On this day May 16, 1988, CBS aired the final episode of Cagney and Lacey, bringing to a close one of television’s most groundbreaking and respected crime dramas. The series ran for seven seasons with 125 episodes and was followed by four made for TV movies that continued the story. Starring Sharon Gless as Christine Cagney and Tyne Daly as Mary Beth Lacey, the show focused on two strong female detectives working in New York City.
Cagney and Lacey stood out for its serious treatment of real world issues including alcoholism, sexism, domestic violence and workplace inequality, all while maintaining the depth of its characters and emotional storytelling. The chemistry between the leads and the show’s commitment to portraying women as capable professionals in a male dominated field earned it critical acclaim and a loyal audience.
The series won multiple Emmy Awards and broke barriers in how female leads were represented on television during the 1980s.
Fun fact: Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless both won Emmy Awards for their performances, with Daly winning four times and Gless winning twice during the show’s original run.
Cagney and Lacey stood out for its serious treatment of real world issues including alcoholism, sexism, domestic violence and workplace inequality, all while maintaining the depth of its characters and emotional storytelling. The chemistry between the leads and the show’s commitment to portraying women as capable professionals in a male dominated field earned it critical acclaim and a loyal audience.
The series won multiple Emmy Awards and broke barriers in how female leads were represented on television during the 1980s.
Fun fact: Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless both won Emmy Awards for their performances, with Daly winning four times and Gless winning twice during the show’s original run.
