Homicide: Life on the Street

“Homicide: Life on the Street” is an American TV series that delves into the operations of a fictionalized Homicide Unit within the Baltimore Police Department. This police procedural aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1993 to 1999, and concluded with a TV movie that served as the unofficial series finale. The show was inspired by David Simon’s book, “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” with many of its characters and storylines drawn from real events described in the book. This work also influenced Simon’s later series, “The Wire,” on HBO.

While the series featured a diverse ensemble cast, Andre Braugher stood out with his performance as Frank Pembleton, becoming the show’s breakout star. “Homicide” received critical acclaim, winning the Television Critics Association Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Drama in 1996, 1997, and 1998. It made history by becoming the first drama to win three Peabody Awards for best drama in 1993, 1995, and 1997. The episode “Prison Riot” was ranked 32nd on TV Guide’s list of the 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time in 1997. Additionally, in 2007, Time magazine included it in their list of the “Best TV Shows of All-TIME.” In 1996, TV Guide dubbed it ‘The Best Show You’re Not Watching,’ and it was ranked #46 on Entertainment Weekly’s “New TV Classics” list.