Backstrom (American TV series)

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,{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2013/03/17/rainn-wilson-to-play-irascible-cop-for-cbs/|title=Rainn Wilson to play irascible cop for CBS|last=Rice|first=Lynette|work=AV News|date=March 17, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2018}} and is part of a team of eccentric criminologists.

• Rainn Wilson{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/rainn-wilson-star-hart-hansons-429307|title=Rainn Wilson to Star in Hart Hanson's 'Backstrom' Adaptation for CBS|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 21, 2014|date=March 17, 2013}} as Detective Lieutenant Everett Backstrom, head of the Special Crimes Unit. Prior to the beginning of the series Backstrom was demoted to Traffic following his racially insensitive outburst after he caught the murderer of six Native Americans.
• Genevieve Angelson as Detective Sergeant Nicole Gravely, Backstrom's second in command. Gravely is a young, idealistic detective who works with Backstrom even though she finds him to be lazy and cynical.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/genevieve-angelson-set-as-female-lead-in-fox-series-backstrom-manhattan-adds-regular-683545/|title=Genevieve Angelson Set As Female Lead In Fox Series 'Backstrom'; Christopher Denham Joins WGN America's 'Manhattan'|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 15, 2014|date=February 14, 2014}} Originally played by Mamie Gummer in the CBS pilot.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mamie-gummer-star-opposite-rainn-430264 "Mamie Gummer to Co-Star Opposite Rainn Wilson in CBS' 'Backstrom'"], The Hollywood Reporter, March 21, 2013.
• Page Kennedy as Officer Frank Moto, member of the Special Crimes Unit, and a former MMA fighter.
• Kristoffer Polaha as Sergeant Peter Niedermayer, the unit's Forensics Liaison. Backstrom frequently mocks him for his New Age beliefs.
• Dennis Haysbert as Detective Sergeant John Almond, a nondenominational minister who has been married for 30 years. In an offhand remark, Gravely mentions to Backstrom that Almond has the highest conviction rate out of any detective in the history of the Portland Police Bureau.
• Beatrice Rosen as Nadia Paquet, a foreign-born civilian who supports the detectives in the Special Crimes Group as a cyberspace expert.
• Thomas Dekker as Gregory Valentine, a former male prostitute who is Backstrom's tenant, decorator and "underworld connection" due to his being a fence for stolen merchandise. Backstrom had previously met Valentine's mother, a prostitute. It is later revealed that Valentine is Backstrom's half-brother.

• Ben Hollingsworth as {{Abbr|ADA|assistant district attorney}} Steve Kines, who previously allowed Gravely to be blamed for a failed undercover operation
• Sarah Chalke as Amy Gazanian, Chair of the Civilian Oversight Committee and Backstrom's ex-fiancée
• Inga Cadranel as Police Chief Anna Cervantes, Backstrom's former (police) partner
• Rizwan Manji as Doctor Deb, a doctor working for the Portland Police Bureau who provisionally clears Backstrom for duty with the caveat that he change his self-destructive lifestyle
• Robert Forster as Sheriff Blue Backstrom, Everett Backstrom's estranged father, who pistol-whipped Everett at a young age. He is Sheriff of Cooch County
• Adam Beach as Tribal Police Captain Jesse Rocha, one of Backstrom's rivals who begins dating Amy Gazanian

{{Episode table |background=#275E76 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |viewers= |country=US |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Dragon Slayer

|DirectedBy = Mark Mylod

|WrittenBy = Hart Hanson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|1|22}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM79

|Viewers = 7.98{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/23/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-mom-backstrom-two-and-a-half-men-bad-judge-adjusted-down/354524/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124010703/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/23/thursday-final-ratings-the-vampire-diaries-mom-backstrom-two-and-a-half-men-bad-judge-adjusted-down/354524/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 24, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Mom', 'Backstrom', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'Bad Judge' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=January 30, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The Special Crimes Unit (SCU) investigate the staged-suicide of a senator's son on a college campus. After scoffing at health risks, Backstrom shoots himself during a raid on a heroin-dealer's club.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Bella

|DirectedBy = Alex Chapple

|WrittenBy = Joe Hortua

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|1|29}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM04

|Viewers = 5.32{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/30/thursday-final-ratings-greys-anatomy-the-big-bang-theory-how-to-get-away-with-murder-adjusted-up/357299/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201200927/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/01/30/thursday-final-ratings-greys-anatomy-the-big-bang-theory-how-to-get-away-with-murder-adjusted-up/357299/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'How to Get Away With Murder' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=January 30, 2015|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=January 30, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = While the SCU pursue a serial arsonist, Backstrom investigates thefts from the scenes of the fires, targeting corrupt firefighters who were his childhood bullies.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Takes One to Know One

