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Season 1 – Backstrom

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Backstrom Jan 2015 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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36% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Based on a popular Scandinavian book series by renowned criminologist and novelist Leif G.W. Persson, this drama centers on Detective Everett Backstrom, a grumpy and sometimes offensive detective who heads up the Serious Crimes Unit in Portland, Ore. As Backstrom and his team handle the city's most sensitive cases, the detective tries -- and fails -- to modify his self-destructive tendencies. Three-time Emmy-nominee Rainn Wilson plays the titular role in this series created by executive producer Hart Hanson.
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Backstrom — Season 1

Backstrom — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Backstrom's stale cop humor is a cop-out, availed little by the talented cast's attempt to make good of sloppy schtick.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Long Detroit News Feb 23, 2015
C-
Backstrom isn't just far-fetched; at times it's downright silly. And clumsy. And painfully obvious. Go to Full Review Tim Goodman The Hollywood Reporter Jan 26, 2015
Backstrom is pretty bad on a number of levels and can't ultimately be forgiven for wasting Dennis Haysbert. Go to Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Jan 23, 2015
Although people will be murdered and whatever, what matters here most of all and is the case with most TV procedurals is the family the regular characters make. And this has been handled well, in conception and casting. Go to Full Review Randy Dankievitch TV Over Mind Mar 12, 2020
Backstrom is a lifeless carbon copy of a dozen other shows. Go to Full Review Alex Casey The Spinoff Jan 15, 2019
Halfway through the episode I realised that Backstrom is just a bad House, with a few more dead bodies. Go to Full Review Rob Lowman Los Angeles Daily News Feb 3, 2015
There isn't a lot new in this crime show, but so far it is off-kilter and fun, kind of a serious Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Backstrom could even evolve into a series worth getting attached to. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julie C @Juligurl Feb 26, 2026 I absolutely loved this show. It was hilarious! Rainn Wilson elected not to do a second season much to the utter disappointment of his fans. He is a great person so I respect his decision. See more slyc3 @RT13618084 Sep 8, 2022 this is a great comedy but the detective work is kinda basic. all of the characters are likeable (except for the ones meant to be disliked) and in the end it was nice seeing Everett get some character development. Kind of sad that this show got cancelled but I can see why at that time people wouldn't like it. I would recommend this show if you want to have some good laughs and see some heartwarming moments. See more Oct 10, 2018 saw 10 episodes so far. great show. never saw it promoted on local tv stations. watching via amazon prime. See more Nov 2, 2017 Why did Fox cancel one of the most intelligently written and well performed series ever shown? Was it because of the critics who wanted it to be more art house and pretentious? There is ALWAYS such wide disparity between critic consensus and that of the REAL viewership, the general public, people who know what they want and don’t need to be told what to watch like a herd of sheep! I’m just so mad that I don’t get to see Rainn Wilson play this role sober, together with the agony of expectation of his relapse, and it’s so much better than some of the pap detective shows that are aimed at the stupid! Yes, it was occasionally corny and formulaic but always in a fresh and amusing way. My only hope is that another network decides it’s worth picking back up. See more May 31, 2017 Fox is by far the worst. Every time they have a great show they cancel it. Backstrom was everything you could want, funny, emotional, dramatic, relatable and they just ended it on the worst possible note. I will never again in my life start watching a new fox show. See more Feb 8, 2017 Really enjoys it. Made me laugh a lot and hope the books are as clever as I found the show. See more Read all reviews
Backstrom — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Rainn Wilson

Detective Lieutenant Everett Backstrom

Genevieve Angelson

Detective Nicole Gravely

Dennis Haysbert

Detective Sgt. John Almond

Kristoffer Polaha

Sgt. Peter Niedermayer

Page Kennedy

Officer Frank Moto

Béatrice Rosen

Nadia Paquet

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 22, 2015 Dragon Slayer Detective Everett Backstrom and his team investigate when the apparent suicide of a senator's son turns out to be homicide; Backstrom's doctor asks him to make healthier choices -- and one new friend. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 29, 2015 Bella The Special Crimes Unit helps investigate an escalating serial arsonist; childhood neighbors torment Backstrom; Valentine helps Niedermayer recover evidence. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 5, 2015 Takes One to Know One Backstrom and his team investigate when a youth pastor is found murdered at a church; Backstrom's ex-fiancee (Sarah Chalke) is recruited to head up the Civilian Oversight Committee. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 12, 2015 I Am a Bird Now When the team investigates the murder of a drag queen blogger, Backstrom declares it a hate crime; Backstrom must testify about his shooting of a suspect from a past case. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 19, 2015 Bogeyman Backstrom and the team have three days to save a teenage girl who was taken by an elusive online predator; the teen reminds Backstrom of a victim from an unsolved case. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 26, 2015 Ancient, Chinese, Secret As Backstrom and the SCU investigate the murder of a fortune-teller, secrets are revealed about certain members of the team; a burgeoning relationship is revealed. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 5, 2015 Enemy of My Enemies When an oil pipeline explodes in Backstrom's childhood town, his team works with his estranged father to find the suspected eco-terrorist before there is another attack; Amy pays Backstrom a late night visit. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 26, 2015 Give 'Til It Hurts The team investigates when a hit-and-run leaves a wealthy woman dead; Backstrom's unhealthy habits cause friction in his life. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 2, 2015 Inescapable Truth The team investigates when a witness in a drug investigation escapes from rehab and ends up dead; Backstrom suspects Valentine is more than just his tenant. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 9, 2015 Love Is a Rose and You Better Not Pick It The S.C.U. investigates when a young female sex surrogate is found dead; Backstrom receives upsetting news about his mother. Details Episode 11 Aired Apr 16, 2015 I Like to Watch The investigation into the death of an artist at a performance art festival turns up a number of potential killers; Backstrom shares a moment of passion with a suspect. Details Episode 12 Aired Apr 23, 2015 Corkscrewed Valentine's abuser, Dante Trippi, is murdered and left on Backstrom's doorstep; Valentine's inability to tell the truth makes the investigation difficult; Backstrom is not a fan of Amy's new boyfriend. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 30, 2015 Rock Bottom When a Native American is found dead under a bridge, Amy's new boyfriend wants in on the investigation; Backstrom must make a difficult decision when he suspects his father knows about a meth dealer's activities. Details

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Backstrom — Season 1

Backstrom Backstrom Backstrom Backstrom <em>Backstrom</em>, Season 1 <em>Backstrom</em>, Season 1 View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Hart Hanson, Kevin Hooks, Leif G.W. Persson, Niclas Salomonsson, Mark Mylod
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-14 (V|L|D)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 22, 2015
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