Fallen Angels (1993)
A landmark neo-noir anthology series bringing the hard-boiled fiction of Chandler, Hammett, and Spillane to life in a rain-soaked, shadow-drenched Los Angeles.
Fallen Angels - Series Information
- Original Title: Fallen Angels
- First Air Year: 1993
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Created by: William Horberg
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 15
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: Showtime
- Production Companies: Mirage Enterprises, Showtime Networks, Propaganda Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Perfect Crimes (FR)
Fallen Angels - Plot
A neo-noir anthology television series, set in somber Los Angeles right after World War II and before the election of American President John F. Kennedy. The episodes, although filmed in color, mimicked what had been done by Hollywood filmmakers during the film noir era of the 1940s and 1950s in terms of tone, look, and story content.
Fallen Angels - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- William Horberg
Main Cast
- Lynette Walden
- Dan Hedaya
- Bernard Hocke
- Alpheus Merchant
- Peter Gallagher
- Wayne Grace
- Dick Miller
- Patrick Massett
- Barbara Howard
- Grace Zabriskie
Writers
- Cornell Woolrich
- Jon Robin Baitz
- Raymond Chandler
- William Campbell Gault
- Walter Mosley
Executive Producers
- Lindsay Doran
- Sydney Pollack
Fallen Angels - FAQs
What is Fallen Angels about?
Fallen Angels is a neo-noir anthology series set in a shadowy post-WWII Los Angeles. Each self-contained episode adapts hard-boiled crime fiction by legendary authors including Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Mickey Spillane, recreating the moody visual style and moral ambiguity of classic 1940s and 1950s film noir.
Is Fallen Angels based on true stories or original fiction?
Fallen Angels is not based on true events. Each episode adapts published short stories and novels by celebrated crime writers such as Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Jim Thompson, Walter Mosley, and Cornell Woolrich, bringing classic pulp fiction to the screen in an anthology format.
Who are the main actors in Fallen Angels?
As an anthology series, Fallen Angels features a rotating cast across its episodes. Notable performers include Lynette Walden, Dan Hedaya, Peter Gallagher, Dick Miller, Grace Zabriskie, Patrick Massett, Wayne Grace, Barbara Howard, Bernard Hocke, and Alpheus Merchant, with guest stars like Jennifer Grey and William Petersen.
How many seasons and episodes does Fallen Angels have?
Fallen Angels ran for two seasons on Showtime, comprising 15 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 6 episodes and Season 2 expanded to 9 episodes. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long and tells a standalone noir story adapted from classic crime literature.
Who created Fallen Angels and who wrote the episodes?
Fallen Angels was created by William Horberg and executive produced by Sydney Pollack and Lindsay Doran. The episodes draw on source material from iconic crime writers including Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Jim Thompson, Walter Mosley, David Goodis, Cornell Woolrich, and Jon Robin Baitz.
Is Fallen Angels worth watching for noir fans?
Fallen Angels is widely regarded as a prestige gem for noir enthusiasts. The series earned critical praise for its cinematic ambition, distinguished source material, and impressive roster of directors and guest actors. Its faithful recreation of 1940s and 1950s noir atmosphere — shot in color yet deeply shadowed — makes it a distinctive and rewarding watch.
What makes Fallen Angels visually unique among TV series?
Although filmed in color, Fallen Angels deliberately mimicked the visual grammar of classic black-and-white film noir through low-key lighting, deep shadows, and expressionistic compositions. Cinematographers including Emmanuel Lubezki and Peter Suschitzky contributed to its striking look, giving each episode the feel of a lost Hollywood noir from the 1940s or 1950s.
What are similar shows to Fallen Angels?
Viewers who enjoy Fallen Angels may also appreciate Baghdad Central, a noir-inflected crime drama, and Murder Most Horrid, another anthology series with dark storytelling. For broader recommendations, Breaking Bad and Alias Grace share the series' interest in moral complexity, atmospheric tension, and richly drawn characters navigating a dangerous world.
More About Fallen Angels
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