Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union’s action drama L.A.’s Finest is crossing the pond.
The procedural cop show is a female-driven spin on Jerry Bruckheimer’s Bad Boys universe. The original franchise featured Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the lead roles.
Fox has acquired L.A.’s Finest for a UK audience by striking a deal with Sony Pictures Television.
“We’re excited to have Fox Networks Group on board and think this action-packed series will be a great fit for their audience,” said Holly Comiskey, SVP, distribution and networks for SPT in the U.K. and Ireland.
The show comes from writers Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier. Former CSI: NY showrunner Pam Veasey is executive producer/co-showrunner on this project. Union and Alba also executive produce.
What is it about?
L.A.’s Finest follows Syd Burnett, a character who first appeared in the 2003 feature film Bad Boys II, also played by Gabrielle Union.
Syd was last seen in Miami taking down a drug cartel. She has since left her past behind to become an LAPD detective. Deadline’s synopsis reads:
“Paired with a new partner, Nancy McKenna (Alba), a working mom with an equally complex past, Burnett is pushed to examine whether her unapologetic lifestyle might be masking a greater personal secret. These two women don’t agree on much, but they find common ground when it comes to taking on the most dangerous criminals in Los Angeles.
“With sparkling on-screen chemistry from Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, L.A.’s Finest is a fun and fresh action series that Fox viewers will love,” said Shoshana Wilson, Director of Programming, Scheduling & Acquisitions at Fox Networks Group Europe.
“With amazing production values and from the makers of Bad Boys and the CSI franchise, the series is in keeping with Fox’s Hollywood heritage.”
Fans of the Bad Boys franchise will also find easter eggs and subtle references to the universe in L.A.’s Finest.
Who is in the cast?
L.A.’s Finest stars Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane, Bring It On) and Jessica Alba (Fantastic Four, Sin City). Union and Alba play leads Syd and Nancy, who work as partners for the LAPD. According to a review in the Hollywood Reporter, they achieve great on-screen chemistry. In particular, Gabrielle Union is convincing in her role.
Ernie Hudson (Hot Streets, Grace and Frankie) plays Joseph Burnett. You may recognise him from his role in Ghost Busters.
Sophie Reynolds (Youth & Consequences) plays Isabel “Izzy” McKenna while Ryan McPartlin (CSI: Miami, Chuck) appears as Patrick McKenna.
Zach Gilford (Good Girls, The Purge: Anarchy) plays Ben Walker and Duane Martin (All Of Us) plays Ben Baines.
When does it air?
L.A.’s Finest will premiere in the UK on Wednesday 10th July @ 9 pm.
Catch all thirteen episodes of the procedural on FOX.