87th Precinct (1961)
A gritty NBC police procedural adapting Ed McBain's landmark novels, bringing New York City detectives to life in the early 1960s.
87th Precinct - Series Information
- Original Title: 87th Precinct
- First Air Year: 1961
- Last Air Year: 1962
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 30
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Hubbell Robinson Productions, Revue Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
87th Precinct - Plot
87th Precinct is an American crime drama starring Robert Lansing, Gena Rowlands, and Ron Harper, which aired on NBC on Monday evenings during the 1961–1962 television season.
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87th Precinct - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Gregory Walcott
- Ron Harper
- Robert Lansing
- Norman Fell
- Gena Rowlands
- Dal McKennon
- Ruth Storey
- Michael Fox
- Rusty Lane
- Roger Mobley
Writers
- Winston Miller
- James Gunn
87th Precinct - FAQs
What is 87th Precinct about?
87th Precinct follows a team of New York City detectives as they investigate crimes and navigate the gritty realities of urban police work. Based on Ed McBain's celebrated novel series, the show blends procedural storytelling with character-driven drama, anchored by Robert Lansing as Detective Steve Carella.
Is 87th Precinct based on a true story?
Not a true story, but rooted in remarkably authentic fiction. The series adapts Ed McBain's acclaimed 87th Precinct novels, which were themselves praised for their realistic portrayal of police procedure. McBain — pen name of Evan Hunter — drew on extensive research to make the fictional precinct feel genuinely lived-in.
Who are the main actors in 87th Precinct?
The series stars Robert Lansing as Detective Steve Carella, Gena Rowlands as his wife Teddy Carella, Ron Harper as Detective Bert Kling, Norman Fell as Detective Meyer Meyer, and Gregory Walcott as Detective Roger Havilland. The ensemble cast brings Ed McBain's beloved characters vividly to life.
How many episodes does 87th Precinct have?
87th Precinct ran for a single season of 30 episodes, airing on NBC during the 1961–1962 television season on Monday evenings. Despite its relatively brief run, the show left a lasting impression as one of the more faithful and ambitious crime dramas of its era.
Where can you watch 87th Precinct today?
Streaming availability for 87th Precinct varies by region and platform. Your best resource for finding current viewing options — whether streaming, rental, or purchase — is JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date availability across all major platforms in your area.
Was 87th Precinct based on Ed McBain's novels?
Absolutely. The series is a direct adaptation of Ed McBain's long-running 87th Precinct crime novel series, which began in 1956. McBain's books were groundbreaking for their ensemble approach to police procedurals, and the NBC adaptation brought that same multi-detective format to television audiences for the first time.
What genre is 87th Precinct?
87th Precinct sits squarely in the crime, drama, and mystery genres. It's a police procedural at heart, following detectives through investigations with a strong emphasis on character dynamics and authentic New York City atmosphere — a formula that would go on to influence countless crime dramas that followed.
What are similar shows to 87th Precinct?
Fans of 87th Precinct tend to enjoy other classic and contemporary crime procedurals. Hawaii Five-O (1968), The F.B.I. (1965), and Lewis (2007) share its detective-driven storytelling. For modern picks, CSI: Vegas (2021), Full Circle (2023), and Murder in a Small Town (2024) offer a similar blend of crime and character.
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