (Robert Gossett)
Commander Taylor helps the Major Crimes Division on many cases. He frequently acts as a press liaison and has proven to be a strong ally for closing cases.
FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney)
FBI Special Agent Fritz Howard is Brenda's husband. He works as the main liaison between Major Crimes and the FBI.
Dr. Morales (Jonathan Del Arco)
Medical examiner Dr. Morales often finds key clues in homicide cases during the autopsy. Always displaying a wry sense of humour, Dr. Morales brings a lightness to autopsies and pathology reports.
A.D.A. Emma Rios (Nadine Velazquez)
Newly assigned to the Phillip Stroh case, Emma interviews Rusty about his involvement as a key witness in the murder case. She immediately causes a stir within the department, coming into conflict with Captain Raydor when she questions Raydor's intentions as Rusty's guardian and challenges her authority.
Broadcast Notes
Season 3 premiered on M-Net Edge on Tuesday 21 October 2014, at 19h00, but it was preceded at 18h00 by the final episode of Season 2, which had already aired on the now-defunct M-Net Series Showcase.
Season 3 premiered on M-Net City on Wednesday 8 April 2015, at 23h00. Thereafter new episodes broadcast weekly at 22h00.