Hill Street Blues (1981)
Steven Bochco's landmark NBC police drama that redefined American television with gritty realism, ensemble storytelling, and moral complexity across seven acclaimed seasons.
Hill Street Blues - Series Information
- Original Title: Hill Street Blues
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1987
- Created by: Steven Bochco
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (49 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 146
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 15, 1981 (United States - TV-14), January 15, 1981 (Australia - M)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: El precio del deber (ES), Capitaine Furillo (FR), Το Αστυνομικό Τμήμα της Χιλ Στριτ (GR), El precio del deber (MX)
- Production Companies: MTM Enterprises
- Production Countries: United States of America
Hill Street Blues - Plot
A realistic glimpse into the daily lives of the officers and detectives at an urban police station.
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Hill Street Blues - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Steven Bochco
Main Cast
- Daniel J. Travanti
- Michael Warren
- Bruce Weitz
- James B. Sikking
- Joe Spano
- Taurean Blacque
- Kiel Martin
- Betty Thomas
- Charles Haid
- Veronica Hamel
Writers
- Peter Silverman
- Jacob Epstein
- Michael Kozoll
- David Milch
- Anthony Yerkovich
Executive Producers
- Michael Kozoll
- Steven Bochco
Hill Street Blues - FAQs
Where can you stream Hill Street Blues today?
Hill Street Blues is available to purchase digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. There is currently no subscription streaming service carrying the full series, so buying individual episodes or full seasons is the primary viewing option.
How many Emmy Awards did Hill Street Blues win?
Hill Street Blues won 26 Primetime Emmy Awards across its run, including Outstanding Drama Series for its first four seasons. It set a record at the time by winning eight Emmys in a single year at the 1981 ceremony, cementing its place as one of television's most decorated dramas.
Did Hill Street Blues change how TV dramas were made?
Widely credited with revolutionizing the television drama format, Hill Street Blues introduced serialized storytelling, large ensemble casts, morally complex characters, and a documentary-style visual approach. Its influence is directly traceable to later landmark series including NYPD Blue, The Wire, ER, and virtually every prestige drama that followed.
Who are the main actors in Hill Street Blues?
The principal cast includes Daniel J. Travanti as Captain Frank Furillo, Veronica Hamel as attorney Joyce Davenport, Michael Warren as Officer Robert Hill, Bruce Weitz as Detective Mick Belker, Charles Haid as Officer Andy Renko, Betty Thomas as Sergeant Lucille Bates, and James B. Sikking as Lieutenant Howard Hunter, among others.
When did Hill Street Blues first air?
Hill Street Blues premiered on January 15, 1981, on NBC in the United States. The series ran for seven seasons before concluding in 1987, producing 146 episodes in total and fundamentally reshaping the landscape of American primetime television drama during that period.
How many seasons does Hill Street Blues have?
Hill Street Blues ran for seven seasons on NBC, comprising 146 episodes. Season lengths ranged from 17 episodes in the first season to 23 in Season 5. The series also includes a collection of special episodes. It concluded its original broadcast run in 1987.
Who created Hill Street Blues?
Hill Street Blues was created by Steven Bochco, who developed the series alongside Michael Kozoll for MTM Enterprises and NBC. Bochco went on to create other landmark series including L.A. Law and NYPD Blue, but Hill Street Blues remains the cornerstone achievement of his celebrated television career.
What is the content rating for Hill Street Blues?
Hill Street Blues carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating material that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains mature themes including urban violence, substance abuse, and morally complex situations reflecting the realities of inner-city law enforcement.
More About Hill Street Blues
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