The Protector (TV series)

The Protector
Also known as Exit 19
Genre
Created by
Starring
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Jeffrey Bell
  • Nina Wass
  • Gene Stein
  • Allison Cross
Producer(s)
Running time 43 minutes
Production company(s)
Broadcast
Original channel Lifetime
Picture format NTSC (480i)
HDTV 1080i
Original run June 12, 2011 (2011-06-12) – September 19, 2011 (2011-09-19)
External links
Website

The Protector is an American drama television series created by Michael Nankin and Jeffrey Bell. The series stars Ally Walker as Gloria Sheppard, a single mother who struggles to maintain the balance between her personal and professional life as an LAPD homicide detective.

The series is broadcast in the United States on the cable channel Lifetime, and is a co-production between ABC Studios and Wass-Stein Productions. It premiered on June 12, 2011 and ended on September 19, 2011. On September 8, 2011, Lifetime announced it will not renew the series for a second season.[1]

Contents

Overview

The series follows Gloria Sheppard, an LAPD detective attached to the Robbery-Homicide Division. A recent divorcee and single mother, Gloria has to perform her duties as a LAPD homicide detective while raising her twin sons. Gloria's brother, Davey Sheppard, whose house she recently moved in to, helps to raise her two sons Nick and Leo. While at work, Gloria must solve some of Los Angeles most high profile crimes with the assistance of her partner, Detective Michelle Dulcett as well as Detective Ramon "Romeo" Rush, Buerge and Van Stone, while being overseen by her commanding officer, Lieutenant Felix Valdez.

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

Development and production

Originally known as Exit 19, The Protector was initially developed by Jeffrey Bell, based on a script written by Michael Nankin, in late 2007. In early 2008, CBS placed an order for a pilot presentation for Exit 19.[3] Bell wrote the pilot. Nankin was attached to the project as director, with Bell, Nina Wass and Gene Stein serving as executive producers. The pilot was a co-production of ABC Studios, CBS Television Studios and Wass-Stein Productions. It was described as being about "a quirky homicide detective on the mean streets of Manhattan who also is a single mom to two kids in the suburbs on Long Island."[3] Geena Davis was the first to be cast in the pilot as 'Gloria'. She also served as co-executive producer.[3] Next to join the pilot was Matthew Lillard as Gloria's younger brother.[4] Rosie Perez, Ramon Rodriguez and Amy Farrington were the last actors to be cast, with Perez playing 'Lorna', Gloria's partner on the NYPD, Rodriguez playing 'a smart flirty cop who works with Gloria and Lorna', and Farrington playing Gloria's neighbor.[5] On May 10, 2008, it was announced that CBS had decided not to pick up the pilot to series.[6]

In July 2009, Lifetime announced it was redeveloping the pilot.[7] In June 2010, the network placed a pilot order.[8]

Casting announcements began in November 2010, with Ally Walker first to be cast. Walker portrays Gloria Sheppard, a Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective who is juggling her demanding personal and professional lives while raising two children.[9] Next to join the series was Tisha Campbell-Martin and Chris Payne Gilbert, with Campbell-Martin playing Michelle Dulcett, Gloria's smart and vivacious partner, and Gilbert playing Davey Sheppard, Gloria's younger brother, a recovering alcoholic, with whom she shares the house the two co-own.[10] Last to be cast was Miguel Ferrer playing Lieutenant Felix Valdez, Gloria's boss.[11]

The network green lighted the series on February 7, 2011, with an order of 13 hour-long episodes.[12] The series is a co-production between ABC Studios and Wass-Stein Productions. On May 3, 2011, during the network's 2011–2012 upfronts presentation, Lifetime announced that Exit 19 had been retitled The Protector and would debut in the summer of 2011.[13]

Reception

Critical reception

The Protector has received mixed to average reviews, earning a score of 53 on Metacritic.[14] The New York Daily News said of the series: "Where "Army Wives" can get soapy at times, it also starts with a premise that sets it apart. The Protector doesn't start with that advantage."[15] The New York Times gave a mixed review: "Ms. Walker is an appealing actress with a strong presence, but in the pilot, at least, her character isn't as well formed or well written as other tough-talking television dames."[16] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gave the pilot a positive review:

The Protector is fairly routine plot-wise but the breezy tone--conveyed through upbeat music and snappy dialogue--and strong, collegial performances make this series a welcome summer diversion.[17]

Ratings

The pilot episode premiered with 1.90 million total viewers,[18] scoring 0.9 million viewers in the 18–49 demographic.

