Lethal Weapon (TV series)

Lethal Weapon
Genre	Comedy-drama Buddy cop Action Police procedural
Created by	Shane Black (franchise) Matt Miller (development)
Starring	Damon Wayans Clayne Crawford Jordana Brewster Keesha Sharp Kevin Rahm Johnathan Fernandez Chandler Kinney Dante Brown Michelle Mitchenor Seann William Scott
Composer(s)	Josh Kramon Ben Decter Tree Adams Robert Lydecker
Number of seasons	3
Number of episodes	55 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Matt Miller Dan Lin Jennifer Gwartz McG
Producer(s)	Kelly Van Horn
Running time	42–46 minutes
Production company(s)	Good Session Productions Lin Pictures Warner Bros. Television
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Broadcast
Original channel	Fox
Original run	September 21, 2016 – February 26, 2019
External links
Official website

Lethal Weapon is an American buddy cop action comedy-drama television series developed by Matt Miller and based on the film franchise of the same name created by Shane Black. The series ran for three seasons on Fox, from September 2016 to February 2019.

For its first two seasons, Lethal Weapon starred Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans as Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, mismatched detective partners who were also the main characters in the films, originally played by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. The series also includes other characters directly or loosely inspired by characters from the films, including Leo Getz (played by Thomas Lennon)—a close friend of Riggs and Murtaugh, portrayed in the films by Joe Pesci.

In May 2018, amidst reports of alleged bad behavior and incidents of hostility between cast and crew on the show's set, Crawford was fired from the show, resulting in the Martin Riggs character being killed off. Seann William Scott was hired to replace him the following season as a new character, Wesley Cole. The third season premiered on September 25, 2018.

In October 2018, Wayans announced that he would leave the series following the end-of-season production in December 2018. Soon afterward, Fox ordered an additional two episodes for the third season, bringing the total for the season to fifteen episodes.

Synopsis

For the first two seasons, Roger Murtaugh, an aging detective with a wife and three children, is partnered with Martin Riggs, a young, unstable detective whose wife and unborn child were recently murdered. While Riggs' devil-may-care methods of collaring criminals puts his and Murtaugh's lives in danger on a regular basis, the two are able to develop a respect and form a close friendship. Following Riggs' death in season two, Murtaugh enters a six-month period of depression and during this time he meets and befriends Wesley Cole. Cole is a former CIA operative who has been everywhere and seen everything, and soon finds himself navigating a new partnership with Murtaugh, as he adjusts to life in Los Angeles.

Cast and Characters

• Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh, a senior Los Angeles Police Department Detective who returns to the force after recovering from a heart attack and is partnered with Texas transfer Martin Riggs. He is married with three children (two teenagers and a toddler). He is a native of Inglewood, California, and currently resides in Sherman Oaks. In "Family Ties", Murtaugh is promoted to Captain after Avery decides to step down in order to run for office. He was originally played by Danny Glover in the film series.

• Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs (seasons 1–2), a Navy SEAL-turned-police officer from El Paso, Texas. He moved to Los Angeles after the death of his wife and unborn child, transferring from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division. Riggs lives in a trailer on the beach. He was originally played by Mel Gibson in the film series.

• Jordana Brewster as Dr. Maureen Cahill (seasons 1–2; guest season 3), the police department's psychologist who treats Det. Riggs (and occasionally Det. Murtaugh). Although sometimes she is referred to as a psychiatrist and prescribes drugs (for example in "Better Living Through Chemistry"). The character is originally based on Dr. Stephanie Woods played by Mary Ellen Trainor in the film series.

• Keesha Sharp as Trish Murtaugh, Det. Murtaugh's loving wife and mother of his three children who works as a defense attorney. In the season one episode "As Good As It Getz", Trish quits her job after being passed over for managing partner at her law firm. She was originally played by Darlene Love in the film series.

• Kevin Rahm as Captain Brooks Avery, the Commanding Officer of Robbery-Homicide Division. Before his promotion, Capt. Avery was partners with Det. Murtaugh. In "Lawmen", it is revealed that years ago he and a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) planted evidence to convict a murderer after previous evidence was excluded from trial; he was prepared to resign over the incident when it came to light, but Murtaugh convinced him to stay because if his impropriety was revealed it would mean that all of Avery's cases (many of which he worked with Murtaugh) would be reviewed if not overturned entirely. The character is based on Captain Ed Murphy played by Steve Kahan in the film series.

