CBS’Cagney & Laceyreboot has finally found its title characters, with Sarah Drew coming aboard as Cagney andMichelle Hurdplaying Lacey. This modern-day reboot of the original series will be set in Los Angeles, following these two LAPD detectives and friends as they try to keep the streets safe. The casting of Sarah Drew will certainly raise some eyebrows, since it comes less than a week after news broke that she will be exiting ABC’s hit seriesGrey’s Anatomyafter nine seasons on the show.
It was revealed last week that both Sarah Drew, who played Dr. April Kepner onGrey’s Anatomy, and Jessica Capshaw (Dr. Arizona Robbins), were leaving the show after the current Season 14. The show faced a lot of backlash from fans when it was revealed that both characters, who have long been fan favorites on the show, were leaving, with executive producer Krista Vernoff issuing a statement, making it clear that their exit was strictly a creative decision, and was not impacted by series star Ellen Pompeo’s new two-year deal, reportedly paying her more than $20 million a year.
This new report reveals that theGrey’s Anatomyteam has been very accommodating to Sarah Drew, adjusting her shooting schedule that would allow her to shoot theCagney & Laceypilot, which she wouldn’t have normally been able to do sinceGrey’s Anatomyis still in production on Season 14. Drew’s Cagney character is described as, “the nimble and easygoing partner and protegee” to Michelle Hurd’s Lacey, who is more experienced than her partner and is described as “empathetic and straightforward.” Lacey is also a former track star, who was specifically written and conceived as an African-American female in the pilot script.
CBS issued apilot orderin late January forCagney & Lacey, along with a pilot order for areboot of Magnum P.I.and four original pilots. The show has also made another big change from the original series, shifting the setting from New York to Los Angeles. The original series starred Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly as the title characters, alongside Al Waxman as Lt. Bert Samuels, Martin Kove as Victor Isbecki, John Karlen as Harvey Lacey and Carl Lumbly as Mark Petrie. There is no indication as to whether or notCBSmay bring back any of the original show’s stars in new roles.
Sarah Drew spent nine seasons onGrey’s Anatomy, eight as a series regular. Before that she had a recurring role as Kitty Romano on AMC’sMad Men, played Hannah Rogers on The WB’sEverwoodand got her start voicing several different roles on MTV’sDaria. She has also appeared in movies such asRadio,The Baxter,Moms Night Outand the upcomingIndivisible. Michelle Hurd has most recently appeared on Fox’sLethal Weaponand CBS’Hawaii Five-O. She has previously starred in a season-long arc on NBC’sBlindspot, and has had recurring roles on Starz’sAsh Vs. Evil Deadand Netflix’sDaredevil.Deadlinebroke the news about theCagney & Laceypilot casting.
