NYPD Blue original series stars Kim Delaney (Army Wives) and Bill Brochtrup (Shameless) will be reprising their roles in ABC’s revival of the crime drama, TVLine has confirmed.
Delaney and Brochtrup will portray their respective roles of Diane Russell and John Irvin in the pilot. The stars will both be billed as series regulars. Delaney joined the original series in Season 2 and eventually won the 1997 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Brochtrup joined the series in Season 11, playing the openly-gay Police Administrative Aide (PAA).
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The pilot and potential series will center on an adult Theo Sipowicz who is attempting to earn his detective shield and work in the 15th squad while investigating his father Andy’s murder. Andy was played by Dennis Franz in the original series.
NYPD Blue alums Matt Olmstead, Nick Wootton, and Jesse Bochco will spearhead the pilot. Olmstead and Wootton will write while Bochco, son of NYPD Blue co-creator Steven Bochco, who reportedly gave his son his blessing to revive the series before his death on April 1, is set to direct. Bochco’s widow, Dayna Bochco, will serve as a producer on the project.
Created by Bochco and David Milch, NYPD Blue debuted in 1993 and ran for 12 seasons, setting a record for the longest-running drama series on ABC, a mark only recently eclipsed by Grey’s Anatomy. It won 20 Emmy Awards from 84 nominations over its run, including best drama series, and was lauded for its realistic portrayal of cops’ lives.
NYPD Blue also pushed the boundaries of broadcast content with its depiction of nudity and alcoholism, drawing an FCC fine over a racy 2003 scene featuring Charlotte Ross’ buttocks that was eventually struck down by a court.
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