Crime Story (1986)
The electrifying NBC crime saga pitting a relentless Chicago cop against a ruthless mob boss across two gripping seasons.
Crime Story - Series Information
- Original Title: Crime Story
- First Air Year: 1986
- Last Air Year: 1988
- Created by: Gustave Reininger, Chuck Adamson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 44 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 43
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 19, 1986
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Brigada mòbil de Xicago (ES), Crónicas do Crime (PT), Murharyhmä (FI), Криминальные истории (RU), Les incorruptibles de Chicago (FR)
- Production Companies: New World Television, Michael Mann Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Crime Story - Plot
The hard-boiled saga of hair-trigger cop Lieutenant Mike Torello and his obsessive pursuit of ruthless gangster Ray Luca.
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Crime Story - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Gustave Reininger
- Chuck Adamson
Main Cast
- Dennis Farina
- Tony Denison
- Steve Ryan
- Paul Butler
- Billy Campbell
- Bill Smitrovich
- Stephen Lang
- John Santucci
- Jack Angel
- Jon Polito
Writers
- David J. Burke
- Gail Morgan Hickman
- Chuck Adamson
- Gustave Reininger
- Richard Christian Danus
Crime Story - FAQs
Where can you stream Crime Story online?
Crime Story is available to stream on several platforms in the US, including Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, fuboTV, and Tubi TV. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home, or watched free with ads on Plex and The Roku Channel.
Is Crime Story based on real events or people?
Crime Story draws heavily from real-life experience. Co-creator Chuck Adamson was a Chicago Police Department detective who personally pursued real-life mobster Anthony Spilotro — the inspiration for villain Ray Luca. The show's authentic procedural detail reflects Adamson's firsthand knowledge of organized crime investigations in 1960s Chicago.
Who are the main actors in Crime Story?
Crime Story stars Dennis Farina as Lt. Mike Torello and Tony Denison as mob boss Ray Luca. The ensemble cast also includes Steve Ryan, Paul Butler, Billy Campbell, Bill Smitrovich, Stephen Lang, John Santucci, Jon Polito, and Ted Levine in a notable early role.
What is Crime Story about?
Crime Story is a gritty period crime drama set in 1960s Chicago and Las Vegas. It follows hard-nosed Lt. Mike Torello and his Major Crimes Unit as they relentlessly pursue rising mob boss Ray Luca. The show blends police procedural intensity with serialized storytelling and a vivid 1960s atmosphere.
Why did Crime Story get cancelled after two seasons?
Crime Story was cancelled by NBC after two seasons primarily due to declining ratings. Despite strong critical praise and a devoted cult following, the show's serialized format and dark tone struggled to attract mainstream audiences in the late 1980s, making it difficult to sustain the viewership NBC required.
How many seasons and episodes does Crime Story have?
Crime Story ran for two seasons on NBC, comprising 43 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 21 episodes and Season 2 contained 22 episodes. The series aired from September 1986 to May 1988 and was cancelled before a planned third season could be produced.
Did Crime Story win any awards or critical recognition?
Crime Story earned strong critical admiration for its cinematic production values, Dennis Farina's commanding performance, and its innovative serialized narrative structure. While it did not accumulate major award wins, it is widely regarded as a landmark of 1980s television and a forerunner of modern prestige crime dramas.
Who created Crime Story and what is its genre?
Crime Story was created by Gustave Reininger and Chuck Adamson, with Michael Mann serving as executive producer. The series blends Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure, and Mystery genres, delivering a stylized, period-set crime saga that reflects Mann's signature visual and narrative sensibility established in Miami Vice.
More About Crime Story
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