Day Break

Synopsis

LAPD Detective Brett Hopper finds himself trapped in a single day that keeps repeating, a day that begins with him being framed for killing Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza. As he works to prove his innocence and find out what is really going on, he uncovers a conspiracy involving people he trusts.

He also discovers that someone else might be stuck in the same loop. Each time the day resets, Hopper wakes up at his girlfriend Rita's apartment just as the clock changes from 6:17 to 6:18 a.m., bringing with him all his memories and any injuries he has sustained. People outside the loop have no clue the day is repeating, but Hopper's actions cause lasting changes in how his partner Andrea and Rita behave toward him in later cycles.

Cast and characters

Brett Hopper, played by Taye Diggs, is a detective framed for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza. Rita Shelten, played by Moon Bloodgood, is Brett's girlfriend and a nurse targeted by those framing him. Jennifer Mathis, played by Meta Golding, is Brett's sister and a school teacher.

Andrea Battle, played by Victoria Pratt, is Brett's current partner and a detective under Internal Affairs investigation due to dealings with her informant 'Slim'; she is romantically involved with Eddie Reyes, a former cop with a drug addiction. Damien Ortiz, played by Ramón Rodríguez, is Brett's informant and a gang member who turned against his gang. Chad Shelten, played by Adam Baldwin, is Brett's former partner and a detective in Internal Affairs, as well as Rita's ex-husband.

Broadcast and cancelation

Taye Diggs attributed the cancellation to insufficient viewership, stating the network gave the show a chance but audiences were not watching. Moon Bloodgood similarly cited timing, noting that she thought the show was good and would not have done it otherwise. Adam Baldwin expressed pride in the show, suggesting it would hold up if watched chronologically on a streaming format, and that its nonlinear structure was a challenge for commercial television with weekly breaks.

Mitch Pileggi wished the show could have continued, calling it 'pretty good' and expressing interest in his character's development. ABC initially cited 'unforeseen music clearance issues' for delaying the online release of unaired episodes. On January 14, 2007, the network announced the remaining episodes would be made available by the end of February. The first six aired episodes and the first four unaired episodes were posted on January 29, 2007.

The thirteenth and final episode, originally scheduled for February 19, was delayed multiple times and premiered late on March 2, reportedly due to copyrighting issues with the original soundtrack of the final cut.

Did You Know?

• On March 16, 2008, the TV One cable network began airing the six previously broadcast episodes; on April 20, it began Sunday evening broadcasts of the remaining seven episodes.
• Day Break: The Complete Series was released on DVD in Region 1 by BCI Eclipse as a 4-disc set on March 25, 2008.
• Mill Creek Entertainment re-released Day Break on September 29, 2009 as a 2-disc set.