The cast of NYPD Blue sure has spread its wings post the iconic show that ended in 2005.
1. David Caruso (as John Kelly) – "CSI: Miami" (2002-2012) Caruso stepped into the shoes of Horatio Caine, the head of the Miami-Dade crime lab, a role he held for ten years. The series centers on Caine and his team of forensic experts, solving one baffling crime after another using science. Horatio, with his iconic sunglasses and dry one-liners ("Looks like he's... out of time."), leads his team through Miami's dangerous underbelly, tackling everything from drug trafficking to cybercrime.
It's forensic science with a slice of Miami heat.
2. Kim Delaney (as Diane Russell) – "Army Wives" (2007-2013) Swapping her NYPD badge for domestic life, Delaney played Claudia Joy Holden in "Army Wives." The series focuses on a group of women (and one man) who live on a military base and navigate the challenges of being married to the army. Claudia Joy is the unofficial leader of the group, often offering advice, support, and friendship.
From handling deployments and dangerous missions to managing home-front battles, these spouses prove they're as formidable as their uniformed counterparts.
3. James McDaniel (as Arthur Fancy) – "Sleepy Hollow" (2014-2015) McDaniel shifted from the precincts of NYPD Blue to the supernatural town of Sleepy Hollow, taking on the role of Ezra Mills. This series isn't your typical crime drama; it combines history with the supernatural. Ichabod Crane awakens in the 21st century and teams up with police lieutenant Abbie Mills to fight dark forces. McDaniel's character, Abbie's father, provides key background and connections to her mysterious past.
Who'd have thought colonial history could collide with modern crime-solving so seamlessly?
4. Jimmy Smits (as Bobby Simone) – "The West Wing" (2004-2006) Smits entered the political arena as Matt Santos in "The West Wing." Santos, a charismatic Congressman, later becomes the Democratic Presidential candidate. Throughout his campaign, the show delves into the intricacies of politics, the challenges of public scrutiny, and the personal toll it takes. Smits nails the role, showing both the gravitas and vulnerability required of a potential future president.
The show's look behind the curtain of politics is both educational and downright thrilling.
5. Sharon Lawrence (as Sylvia Costas) – "Rizzoli & Isles" (2010-2014) Trading the courtroom for the morgue, Lawrence guest-starred as Dr. Hope Martin in "Rizzoli & Isles." The series, focused on detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Dr. Maura Isles, brings together crime-solving and medical expertise. Lawrence's character turns out to be Isles' biological mother. Talk about a twist!
Their relationship, layered with secrets and regrets, adds emotional depth amidst the thrilling crime investigations.
6. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (as John Clark Jr.) – "Pitch" (2016-2017) Gosselaar switched things up, diving into the world of sports with "Pitch." He plays Mike Lawson, a veteran catcher, in this series about Ginny Baker, the first woman to play Major League Baseball. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Ginny finds a friend and mentor in Mike.
The series deftly deals with challenges of gender stereotypes, team dynamics, and personal ambition in the high-stakes world of professional sports.
7. Gordon Clapp (as Greg Medavoy) – "Chicago Fire" (2015) Clapp heated things up in "Chicago Fire" as Chaplain Orlovsky. Set in the Chicago Fire Department, the series focuses on the lives of firefighters and paramedics working at Firehouse 51. These heroes face life-and-death situations daily, relying on each other to get through the toughest of times.
Clapp's role as a chaplain brings solace and guidance to these brave souls, proving that heroes sometimes need saving too.
8. Henry Simmons (as Baldwin Jones) – "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" (2014-2020) From detective work to covert ops, Simmons joined "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" as Alphonso "Mack" MacKenzie. The series, set in the Marvel Universe, follows a group of agents led by Phil Coulson, tackling threats both terrestrial and cosmic. Mack, initially a mechanic, rises through the ranks to become director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
With advanced tech, alien encounters, and secret missions, this series is a rollercoaster of adrenaline.
9. Nicholas Turturro (as James Martinez) – "Blue Bloods" (2013-2015) Sticking close to police work, Turturro guest-starred as Sgt. Anthony Renzulli in "Blue Bloods." The series chronicles the Reagan family, all involved in law enforcement. From street patrols to courtroom dramas and dinner table debates, the Reagans are all about justice.
Turturro's character, a training officer, offers guidance to Jamie Reagan, ensuring he's ready for the mean streets of NYC.
