The Red Line (TV series)
{{short description|American television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = The_red_line.png
| caption =
| genre = Drama
| creator = {{Plain list|
- Caitlin Parrish
- Erica Weiss
}}
| starring = {{Plain list|
- Noah Wyle
- Noel Fisher
- Michael Patrick Thornton
- Aliyah Royale
- Vinny Chhibber
- Emayatzy Corinealdi
- Howard Charles
}}
| composer = {{Plain list|
- Blake Neely
- Sherri Chung
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 8
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plain list|
- Caitlin Parrish
- Erica Weiss
- Sunil Nayar
- Ava DuVernay
- Greg Berlanti
- Sarah Schechter
}}
| producer =
| cinematography =
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 42 minutes
| company = {{Plain list|
- Berlanti Productions
- Array Filmworks
- Forward Movement
- CBS Television Studios
- Warner Bros. Television
}}
| network = CBS
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|4|28}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2019|5|19}}
}}
The Red Line is an American drama limited television series created and written by Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss which premiered on CBS on April 28 and concluded on May 19, 2019.{{cite web|title=The TVLine-Up: What's Leaving, New and Returning the Week of May 19|url=https://tvline.com/2019/05/18/tv-schedule-what-to-watch-kids-are-alright-cancelled/|work=TVLine|date=May 18, 2019}}
It stars Noah Wyle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Aliyah Royale, Noel Fisher, Michael Patrick Thornton, Vinny Chhibber, Howard Charles and Elizabeth Laidlaw. The title refers to a rapid transit line in Chicago, Illinois run by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) as part of the city's "L" system.
Premise
In "The Red Line," the storyline centers on a Chicago police officer of Caucasian descent who shoots and kills an African American doctor. The narrative explores the lives of three families intertwined with the case:
The first family consists of the victim's husband and their adopted daughter. The second family involves the birth mother of the adopted daughter, who is running for city council and is married with a young son. The third family is that of the police officer, whose brother is a former police officer with a disability, and whose father is a retired police captain.
Cast and characters
- Noah Wyle as Daniel Calder, a high school teacher whose husband, Harrison Brennan, is mistakenly shot by a Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer
- Noel Fisher as CPD Officer Paul Evans
- Michael Patrick Thornton as Jim Evans, Paul's paraplegic brother and former CPD officer
- Aliyah Royale as Jira Calder-Brennan, Daniel and Harrison's adopted teenage daughter
- Vinny Chhibber as Liam, Jira's literature teacher, Daniel's colleague and emerging love interest
- Emayatzy Corinealdi as Tia Young, Jira's birth mother, campaigning against the CPD's responsibility for the city's nearly 600 annual murders
- Howard Charles as Ethan Young, Tia's husband, a motorman on the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated Red Line
- Elizabeth Laidlaw as Victoria “Vic” Renna, Paul's police partner
- Enuka Okuma as Suzanne Davis, Tia's sister and campaign manager
- Glynn Turman as Nathan Gordon, incumbent alderman and Tia's opponent
Episodes
{{Episode table|background=#FB6464|overall=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|airdateR=|viewers=|country=U.S.|prodcode=|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = We Must All Care
|DirectedBy = Victoria Mahoney
|WrittenBy = Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|4|28}}
|ProdCode = T33.01004
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = We Are Each Other's Harvest
|DirectedBy = Kevin Hooks
|WrittenBy = Shernold Edwards
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|4|28}}
|ProdCode = T33.10302
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = For We Meet by One or the Other
|DirectedBy = Aurora Guerrero
|WrittenBy = Sue Chung
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|5}}
|ProdCode = T33.10303
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = We Need Glory for a While
|DirectedBy = Matthew A. Cherry
|WrittenBy = Aaron Carter
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|5}}
|ProdCode = T33.10304
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = One Day We May Be More Than a Body
|DirectedBy = Sheelin Choksey
|WrittenBy = Fawzia Mirza
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|12}}
|ProdCode = T33.10305
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = We Turn Up This Music Louder Than a Mother's Cry
|DirectedBy = Kevin Hooks
|WrittenBy = Brendan Kelly
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|12}}
|ProdCode = T33.10306
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = I Must Tell You What We Have Inherited
|DirectedBy = DeMane Davis
|WrittenBy = Sunil Nayar
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|19}}
|ProdCode = T33.10307
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = This Victory Alone Is Not the Change We Seek
|DirectedBy = Thomas Carter
|WrittenBy = Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|5|19}}
|ProdCode = T33.10308
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = FB6464
}}
}}
Production
= Development =
