Trivia Cafe
7

This television show won the Emmy Award as best Dramatic Series in 1986; the show's title was named after two women. What was the name of the series?

Learn More

entertainment

The 1980s police drama *Cagney & Lacey* broke new ground by focusing on the professional and personal lives of two female NYPD detectives. The series title refers to its main characters, the career-driven Christine Cagney (played by Sharon Gless) and her partner, the working mother Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daly). In 1986, the show's critical acclaim culminated in its highest honor when it won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, cementing its place in television history.

The show's Emmy success was not limited to that single win. The lead actresses completely dominated their category for six consecutive years in a remarkable and unprecedented streak. From 1983 to 1988, the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series went to one of the show's stars, with Tyne Daly winning four times and Sharon Gless winning the other two. This incredible run highlighted the powerful performances that were the heart and soul of the series.

More than a simple police procedural, *Cagney & Lacey* was celebrated for its realistic portrayal of female friendship and the challenges women faced in a male-dominated profession. The series delved into complex social issues and storylines that were often seen from the distinct perspectives of its two lead characters, making it a landmark program that influenced many dramas that followed.