Cold Case

Watch Cold Case

  • TV-14
  • 2009
  • 7 Seasons
  • 7.6  (29,199)

Cold Case is a crime drama series that aired on CBS from 2003-2010. The show starred Kathryn Morris as Philadelphia detective Lilly Rush, who specializes in investigating unsolved homicides, known as "cold cases." Alongside Morris, the show had a strong ensemble cast that included Justin Chambers, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Barry, Danny Pino, and Tracie Thoms, among others. Each episode of Cold Case followed a similar structure, with Lilly and her team reopening a cold case from the past. Using a combination of old evidence, new technologies, and witness statements, they would re-examine the case and try to uncover the truth about what happened. The show was notable for blending the present-day investigation with flashbacks of the crime itself, giving viewers a fuller picture of the events that led to the victim's death. One of the strengths of Cold Case was its ability to tackle a wide variety of cases. While some episodes focused on high-profile murders or notorious serial killers, others delved into more personal stories about everyday people whose deaths went unsolved for years. The show explored themes such as family, love, loss, and justice, and often touched on issues related to race, class, and gender. At the heart of the show was Kathryn Morris's portrayal of Lilly Rush. Lilly was a complex and compelling character, driven by a need to solve these cases and bring closure to the victims' families. Morris played her with a toughness and vulnerability that made her both relatable and admirable, and her relationships with the other characters on the show added depth to her character. In addition to Morris, the other actors on the show were also strong performers. John Finn, who played Lt. John Stillman, was Lilly's boss and a veteran of the department. Finn brought a gruff but compassionate presence to the role and had some of the show's most emotional moments. Jeremy Ratchford played detective Nick Vera, a tough, no-nonsense cop with a strong moral code. Danny Pino, who joined the show in its third season, played detective Scotty Valens, a former narcotics officer who brings a fresh perspective to the team. Cold Case was also notable for its use of music. Each episode featured a soundtrack of classic songs from the time period in which the crime took place, creating a nostalgic and atmospheric mood. The show's theme song, "Nara" by E.S. Posthumus, became iconic and evocative of the show's themes. Overall, Cold Case was a strong and compelling crime drama that blended complex characters, emotional storylines, and innovative storytelling techniques. The show's ability to explore a wide variety of cases and themes kept it fresh and engaging throughout its seven-season run, and its talented cast of actors made it a must-watch for fans of crime drama. In conclusion, Cold Case was a show that tackled a variety of cases while still maintaining themes of family, love, loss, justice, race, class, and gender. Led by a strong performance by Kathryn Morris, alongside a talented ensemble cast, the show was both emotional and innovative in its storytelling approach. With its use of classic music and dedication to finding closure for victims' families, Cold Case will always be remembered as a standout crime drama.