On February 5, 2018, it was announced that CBS had given the production a put pilot commitment after multiple networks had shown interest. The pilot was written by both Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss who was expected to executive produce alongside Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti. Production companies involved with the pilot were slated to consist of Berlanti Productions, Array Filmworks, CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/la-confidential-eric-holder-inspired-main-justice-ava-duvernay-greg-berlantis-red-line-4-cbs-drama-pilots-1202277530/|title='L.A. Confidential', Eric Holder-Inspired 'Main Justice' Among 4 CBS Drama Pilots From Top Producers|access-date=May 21, 2019|date=February 2, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}} On March 1, 2018, it was announced that Victoria Mahoney would direct the pilot.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/red-line-noel-fisher-michael-patrick-thornton-cast-cbs-drama-pilot-1202307559/|title='Red Line': Noel Fisher & Michael Patrick Thornton Cast In CBS Drama Pilot|last=Petski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 1, 2018|accessdate=March 1, 2018}} On May 11, 2018, it was announced that CBS had given the production a series order.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/magnum-pi-god-friended-me-the-code-the-red-line-dramas-cbs-series-orders-1202388639/|title='Magnum P.I.', 'God Friended Me' & 'The Red Line' Dramas Get CBS Series Orders|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|access-date=May 11, 2018|date=May 11, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}} A few days later, it was announced that the series would premiere in the spring of 2019 as a mid-season replacement.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/the-code-the-red-line-ransom-drama-series-midseason-premiere-dates-cbs-1202535474/|title='The Code', 'The Red Line', 'Ransom' Drama Series Get Midseason Premiere Dates On CBS|last=Petski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 15, 2019|accessdate=January 15, 2019}}
On June 7, 2019, CBS announced that The Red Line would not return for another season.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/the-red-line-canceled-cbs-after-1-season-1202607192/|title='The Red Line' Canceled By CBS After One Season|last=Petski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 7, 2019|accessdate=June 8, 2019}}
= Casting =
In February 2018, it was announced that Noel Fisher, Michael Patrick Thornton, Noah Wyle, Vinny Chhibber, Howard Charles and Elizabeth Laidlaw had joined the pilot's main cast.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/noah-wyle-cast-cbs-pilot-red-line-ava-duvernay-greg-berlanti-1202312484/|title=Noah Wyle To Topline CBS Pilot 'Red Line' From Ava DuVernay & Greg Berlanti|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 6, 2018|accessdate=March 6, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/christine-ko-cw-dead-inside-vinny-chhibber-cbs-red-line-1202320970/|title=Christine Ko Joins CW's 'Dead Inside'; Vinny Chhibber In CBS' 'Red Line'|last=Petski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 8, 2018|accessdate=March 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/red-line-howard-charles-elizabeth-laidlaw-cbs-drama-pilot-1202326551/|title='Red Line': Howard Charles & Elizabeth Laidlaw Joins CBS Drama Pilot|last=Petski|first=Denise|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 9, 2018|accessdate=March 9, 2018}}
Reception
=Critical response=
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 72% based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "If not always graceful, The Red Line is never less than empathetic, effectively applying tried and true storytelling techniques in its attempts to untangle complicated cultural issues."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_red_line/s01|title=The Red Line: Season 1 (2019)|publisher=Fandango Media|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=June 18, 2019}} On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-red-line|title=The Red Line: Season 1|publisher=CBS|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 30, 2019}}
=Ratings=
{{Television episode ratings
| title1 = We Must All Care
| date1 = April 28, 2019
| rs1 = 0.4/2
| dvr1 = 0.2
| dvrv1 = 1.09
| total1 = 0.6
| totalv1 = 5.89{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/live7-ratings-for-week-of-april-22-canceled-whiskey-cavalier-among-biggest-gainers-1203213689/|title=Live+7 Ratings for Week of April 22: Canceled 'Whiskey Cavalier' Among Biggest Gainers|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=May 13, 2019|work=Variety|accessdate=May 13, 2019}}
| title2 = We Are Each Other's Harvest
| date2 = April 28, 2019
| rs2 = 0.4/2
| dvr2 = 0.2
| dvrv2 = 1.09
| total2 = 0.6
| title3 = For We Meet by One or the Other
| date3 = May 5, 2019
| rs3 = 0.4/2
| dvr3 =
| dvrv3 =
| total3 =
| totalv3 =
| title4 = We Need Glory for a While
| date4 = May 5, 2019
| rs4 = 0.4/2
| dvr4 =
| dvrv4 =
| total4 =
| totalv4 =
| title5 = One Day We May Be More Than a Body
| date5 = May 12, 2019
| rs5 = 0.3/2
| dvr5 = 0.2
| dvrv5 = 0.91
| total5 = 0.5
| totalv5 = 4.38{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/live7-ratings-for-week-of-may-6-agents-of-shield-premiere-sees-solid-gain-1203226802/|title=Live+7 Ratings for Week of May 6: 'Agents of SHIELD' Premiere Sees Solid Gain|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=May 28, 2019|work=Variety|accessdate=May 28, 2019}}
| title6 = We Turn Up This Music Louder Than a Mother's Cry
| date6 = May 12, 2019
| rs6 = 0.3/2
| dvr6 = 0.2
| dvrv6 = 0.91
| total6 = 0.5
| title7 = I Must Tell You What We Have Inherited
| date7 = May 19, 2019
| rs7 = 0.3/1
| dvr7 = 0.1
| dvrv7 = 0.89
| total7 = 0.4
| title8 = This Victory Alone Is Not the Change We Seek
| date8 = May 19, 2019
| rs8 = 0.3/1
| dvr8 = 0.1
| dvrv8 = 0.89
| total8 = 0.4
| totalv8 = 4.13{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/live7-ratings-week-of-may-13-big-bang-theory-finale-1203231770/|title=Live+7 Ratings for Week of May 13: 'Big Bang Theory' Finale Hits 24 Million Viewers|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=June 3, 2019|work=Variety|accessdate=June 3, 2019}}
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Television}}
- {{Official website|https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-red-line/}}
- {{IMDb title|tt9564862}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Line (TV series), The}}
Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related drama television series
Category:2010s American drama television series
Category:2019 American television series debuts
Category:2019 American television series endings
Category:CBS original programming
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television series by CBS Studios
Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios
Category:Television shows set in Chicago