On this day March 25 1982 Cagney and Lacey premiered on CBS. The groundbreaking crime drama followed two female detectives navigating life and law enforcement in New York City. Tyne Daly played Mary Beth Lacey the tough working mother while Sharon Gless took over the role of Christine Cagney the ambitious single detective. The show ran for 7 seasons with a total of 125 episodes and made history for its strong female leads and realistic storytelling. Cagney and Lacey won the Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Drama in both 1985 and 1986. Tyne Daly won four Emmy Awards for Most Outstanding Actress in 1983 1984 1985 and 1988 while Sharon Gless won two in 1986 and 1987.
80s insight: Cagney and Lacey was one of the first prime time network dramas to focus entirely on two women in lead roles setting a new standard for female representation on television.
80s insight: Cagney and Lacey was one of the first prime time network dramas to focus entirely on two women in lead roles setting a new standard for female representation on television.