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|2|5}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM01

|DirectedBy = Randy Zisk

|WrittenBy = Hart Hanson

|Viewers = 3.64{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/06/thursday-final-ratings-the-blacklist-scandal-greys-anatomy-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-down/360315/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207003127/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/06/thursday-final-ratings-the-blacklist-scandal-greys-anatomy-the-vampire-diaries-adjusted-down/360315/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 7, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Blacklist', 'Scandal', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=February 6, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU work a high-profile murder at the cultish Church of Edification. Backstrom's ex-fiancée, new head of the civilian oversight committee, begins looking into the shooting; Backstrom tells his doctor the truth of it to get sleeping pills.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = I Am a Bird Now

|DirectedBy = David Boyd

|WrittenBy = Karyn Usher

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|2|12}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM02

|Viewers = 4.39{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/13/thursday-final-ratings-backstrom-adjusted-down-no-adjustment-to-the-blacklist-scandal-or-the-vampire-diaries/362826/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214004417/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/13/thursday-final-ratings-backstrom-adjusted-down-no-adjustment-to-the-blacklist-scandal-or-the-vampire-diaries/362826/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'Backstrom' Adjusted Down, No Adjustment to 'The Blacklist', 'Scandal' or 'The Vampire Diaries'|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|date=February 13, 2015|work=TV by the Numbers|access-date=February 13, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU investigate the murder of a cross-dresser; Valentine is one of the suspects. Backstrom is called to testify to the Civilian Oversight Committee, and Moto considers perjuring himself to corroborate Backstrom's story.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Bogeyman

|DirectedBy = Jeff Woolnough

|WrittenBy = Eli Attie & Hart Hanson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|2|19}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM07

|Viewers = 3.54{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/20/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-scandal-two-and-a-half-men-how-to-get-away-with-murder-adjusted-up/365727/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221011941/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/20/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-scandal-two-and-a-half-men-how-to-get-away-with-murder-adjusted-up/365727/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Scandal', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'How To Get Away With Murder' Adjusted Up|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU race to find a missing girl, Backstrom suspecting a predator from seven years earlier. Valentine offers insight from his own abduction. Almond's church faces eviction.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Ancient, Chinese, Secret

|DirectedBy = Sarah Pia Anderson

|WrittenBy = Thomas Wong

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|2|26}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM10

|Viewers = 3.81{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/27/thursday-final-ratings-the-blacklist-american-idol-adjusted-up/368251/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301114419/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/27/thursday-final-ratings-the-blacklist-american-idol-adjusted-up/368251/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 1, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Blacklist' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=February 27, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU pursue the killer of a Chinatown fortune-teller who was involved in a gambling den. Niedermayer grows closer to Paquet, who is in a witness protection program.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Enemy of My Enemies

|DirectedBy = Jace Alexander

|WrittenBy = Andrew Miller

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|3|5}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM03

|Viewers = 3.90{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/06/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-blacklist-adjusted-up/371969/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308114705/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/06/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-idol-the-blacklist-adjusted-up/371969/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol' & 'The Blacklist' Adjusted Up|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=March 6, 2015|access-date=March 6, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU hunt for an activist linked to a deadly pipeline bombing. Sheriff Blue Backstrom is also working the case, and Backstrom is determined to beat him to the arrest.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Give 'Til It Hurts

|DirectedBy = Rob Hardy

|WrittenBy = Karine Rosenthal

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|3|26}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM06

|Viewers = 3.58{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/27/thursday-final-ratings-american-crime-adjusted-up-final-basketball-ratings/380246/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330002337/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/03/27/thursday-final-ratings-american-crime-adjusted-up-final-basketball-ratings/380246/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Crime' Adjusted Up + Final Basketball Ratings|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=March 27, 2015|access-date=March 27, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = While investigating the murder of a wealthy woman, the SCU go undercover at a black-tie charity gala. Backstrom's ex tries to inspire him with a 30-day {{Abbr|AA|Alcoholics Anonymous}} chip, which he uses to fool Dr Deb.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = The Inescapable Truth

|DirectedBy = Michael Offer

|WrittenBy = Eli Attie

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|2}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM05

|Viewers = 3.16{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up/384205/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407002154/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/03/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up/384205/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 3, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU investigate the death of a drug-addict musician by one of his bandmates. He was a material witness for Kines, who previously let Gravely take the blame for a failed undercover operation. Backstrom feels a familial connection to Valentine.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Love Is a Rose and You Better Not Pick It

|DirectedBy = Kevin Hooks

|WrittenBy = Joe Hortua

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|9}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM08

