Backstrom (American TV series) explained

Developer:Hart Hanson
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:13
Producer:Rainn Wilson
Runtime:43 minutes
Network:Fox

Backstrom is an American crime comedy-drama television series that aired from January 22 through April 30, 2015. It was developed by Hart Hanson based on the Swedish book series by Leif G. W. Persson.[1] The series is set in Portland, Oregon and filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia. On May 8, 2015, Fox cancelled the series after one season.[2]

Premise

Backstrom centers on Everett Backstrom (Rainn Wilson), an "overweight, offensive, irascible" police officer who is engaged in a constant struggle with his "self-destructive" tendencies,[3] and is part of a team of eccentric criminologists.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring

Production

In July 2012, CBS greenlit a pilot episode to be produced for Backstrom.[7] The pilot for the series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[8]

When CBS passed on the pilot, 20th Century Fox Television shopped it around to other networks before landing a 13-episode series order with their own network, Fox.[1] For the pilot episode, the producers contacted Minor League Baseball team Portland Sea Dogs to use their hat with their logo for the family fishing boat business.[9]

Reception

Backstrom has been met with mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a rating of 37%, based on 41 reviews, with an average rating of 4.78/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Backstroms humor is a cop-out, availed little by the talented cast's attempt to make good of sloppy schtick."[10] On Metacritic, the show has a score of 51 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".[11]

Other adaptations

A Swedish-language version was created in 2020 and currently (2024) has 3 seasons.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FOX Cracks the Case with Hart Hanson's New Crime Drama "Backstrom". The Futon Critic. January 21, 2014. January 7, 2014.
  2. Web site: Fox Cancels The Following: Find Out Which Other Shows Are Dead. Bricker. Tierney. E! Online. May 8, 2015. May 8, 2015.
  3. Web site: Rainn Wilson to play irascible cop for CBS. Rice. Lynette. AV News. March 17, 2013. October 4, 2018.
  4. Web site: Rainn Wilson to Star in Hart Hanson's 'Backstrom' Adaptation for CBS. Goldberg. Lesley. The Hollywood Reporter. January 21, 2014. March 17, 2013.
  5. Web site: Genevieve Angelson Set As Female Lead In Fox Series 'Backstrom'; Christopher Denham Joins WGN America's 'Manhattan'. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline.com. February 15, 2014. February 14, 2014.
  6. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mamie-gummer-star-opposite-rainn-430264 "Mamie Gummer to Co-Star Opposite Rainn Wilson in CBS' 'Backstrom'"
  7. Web site: 'Backstrom' Crime Drama From 'Bones' Creator Hart Hanson And 20th TV Gets Pilot Production Commitment At CBS. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline.com. January 21, 2014. July 30, 2012.
  8. Web site: SHOOT: Rainn Wilson & Dennis Haysbert Film CBS Pilot BACKSTROM in Downtown Vancouver Alley. yvrshoots.com. January 21, 2014. March 28, 2013. March 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150315062635/http://yvrshoots.com/2013/03/shoot-rainn-wilson-dennis-haysbert-film-cbs-pilot-backstrom-in-downtown-vancouver-alley.html. dead.
  9. Web site: TV Show Set in the Other Portland Tips it's Hat to Sea Dog. Portland Press Herald. January 23, 2015. January 22, 2015.
  10. Web site: Backstrom: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. July 5, 2019.
  11. Web site: Backstrom: Season 1. CBS, Metacritic. February 3, 2014.
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10068932/