Cold Case (2003)
The CBS crime drama that gave Philadelphia's forgotten victims a second chance at justice — one cold case at a time.
Cold Case - Series Information
- Original Title: Cold Case
- First Air Year: 2003
- Last Air Year: 2010
- Created by: Meredith Stiehm
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (44 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 156
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 28, 2003 (United States - TV-PG), September 28, 2003 (Canada - 14+), September 28, 2003 (United Kingdom - 15), September 28, 2003 (Germany - 16), September 28, 2003 (Brazil - 16), September 28, 2003 (Mexico - B), September 28, 2003 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: CBS
- Alternative Titles: Casos Arquivados (PT), Cold Case: Arquivo Morto (BR)
- Production Companies: Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Kurtis Productions, Warner Bros. Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cold Case - Plot
The Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective finds her calling when she is assigned cases that have never been solved. Detective Lilly Rush combines her natural instincts with the updated technology available today to bring about justice for all the victims she can.
Where to Watch Cold Case
Looking for where to watch Cold Case?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Cold Case - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Meredith Stiehm
Main Cast
- Kathryn Morris
- Danny Pino
- Jeremy Ratchford
- Thom Barry
- John Finn
- Tracie Thoms
- Lilli Birdsell
- Jonathan LaPaglia
- Nicki Aycox
- Josh Hopkins
Writers
- Veena Sud
- Liz W. Garcia
- Greg Plageman
- Meredith Stiehm
- Tyler Bensinger
Executive Producers
- Jerry Bruckheimer
- Jonathan Littman
- Meredith Stiehm
- Veena Sud
Cold Case - FAQs
Where can you stream Cold Case online?
Cold Case is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Max (formerly HBO Max), and The Roku Channel with ads. It can also be watched through YouTube TV and TNT. Individual episodes and seasons are available for purchase on Amazon Video for those who prefer to own digital copies.
Why was Cold Case cancelled after season 7?
CBS cancelled Cold Case in 2010 after seven seasons, primarily due to declining ratings in its later years and scheduling challenges. The network did not renew it for an eighth season, leaving the series without a formal finale — a decision that disappointed many loyal fans who wanted closure for Detective Lilly Rush.
Who plays Detective Lilly Rush in Cold Case?
Kathryn Morris plays Detective Lilly Rush, the central character of Cold Case. Morris anchored all seven seasons of the series, portraying Philadelphia's only female homicide detective with quiet intensity. Her performance earned the show a dedicated following and established her as one of television's most compelling procedural leads of the 2000s.
Did Cold Case ever get a proper series finale?
Cold Case did not receive a proper series finale. CBS cancelled the show after its seventh season without advance notice, so the final episode — which aired in May 2010 — was not written or produced as a series conclusion. The abrupt ending left several character storylines unresolved, frustrating fans who had followed the show for years.
What is Cold Case about?
Cold Case follows Detective Lilly Rush of the Philadelphia homicide squad, the unit's only female investigator, as she reopens unsolved murders from the past. Each episode blends present-day investigation with vivid flashbacks to the era of the original crime, exploring the victim's story while Lilly and her team pursue long-overdue justice.
How many seasons and episodes does Cold Case have?
Cold Case ran for 7 seasons and 156 episodes on CBS from 2003 to 2010. Season breakdowns are: Seasons 1–3 (23 episodes each), Season 4 (24 episodes), Season 5 (18 episodes), Season 6 (23 episodes), and Season 7 (22 episodes). It remains one of the longer-running crime procedurals in CBS history.
Is Cold Case based on real unsolved crimes?
Cold Case is not directly based on specific real unsolved crimes. The series is a fictional procedural created by Meredith Stiehm, though its premise — detectives reopening dormant homicide cases — mirrors real cold case units that exist in police departments across the United States, lending the show a grounded, realistic atmosphere.
Who created Cold Case and who produced it?
Cold Case was created by Meredith Stiehm and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Kurtis Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers included Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, Meredith Stiehm, and Veena Sud. The series aired on CBS and became a flagship entry in the network's acclaimed Sunday night crime drama lineup.
More About Cold Case
Explore further details, ratings, and official records for Cold Case on these trusted platforms.