|Viewers = 3.29{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/10/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-and-bones-adjusted-up-dateline-adjusted-down/387123/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413082501/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/10/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-and-bones-adjusted-up-dateline-adjusted-down/387123/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Bones' Adjusted Up; 'Dateline' Adjusted Down|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 10, 2015|access-date=April 11, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = The SCU investigate the murder of a sex surrogate in a city rose garden. Backstrom is confronted with his own intimacy issues, and the circumstances of his mother's death.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|Title = I Like to Watch

|DirectedBy = Adam Arkin

|WrittenBy = Karine Rosenthal

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|16}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM09

|Viewers = 3.39{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/17/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-odd-couple-reign-adjusted-down/390832/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418014846/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/17/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-odd-couple-reign-adjusted-down/390832/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 18, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Backstrom' Adjusted Up; 'The Odd Couple' & 'Reign' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 17, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = A transgressive artist is killed, having planned to fake his death in a performance. Backstrom connects with another artist who is living in a bubble.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|Title = Corkscrewed

|DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

|WrittenBy = Andrew Miller

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|23}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM12

|Viewers = 3.00{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/24/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-blacklist-adjusted-up/393768/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427221025/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/24/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-the-blacklist-adjusted-up/393768/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'The Blacklist' Adjusted Up|last=Kondolojy|first=Amanda|work=TV by the Numbers|date=April 24, 2015|access-date=April 24, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = A criminal is killed outside the barge, throwing suspicion on both Backstrom and Valentine. The SCU investigate a wine-smuggling operation which takes them from river rats to the Governors Club. Backstrom learns his ex is dating his rival.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|Title = Rock Bottom

|DirectedBy = Kevin Hooks

|WrittenBy = Hart Hanson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|30}}

|ProdCode = 1AWM11

|Viewers = 2.80{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-crime-adjusted-down/397943/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504023704/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/01/thursday-final-ratings-the-big-bang-theory-american-crime-adjusted-down/397943/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2015|title=Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Bones' Adjusted Up; 'American Crime' Adjusted Down|last=Bibel|first=Sara|work=TV by the Numbers|date=May 1, 2015|access-date=May 1, 2015}}

|ShortSummary = Backstrom works with Captain Rocha (Adam Beach) in pursuit of a murderous meth dealer, to get his father on corruption charges, and save his career in light of Dr Deb's medical report. Coming to certain resolutions, the series concludes with Backstrom attending a 12-step program.

|LineColor = 275E76

}}

}}

In July 2012, CBS greenlit a pilot episode to be produced for Backstrom.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/backstrom-crime-drama-cbs-hart-hanson-20th-century-fox-tv-309451/|title='Backstrom' Crime Drama From 'Bones' Creator Hart Hanson And 20th TV Gets Pilot Production Commitment At CBS|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 21, 2014|date=July 30, 2012}} The pilot for the series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.{{cite web|url=http://yvrshoots.com/2013/03/shoot-rainn-wilson-dennis-haysbert-film-cbs-pilot-backstrom-in-downtown-vancouver-alley.html|title=SHOOT: Rainn Wilson & Dennis Haysbert Film CBS Pilot BACKSTROM in Downtown Vancouver Alley|publisher=yvrshoots.com|access-date=January 21, 2014|date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=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|url-status=dead}}

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. 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2015/01/22/tv-show-set-in-the-other-portland-tips-its-hat-to-sea-dog|title=TV Show Set in the Other Portland Tips it's Hat to Sea Dog|publisher=Portland Press Herald|access-date=January 23, 2015|date=January 22, 2015}}

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, "Backstrom{{'}}s humor is a cop-out, availed little by the talented cast's attempt to make good of sloppy schtick."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/backstrom/s01/|title=Backstrom: Season 1|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher= Flixster|access-date=July 5, 2019}} On Metacritic, the show has a score of 51 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/backstrom|title=Backstrom: Season 1|publisher=CBS, Metacritic|access-date=February 3, 2014}}

A Swedish-language version was created in 2020 and currently (2024) has 3 seasons.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10068932/ {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=August 2022}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.fox.com/backstrom}}
• {{IMDb title|2099034|Backstrom}}

{{Leif G. W. Persson}}

Category:2010s American comedy-drama television series

Category:2010s American crime drama television series

Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related comedy television series

Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related drama television series

Category:2010s American police comedy television series

Category:2015 American television series debuts

Category:2015 American television series endings

Category:Fictional portrayals of the Portland Police Bureau

Category:Fox Broadcasting Company comedy-dramas

Category:Television shows based on Swedish novels

Category:Television series by 20th Century Fox Television

Category:Television shows set in Oregon

Category:Television shows set in Portland, Oregon

Category:Television shows filmed in Vancouver