Network: BBC America
Episodes: 23 (hour)
Seasons: Two
TV show dates: August 19, 2012 — September 22, 2013
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Tom Weston-Jones, Kyle Schmid, Ato Essandoh, Tessa Thompson, Kevin Ryan, Tanya Fischer, Dylan Taylor, Ron White, David Keeley, Franka Potente, Anastasia Griffith, and Kiara Glasco.
TV show description:
This crime drama TV series is set in 1864 in New York City and is filled with intrigue, corruption, mystery and murder.
Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones) is an Irish-American former boxer who became a police detective. He returns from the Civil War to find that his wife is missing and his daughter is dead. Corcoran struggles to walk a straight line in New York City’s notoriously crooked Five Points neighborhood. Desperate to learn the truth about what happened to his family, he dedicates himself to seeking justice for the powerless and overlooked. He also finds himself thrust into the contrasting worlds of elegant and corrupt Fifth Avenue, and the emerging African-American community in Northern Manhattan.
Corcoran shares a secret from the battlefield with Robert Morehouse and Doctor Matthew Freeman that inextricably links their lives together. As he did in the Union Army, Corcoran proves intelligent, valiant and tenacious — stopping at nothing to bring those responsible to justice.
A handsome bon vivant and part of the Manhattan aristocracy, Robert Morehouse (Kyle Schmid) and Corcoran were mustered out of the 71st Regiment together. Though raised in a life of privilege, Morehouse was changed by the war and now sees the lower class as his equals — much to his father’s dismay. Spending more time drinking and cavorting with prostitutes than making a name for himself in the business world, Morehouse consistently falls short of his dad’s expectations.
An African-American physician, Doctor Matthew Freeman (Ato Essandoh) was Morehouse’s valet during the Civil War. When called upon, Freeman now assists Corcoran in murder investigations though receives no credit for his contribution. Freeman practices modern scientific methods of deduction, but precinct superiors believe this to be Corcoran’s work and he doesn’t tell them otherwise.
Freeman is devoted to his wife Sara (Tessa Thompson) whose two brothers were lynched during the Draft Riots. She’s left emotionally scarred, refuses to leave her house, and convinces her husband to leave Five Points in hopes of finding security in the African-American community of Carmansville in Northern Manhattan.
Detective Francis Maguire (Kevin Ryan) is Corcoran’s closest friend and his partner in the Sixth Precinct. Maguire assists Corcoran in his search for his missing wife, as well as in navigating the underground criminal world of Five Points. Though he cares deeply for those closest to him, Maguire possesses a quick temper and occasionally loses control. Enamored with Molly Stuart (Tanya Fischer), Maguire harbors a desire to settle down and marry the ambitious courtesan.
Flirtatious and beautiful, Molly works at at Eva’s Paradise and entertains several gentlemen from both Uptown and Five Points. Her big heart and free-spirited nature can embroil her in others’ affairs and, despite her taboo career choice, Molly possesses a deep sense of right and wrong.
Detective Andrew O’Brien (Dylan Taylor) is a colleague and companion to Corcoran and Maguire. Often teased about his acquiescence to his overbearing wife, he is fiercely loyal to his family and friends.
Captain of the Sixth Precinct, Ciaran Joseph Sullivan (Ron White) is more concerned about his reputation in the public eye than seeking justice for victims. Sullivan questions how the kingpins of New York society will be affected by the results of the tenacious Corcoran’s investigations.
Sergeant Padraic Byrnes (David Keeley) is a corrupt cop within the ranks of the Sixth Precinct and takes delight in thwarting Corcoran. He plays both sides of the law by manipulating Captain Sullivan as well as victims and criminals.
With a saloon and brothel located in the center of Five Points, Eva Heissen (Franka Potente), the Madame of Eva’s Paradise, is a shrewd businesswoman. A long list of patrons — including many coppers from the Sixth Precinct — help Eva maintain control over her employees with stern precision. Despite her tough-as-nails exterior, she shows her gentler side when she is with Corcoran — who finds comfort in Eva’s arms while his heart yearns for his missing wife.
Sophisticated, spirited and intoxicatingly beautiful, Elizabeth Haverford (Anastasia Griffith) is more than a mindless debutante. Far more business-savvy and politically astute than the other society ladies of Fifth Avenue, Elizabeth seeks to use her wealth and influence to improve the lives of others -– despite how it’s perceived by the rest of New York’s upper class. Though she meets Corcoran under horrific circumstances, Elizabeth enjoys his companionship and protection.
A young runaway who is growing up quickly, Annie Reilly (Kiara Glasco) is forced into prostitution to survive. After a memorable encounter with Corcoran, she becomes deeply attached as he endeavors to protect her from danger. Whip-smart with a predilection for mischief, Annie reminds Corcoran of his own daughter, and he goes out of his way to try to introduce her to a better life.
Episode #23 — “The Place I Called My Home”
In the wake of the President’s death, Detective Kevin Corcoran reels like the rest of the country. As Corcoran mourns with Robert Morehouse and Doctor Matthew Freeman, the three men decide to join a national effort once more. For the three friends, the mission elicits memories from the battlefield, resurfaces faces from the past, and creates opportunity for Five Points chaos to continue unabated.
First aired: September 22, 2013
What do you think? Do you like the Copper TV series? Are you sorry that there won’t be a third season?
I can’t believe BBC America canceled Cooper! This show had depth! It was interesting to see what life was like back then. Other shows run for a certain number of seasons. Maybe BBC can do this for Cooper. I’ll truly miss this show and hope something can be done to get it back on.
Such a great show. Cancel one of your comedies that isn’t funny and bring back
Cochran. I never missed a show. Please, please, please, renew this series.
I loved this series! I’ve even bought the DVDs. Couldn’t Honey Boo Boo get cancelled instead? Damn!
I loved Copper. It broght to life life in old day. I’d like to see another season
My husband and I love this show! Any chance it can still be picked up?
love the show, would love to see it cotinue,
but it seems most people want thier “reality” tv
I real shame this got cancelled. I was looking forward to Season Three. The series is/was a great companion piece to “Gangs of New York.” Maybe they could at least come back with a TV movie and wrap up a the main story lines.
My husband and I loved this show with all it’s interesting characters and stories. A two hour movie to wrap up the stories would be great. I want to know what happen to Eva and her unborn child!!!
Love this show! Can’t believe they keep canceling all the good shows and keep all the garbage. Please bring it back
We loved this show, so sad it was cancelled.
What the. Why cancel a great show like this and keep crap like the bachelor Hollywood is losing it
And even WORST THEN THAT the keep Honey Boo Boo. Trash TV! Bring back Copper!
The best show on TV ,what a tremendous loss!!! It was really getting good, very sad
Sad it is not coming back love it…good things always get the short draw.
loved the 2 seasons. would love to see it back.
They must bring this show back, it’s wonderful!
I can’t believe Copper has been cancelled. I loved to watch this show and would hope BBC would reconsider bringing it back. There are so many reality shows on its unreal, but this period show is wonderful.
This was a very good fictional “period-show” that should be renewed! DO NOT CANCEL!