Season Season Premiere Season Finale
Date Viewers
Total
(in millions)
Viewers
18–49
Date Viewers
Total
(in millions)
Viewers
18–49
1 July 11, 2011[1] 1.90[18] 0.85 September 19, 2011[1] N/A N/A

International broadcasting

Country Network Premiere date
 Canada CTV Two TBA[19]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Shows A-Z - The Protector on Lifetime". The Futon Critic. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/protector/listings/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  2. ^ "Affairs". The Protector. Lifetime. 15 August 2011. No. 9, season 1. 25 minutes in. "She's a D-II." Stated by Detective Buerge.
  3. ^ a b c "Development Update: Tuesday, March 18". The Futon Critic. March 18, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/03/18/development-update-tuesday-march-18-26985/7581/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Development Update: Friday, April 4". The Futon Critic. April 4, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/04/04/development-update-friday-april-4-27172/7599/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  5. ^ "Development Update: Monday, April 7". The Futon Critic. April 7, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2008/04/07/development-update-monday-april-7-27178/7601/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  6. ^ Finke, Nikki (May 10, 2008). "Primetime Pilot Panic: CBS Rejects Geena". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2008/05/primetime-pilot-panic-cbs-rejects-geena/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Development Update: Thursday, July 23". The Futon Critic. July 23, 2008. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2009/07/23/development-update-thursday-july-23-32095/8216/. Retrieved October 24, 2010. 
  8. ^ "Lifetime Television Orders Three Drama Pilots for 2011". The Futon Critic. June 23, 2010. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/06/23/lifetime-television-orders-three-drama-pilots-for-2011-36238/20100623lifetime02/. Retrieved October 24, 2010. 
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 1, 2010). "Ally Walker To Star In Lifetime Pilot 'Exit 19'". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/ally-walker-to-star-in-lifetime-pilot-exit-19/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 10, 2010). "Two Join Ally Walker On Lifetime's 'Exit 19'". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/two-join-ally-walker-on-lifetimes-exit-19/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 22, 2010). "CASTINGS ROUNDUP: Trio Join Cable Pilots". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/castings-roundup-trio-join-cable-pilots/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 7, 2011). "Lifetime Greenlights 2 New Scripted Series". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/lifetime-greenlights-two-new-scripted-series/. Retrieved August 13, 2011. 
  13. ^ Seidman, Robert (May 3, 2011). "Lifetime Announces 2011-12 Programming Slate Including New Dramas 'The Protector' and 'Against the Wall'". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/03/lifetime-announces-2011-12-programming-slate-including-new-dramas-the-protector-and-against-the-wall/91377/. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  14. ^ "The Protector: Season 1". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-protector/season-1/critic-reviews. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  15. ^ Hinckley, David (June 11, 2011). "'The Protector' review: New Lifetime series handcuffed by stale lady-cop cliches". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2011/06/11/2011-06-11_series_handcuffed_by_ladycop_cliches.html. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  16. ^ Stanley, Allesandra (June 10, 2011). "Television review: The Protector It’s a Crime That Men Are So Lazy". New York Times. http://tv.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/arts/television/the-protector-with-ally-walker-on-lifetime-review.html. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  17. ^ Owen, Rob (June 9, 2011). "Ally Walker shows breezier side in 'The Protector'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11160/1152347-67.stm. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 
  18. ^ a b Gorman, Bill (June 14, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones', 'Real Housewives,' 'Kardashians,' 'In Plain Sight,' 'Army Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/06/14/sunday-cable-ratings-game-of-thrones-real-housewives-kardashians-in-plain-sight-army-wives-more/95543/. Retrieved June 22, 2011. 
  19. ^ "THE CTV FACTOR: 16 NEW SERIES JOIN CANADA’S MOST X-TRAORDINARY TELEVISION LINEUPS IN 2011/12". CTV. http://bellmediapr.ca/ctv/falllaunch/announcement.asp?id=88. Retrieved August 14, 2011. 

External links