Memphis Beat

Memphis Beat is an American drama series that debuted on TNT on June 22, 2010 and ended on August 16, 2011. Memphis Beat was officially canceled on October 14, 2011.

Memphis Beat (2010-2011) is an American crime drama series created for TNT, set in present-day Memphis, Tennessee. Jason Lee plays Detective Dwight Hendricks, a city detective whose investigations pull him through the city's neighborhoods, precincts and courtrooms, while Alfre Woodard plays Lieutenant Tanya Rice, the supervisor who sets the team's priorities. Celia Weston appears as Paula Ann Hendricks, tying the detective's private life to his long working hours. Abraham Benrubi plays Sgt. JC Lightfoot, and Sam Hennings, DJ Qualls and Leonard Earl Howze fill out a detective squad whose members juggle open cases, departmental pressure and personal loyalties. The engine of the show is the steady grind of solving violent crimes in a city with its own history and rhythms, with each episode built around a new case that tests the team's methods and friendships. Its Southern atmosphere, humid streets and blues-inflected mood give it a grounded, character-focused tone. The series ran for two seasons and twenty episodes before cancellation, and it was shaped around a single continuing team rather than an anthology format. Fans of The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Street and In the Heat of the Night will find resonance in its procedural rhythm and Southern setting.

• The Wirepolice procedural tone, southern urban setting, detective ensemble
• Homicide: Life on the Streetgritty big city police drama with detective leads and personal stakes
• In the Heat of the NightSouthern setting, police procedural structure, character-driven crime stories

Release Date

2010-06-22

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (20)

What is Memphis Beat about?

A Memphis police detective team works cases across the city in a gritty TNT crime drama that was canceled after two seasons.

What is Memphis Beat like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Memphis Beat as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Memphis Beat violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Memphis Beat as moderate.

Which shows are like Memphis Beat?

Shows with a similar feel include The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Street, and In the Heat of the Night.

How long is Memphis Beat?

Memphis Beat: 2 seasons, 20 episodes.

Is Memphis Beat still running?

No, Memphis Beat was canceled.