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Homicide: Life on the Street

Name: Homicide: Life on the Street
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Crime
Released: 1993-01-31
Cast: Richard Belzer, Peter Gerety, Giancarlo Esposito, Clark Johnson, Yaphet Kotto

1993 | 7 seasons | 45 min | Mystery, Drama, Crime

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics rank it among the best shows ever made, it won 4 Emmys and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Castle or Elementary, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace: 7 seasons and 122 episodes: a long-haul commitment, episodes of about 45 minutes, about 92 hours in all.
What might put you off: Rated TV-14. Probably too much for younger kids.
A big time investment at 7 seasons.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An American police procedural chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
Named among the best TV shows of all time by critics (on 4 all-time best lists)
AudiencesSolid
8.1 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series – Night. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Television: Episodic Drama. Also nominated for 3 more Emmys and 1 PGA Award. Plus 7 other awards.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 7 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 438K people sought it out in the past year

Season by season

The show overall is a Friday Night Flick. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 5 is the high point.

Season 11993 · 9 episodes · 8.5 out of 10
Friday
Season 21994 · 4 episodes · 6.8 out of 10
Weeknight
Season 31994 · 20 episodes · 8.8 out of 10
Friday
Season 41995 · 22 episodes · 8.5 out of 10
Friday
Season 51996 · 22 episodes · 9.0 out of 10
Friday
Season 61997 · 23 episodes · 3.3 out of 10
Monday
Season 71998 · 22 episodes · 8.6 out of 10
Friday

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Cast & crew

Created by Paul Attanasio

Richard BelzerJohn Munch
Peter GeretyStuart Gharty
Giancarlo EspositoMichael Giardello
Clark JohnsonMeldrick Lewis
Yaphet KottoAl Giardello
Kyle SecorTim Bayliss
Jon SedaPaul Falsone
Callie ThorneLaura Ballard
Michael MicheleRene Sheppard
Toni LewisTerri Stivers