• Johnathan Fernandez as Bernard Scorsese, a medical examiner, forensic scientist and aspiring screenwriter who works alongside Dets. Murtaugh and Riggs.

• Michelle Mitchenor as Detective Sonya Bailey, a fellow detective with Robbery-Homicide Division. She is partnered with Det. Alex Cruz during the first season, Det. Zach Bowman in the second season, and Det. Luisa Gutierrez in the third season.

• Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh, Det. Murtaugh's teenage daughter. The character is based on Rianne Murtaugh, played by Traci Wolfe in the film series.

• Dante Brown as Roger "RJ" Murtaugh Jr., Det. Murtaugh's teenage son. He graduated from high school at the end of season 1 and briefly attended college before dropping out during season 2. The character is based on Nick Murtaugh, played by Damon Hines in the film series.

• Seann William Scott as Wesley Cole (season 3), a war veteran, former C.I.A. field officer, and father who moves to Los Angeles to be closer to his child. The character is based on Lorna Cole, Riggs' love interest played by Rene Russo in the film series.

Production

The series was ordered on May 10, 2016 and premiered on Fox on September 21, 2016. On October 12, 2016, Fox picked up the series for a full season of 18 episodes. On February 22, 2017, Fox renewed the series for a 22-episode second season, which premiered on September 26, 2017. On May 13, 2018, the series was renewed for a 13-episode third season, with Seann William Scott replacing Clayne Crawford as the series' co-lead, playing a new character.

Casting

On February 12, 2016, Damon Wayans was cast as Roger Murtaugh. On February 19, 2016, Golden Brooks was cast as Trish Murtaugh. On March 3, 2016, Jordana Brewster was cast as Dr. Maureen Cahill. On March 7, 2016, Kevin Rahm was cast as Captain Avery. On March 10, 2016, Clayne Crawford was cast as Martin Riggs. On March 15, 2016, Chandler Kinney was cast as Riana Murtaugh. On March 17, 2016, it was announced that Keesha Sharp would take over the role of Trish Murtaugh from Brooks. Also on March 17, Johnathan Fernandez was cast as Scorsese. When the pilot was picked up to series, Johnathan Fernandez was made a series regular. Though showrunner Matt Miller had expressed interest in making Thomas Lennon a series regular as Leo Getz at some point, he remained a recurring actor throughout the three season run.

Controversy and Cancellation

On February 12, 2016, Damon Wayans was cast as Roger Murtaugh. On February 19, 2016, Golden Brooks was cast as Trish Murtaugh. On March 3, 2016, Jordana Brewster was cast as Dr. Maureen Cahill. On March 7, 2016, Kevin Rahm was cast as Captain Avery. On March 10, 2016, Clayne Crawford was cast as Martin Riggs. On March 15, 2016, Chandler Kinney was cast as Riana Murtaugh. On March 17, 2016, it was announced that Keesha Sharp would take over the role of Trish Murtaugh from Brooks. Also on March 17, Johnathan Fernandez was cast as Scorsese. When the pilot was picked up to series, Johnathan Fernandez was made a series regular. Though showrunner Matt Miller had expressed interest in making Thomas Lennon a series regular as Leo Getz at some point, he remained a recurring actor throughout the three season run.

External Links

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Media Films: • • • TV Series: TV Series Home Video: Video Soundtracks: Characters Martin Riggs • Roger Murtaugh • Trish Murtaugh • Rianne Murtaugh • Nick Murtaugh • Carrie Murtaugh • Captain Ed Murphy • Dr. Stephanie Woods • General Peter McAllister • Jack Joshua • Michael Hunsaker • Leo Getz • Arjen Rudd • Pieter Vorstedt • Rika van des Haas • Lorna Cole • Jack Travis • Lee Butters • Wah Sing Ku • Uncle Benny Chan Locations Los Angeles • LAPD • Riggs' Trailer • Murtaugh Home • ICSI Building • Alba Varden • Roger Murtaugh's Boat • Rancho Oroya Objects/Weapons Bereatta 92 • Smith & Wesson Model 19 Vehicles/Transports People Actors: Directors: Producers: Screenwriters: See also

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