“L.A.’s Finest” is an American television series that premiered in 2019. It is a spin-off of the “Bad Boys” film franchise, and stars Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba as two Los Angeles Police Department detectives.
The show follows the lives of Syd Burnett (Union) and Nancy McKenna (Alba), as they investigate crimes in the city of Los Angeles. Burnett is a former DEA agent who has recently been transferred to the LAPD, while McKenna is a mother of two who has recently joined the police force after a long hiatus.
Throughout the series, the two detectives tackle a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, murder, and international terrorism. The show is known for its action-packed scenes and its strong female leads.
“L.A.’s Finest” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, with some praising the chemistry between Union and Alba, while others criticized the show’s reliance on action sequences and its lack of character development. The show was cancelled after its second season, despite plans for a third season.
Despite its cancellation, “L.A.’s Finest” remains a popular series among fans of the “Bad Boys” franchise, and its strong performances from Union and Alba have been praised. The show’s portrayal of strong female characters in law enforcement has also been noted as a positive representation for women in television.
Cast
The main cast of “L.A.’s Finest” includes:
- Gabrielle Union as Syd Burnett
- Jessica Alba as Nancy McKenna
- Duane Martin as Ben Baines
- Zach Gilford as Ben Walker
- Ryan McPartlin as Patrick McKenna
- Sophie Reynolds as Isabel McKenna
- Ernie Hudson as Joseph Burnett
Other notable cast members include Laz Alonso, Chris Greene, and Curtis Harris in recurring roles. The show also featured several guest stars throughout its two-season run, including Billy Baldwin, Miguel Gomez, and Zachary Knighton.
Production
“L.A.’s Finest” was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with 2.0 Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. The series was created by Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier, and was executive produced by Gabrielle Union, Jessica Alba, and Jerry Bruckheimer, among others.
The show was filmed on location in Los Angeles, California, with many scenes shot in recognizable landmarks and neighborhoods throughout the city. The series featured a variety of action sequences and stunts, which were choreographed by veteran stunt coordinator Jeff Wolfe.
Despite its strong female leads and diverse cast, “L.A.’s Finest” faced criticism for its lack of character development and for relying too heavily on action sequences. The show was cancelled after its second season, with plans for a third season being scrapped.
Despite its cancellation, “L.A.’s Finest” remains a popular series among fans of the “Bad Boys” franchise, and its portrayal of strong female characters in law enforcement has been praised. The show’s use of Los Angeles as a backdrop also received positive attention, with many critics noting the city’s iconic landmarks and neighborhoods as a highlight of the series.
Reviews
“L.A.’s Finest” received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Some praised the chemistry between Union and Alba, while others criticized the show’s reliance on action sequences and its lack of character development.
The show holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s consensus describing it as “an action-packed series with a female-led cast that doesn’t quite hit its mark.” The show was also noted for its diversity and inclusion, with many critics highlighting the strong representation of women and people of color in the cast and crew.
Despite its mixed reviews, “L.A.’s Finest” was praised for its portrayal of strong female characters in law enforcement, with Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba’s performances receiving particular acclaim. In a review for The Hollywood Reporter, Daniel Fienberg wrote that “Union and Alba are engaging, and they carry the series through any number of routine or nonsensical moments.”
Ultimately, “L.A.’s Finest” was cancelled after its second season, despite plans for a third season. The show’s impact on representation in television and its portrayal of strong female characters in law enforcement remains a notable aspect of its legacy, and it continues to have a dedicated fanbase among fans of the “Bad Boys” franchise.
Where are they now?
Since the cancellation of “L.A.’s Finest”, the cast and crew have continued to work in the entertainment industry.
- Gabrielle Union (Syd Burnett) has continued to act in television and film, including the series “Being Mary Jane” and the films “Breaking In” and “The Public”.
- Jessica Alba (Nancy McKenna) has focused on her business ventures, including her Honest Company, which produces non-toxic household products. She has also appeared in films such as “Killers Anonymous” and the upcoming “Bliss”.
- Duane Martin (Ben Baines) has continued to act in television and film, including the series “The Neighborhood” and the film “Bad Boys for Life”.
- Zach Gilford (Ben Walker) has appeared in several television shows, including “Good Girls” and “This Close”, and the film “The Purge: Anarchy”.
- Ryan McPartlin (Patrick McKenna) has continued to act in television and film, including the series “Debris” and the film “Bad Cupid”.
- Sophie Reynolds (Isabel McKenna) has appeared in several television shows, including “Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything” and “All Night”.
- Ernie Hudson (Joseph Burnett) has appeared in several television shows, including “Grace and Frankie” and “The Family Business”, and the film “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”.
Overall, the cast and crew of “L.A.’s Finest” have continued to make their mark in the entertainment industry since the show ended, and fans of the show can continue to follow their careers and enjoy their work in other projects.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “L.A.’s Finest”:
- The series was originally developed as a pilot for NBC, but was ultimately picked up by Spectrum Originals.
- The show is a spin-off of the “Bad Boys” film franchise, and Gabrielle Union reprised her role as Syd Burnett from “Bad Boys II” and “Bad Boys for Life”.
- “L.A.’s Finest” was the first original series produced by Spectrum Originals, a streaming service owned by Charter Communications.
- Jessica Alba’s character, Nancy McKenna, was originally written as a male character, but was changed to a female character to add more diversity to the cast.
- Several cast members from the “Bad Boys” films made guest appearances on the show, including Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
- The show’s opening credits feature the song “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, which was also featured in the film “Dangerous Minds”.
- The show was cancelled after its second season, despite plans for a third season that would have focused on Gabrielle Union’s character, Syd Burnett.
- The series was filmed on location in Los Angeles, with many scenes shot in recognizable landmarks and neighborhoods throughout the city.
- The show’s stunt coordinator, Jeff Wolfe, is a veteran of the entertainment industry and has worked on films such as “John Wick” and “The Bourne Identity”.
- The series was praised for its strong representation of women and people of color in the cast and crew, with many critics noting the show’s impact on diversity and inclusion in television.
Box office
