When Cagney & Lacey first hit screens in 1982, it rewrote the rules of primetime drama. Gritty, emotional and unapologetically political, the police crime drama centred on two very different New York detectives navigating crime – and sexism – in equal measure.
When the show first premiered, female-led dramas were rare, and complex, flawed women at the centre of crime series were practically unheard of. The show tackled issues like workplace discrimination, domestic violence and addiction long before such topics were standard television fare.
© CBS via Getty ImagesAt the heart of it all were Tyne Daly as the grounded, working-class married mom Mary Beth Lacey and Sharon Gless as the single, sharp and ambitious Christine Cagney.
Christine was more composed and guarded than her outspoken, big-hearted partner Mary Beth, yet her perspective – sharp, pragmatic and quietly principled – resonated with viewers from every walk of life. Onscreen, their chemistry was electric, their performances award-winning, and their impact undeniable.
© FilmMagicThe series was set in a fictionalized version of Manhattan's 14th Precinct (known as "Midtown South"). The show ran for seven seasons until 1988, and garnered multiple Emmys during that time.
More than four decades later, both actresses have naturally evolved far beyond their tough-as-nails detective personas – and recent appearances have sparked a wave of nostalgic double-takes from fans who grew up watching the groundbreaking series.
© Bruce Glikas/WireImageTyne, now 80, has traded Lacey's practical trench coats for elegant, theatrical flair. A celebrated stage actress, she has continued to command respect in theatre circles, earning Tony Awards and critical acclaim.
She also received an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination for her role in the Patrick Wang drama A Bread Factory, and delighted fans with her portrayal of Anne Marie Hoag in Marvel Studios' Spider-Man: Replica Luxury Handbagcoming.
Her long-standing friendship with Sharon Gless is legendary, and the pair connected from day one. "One of the great things about meeting Sharon Gless is that she has a wonderful knack for laughing at herself," Tyne told Smashing Interviews. "That's when you start to grow up, when you can laugh at yourself. Sharon made me laugh a lot and made the work (which was hard) a lot easier."
© AFP via Getty ImagesSharon, meanwhile, has enjoyed a prolific television career well beyond her detective days. From Queer as Folk to Burn Notice, she proved her versatility time and again. She has never forgotten how Cagney & Lacey catapulted her career, however.
"The show changed my life," Sharon told Craig Bennett on Celebrity Drop. "And I'm forever grateful." On her relationship with her co-star Tyne she said while they had great chemistry onscreen, they were too busy filming to become close.
© FilmMagic"I’ll be honest with you, we did not have time to become great friends, but we were very into each other as actors. Now that we have a lot of time to hang out, we are very dear friends," she added.
Now 82, Sharon still exudes Hollywood poise, often appearing at industry events with chic tailoring and the signature blonde locks that have become part of her enduring identity. She has been married to Cagney & Lacey producer Barney Rosenzweig since 1991.
