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. The show aired on NBC for seven seasons, from 1993 to 1999, and concluded with a TV movie that served as its unofficial finale. The series was inspired by David Simon’s book “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets,” with many characters and storylines drawn from real events described in the book. This book also influenced Simon’s later HBO series, “The Wire.”

While the show featured a diverse cast, Andre Braugher stood out for his role as Frank Pembleton, becoming the series’ 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. 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 46th on Entertainment Weekly’s “New TV Classics” list.