Cagney & Lacey, which ran on CBS from 1982 to 1988, wasn’t just another cop show; it was a television landmark that redefined the genre and paved the way for stronger female leads. Created by Barbara Corday and Barbara Avedon, the series initially struggled to find its footing. It actually started as a TV movie in 1981, with Loretta Swit and Tyne Daly in the lead roles. The movie didn’t make much of an impact, but the idea was there.
When CBS picked up the idea they opted to recast the lead role. Meg Foster was cast as Christine Cagney when the series aired in the Spring of 1982. The show was canceled after six episodes, but a summer of repeats of those episodes generated such a positive response that CBS reversed their decision and brought the show back for a second attempt at success. Sharon Gless replaced Foster at that point. This was all before the first full season even began, and it gives a good indication of the problems that lay ahead, and the eventual success. So, what was it that eventually captured people’s attention, and made this program such a success?
The program’s focus on two female detectives was, itself, a big deal in a television landscape dominated by male-centric crime dramas. Christine Cagney, played with a tough exterior and underlying vulnerability by Sharon Gless, was the career-driven single woman, while Mary Beth Lacey, portrayed by Tyne Daly with warmth and an unyielding moral compass, was a working mother trying to balance her job with family life. Their personalities often clashed, but their differences only strengthened their partnership, creating a believable relationship that felt both respectful and genuine.
The show didn’t shy away from the challenges these women faced in their professional lives, which involved very real issues of sexism within the police force. There was also the added pressure of trying to balance their personal lives with their career demands, a theme that resonated with many viewers. The characters had great depth and the program didn’t shy from the tough subject matter of the day, which included alcoholism, and abortion, amongst other things. The program was never afraid to tackle the bigger issues that were affecting ordinary people at that time.
Cagney and Lacey’s impact extended beyond simply featuring female leads. It also explored a range of themes that resonated with audiences. The show’s storylines often tackled difficult social issues, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault, with sensitivity and without judgement. Each episode presented the viewer with realistic situations, without resorting to sensationalism. The characters were also far from perfect, and that’s what made them so relatable. These were real people with very real problems, both at work, and at home.
Each episode typically focused on a single case, allowing for a range of stories to be told, but also allowing for the characters to develop at a steady pace. The overall feel of the show was very grounded and realistic, avoiding the usual over-the-top action sequences that were common at that time. This allowed the audience to focus on the characters and the situations that they found themselves in.
The program also had a significant impact on how women were represented on television, and it paved the way for future shows that featured strong female characters. The show’s success demonstrated that audiences were receptive to stories about women who were not just mothers or wives, but also professionals who were capable of taking charge, and making mistakes. While the show was always well written, and the production was of a very high standard, it was the quality of the acting that made it so popular. Not only did Gless and Daly give career-defining performances, they were ably supported by a great ensemble cast that included Al Waxman as their supervisor, Lieutenant Bert Samuels, John Karlen as Mary Beth’s husband, Harvey Lacey, and Martin Kove as Detective Victor Isbecki.
Cagney & Lacey is a CBS production.
Years ran: 1982-1988
Number of Episodes: 125
Creators: Barbara Corday and Barbara Avedon
Cast: Sharon Gless, Tyne Daly, Al Waxman, John Karlen, and Martin Kove