Cold Case
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Seasons
Shattered
22. Shattered
May 2, 2010
Valens partners with Rush to locate her sister, who was abducted from her drug-littered motel room, and Jeffries tries to bring justice and closure to a long-suffering mother whose daughter's murder case has remained unsolved for 17 years.
Almost Paradise
21. Almost Paradise
May 2, 2010
The team investigates the 1989 case of a prom queen who may have been intentionally killed in a hit-and-run; Rush tries to ignore her father's requests to give her sister (Nicki Aycox) another chance.
Free Love
20. Free Love
April 11, 2010
Rush and FBI agent Ryan Cavanaugh discover their attraction for one another while investigating the 1969 murder of a GI at Woodstock, and Vera helps his married ex-girlfriend, Megan, after sentimental jewelry is stolen from her home.
Bullet (2)
19. Bullet (2)
April 4, 2010
After determining the serial killer's identity - and some of his likely future targets - the team and the FBI work together to apprehend him while trying to locate and protect the people he's preparing to kill
The Last Drive-In (1)
18. The Last Drive-In (1)
March 28, 2010
When ballistics tie a recent murder case of Rush's to a serial killer who was seemingly inactive for 27 years, a tough FBI agent with ties to Stillman shows up to enlist the team's aid in finding the killer who has eluded her for 30 years.
Flashover
17. Flashover
March 21, 2010
At the same time that Det. Nick Vera goes missing, the team investigates the 2006 arson case.
One Fall
16. One Fall
March 14, 2010
The team reopens the case of a dock worker who was moonlighting as an indy-circuit wrestler until he was shot dead in 1986, and Valens secretly looks into a lead on the man who mugged and raped his mother.
Two Weddings
15. Two Weddings
February 28, 2010
At a colleague's wedding, Det. Jeffries convinces the rest team to re-open the 2008 death of the bride's previous fiance.
Metamorphosis
14. Metamorphosis
February 21, 2010
When new evidence of potential foul play emerges, the team re-opens the 1971 case of a teenage circus aerialist who fell to her death while performing a dangerous new act.
Bombers
13. Bombers
February 14, 2010
The team investigates 1983 murder of a graffiti artist who died from a fatal dose of paint.
The Runaway Bunny
12. The Runaway Bunny
January 17, 2010
The team re-opens the 1974 case of a murdered private investigator.
The Good Soldier
11. The Good Soldier
January 10, 2010
The team re-investigates the 2005 murder of a Green Beret recruiter who was suspected of being a jewelry thief when his former subordinate presents compelling evidence for his innocence.
Iced
10. Iced
December 13, 2009
The team investigates the 1980 case of the murder of an ice hockey player, who was killed on his team's Philly ice rink the same night the U.S. hockey team had beaten the Soviet Union in the Olympic games in Lake Placid.
Forensics
9. Forensics
December 6, 2009
The team re-opens the 1999 case of a high school debate champion whose death was originally ruled as a suicide.
Chinatown
8. Chinatown
November 22, 2009
The team re-investigates Lt. Stillman's cold case from 1983, the death of a Chinese-American teen whose girlfriend had been killed by Chinese gang members only three months earlier.
Read Between the Lines
7. Read Between the Lines
November 15, 2009
The team explores the 1991 case of a 14-year-old girl who died after being sent to a new foster family and was poised to be an upcoming rap music star.
Dead Heat
6. Dead Heat
November 8, 2009
The team re-opens the 1986 death of a jockey when his remains are found buried with horses.
WASP
5. WASP
November 1, 2009
The team re-opens the 1944 case of a female pilot who was part of a civilian program to aid the Air Force during World War II.
Soul
4. Soul
October 25, 2009
The death of a musician in 1970 is investigated, and the musician was trying to keep his involvement with a Philadelphia Soul scene a secret from his father. Meanwhile, Lilly talks with her step-brother Finn, who is a teenager.
Jurisprudence
3. Jurisprudence
October 11, 2009
The team re-investigates the 2004 death of a teen-aged boy who was wrongly sent to a a juvenile detention center.
Hoodrats
2. Hoodrats
October 4, 2009
The 1995 murder of an unidentified runaway is reopened when his brother presents proof of his identity.
The Crossing
1. The Crossing
September 27, 2009
The 1966 case of woman believed lost at sea due to suicide is reopened when her remains are discovered. Meanwhile the trial of the man who attempted to kill Detective Rush begins.
Bullet
719. Bullet
April 4, 2010
In the conclusion of this two-part episode, after determining the serial killer's identity -- and some of his likely future targets -- the team and the FBI work together to apprehend him while trying to locate and protect the people he's preparing to kill. Recurring guest star SUSANNA THOMPSON appears as FBI agent Diane Yates.
Description

Cold Case is a crime drama series that aired on CBS from 2003-2010. The show starred Kathryn Morris as Philadelphia detective Lilly Rush, who specializes in investigating unsolved homicides, known as "cold cases." Alongside Morris, the show had a strong ensemble cast that included Justin Chambers, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford, Thom Barry, Danny Pino, and Tracie Thoms, among others.

Each episode of Cold Case followed a similar structure, with Lilly and her team reopening a cold case from the past. Using a combination of old evidence, new technologies, and witness statements, they would re-examine the case and try to uncover the truth about what happened. The show was notable for blending the present-day investigation with flashbacks of the crime itself, giving viewers a fuller picture of the events that led to the victim's death.

One of the strengths of Cold Case was its ability to tackle a wide variety of cases. While some episodes focused on high-profile murders or notorious serial killers, others delved into more personal stories about everyday people whose deaths went unsolved for years. The show explored themes such as family, love, loss, and justice, and often touched on issues related to race, class, and gender.

At the heart of the show was Kathryn Morris's portrayal of Lilly Rush. Lilly was a complex and compelling character, driven by a need to solve these cases and bring closure to the victims' families. Morris played her with a toughness and vulnerability that made her both relatable and admirable, and her relationships with the other characters on the show added depth to her character.

In addition to Morris, the other actors on the show were also strong performers. John Finn, who played Lt. John Stillman, was Lilly's boss and a veteran of the department. Finn brought a gruff but compassionate presence to the role and had some of the show's most emotional moments. Jeremy Ratchford played detective Nick Vera, a tough, no-nonsense cop with a strong moral code. Danny Pino, who joined the show in its third season, played detective Scotty Valens, a former narcotics officer who brings a fresh perspective to the team.

Cold Case was also notable for its use of music. Each episode featured a soundtrack of classic songs from the time period in which the crime took place, creating a nostalgic and atmospheric mood. The show's theme song, "Nara" by E.S. Posthumus, became iconic and evocative of the show's themes.

Overall, Cold Case was a strong and compelling crime drama that blended complex characters, emotional storylines, and innovative storytelling techniques. The show's ability to explore a wide variety of cases and themes kept it fresh and engaging throughout its seven-season run, and its talented cast of actors made it a must-watch for fans of crime drama.

In conclusion, Cold Case was a show that tackled a variety of cases while still maintaining themes of family, love, loss, justice, race, class, and gender. Led by a strong performance by Kathryn Morris, alongside a talented ensemble cast, the show was both emotional and innovative in its storytelling approach. With its use of classic music and dedication to finding closure for victims' families, Cold Case will always be remembered as a standout crime drama.

  • Premiere Date
    January 1, 2009
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (29,199)