Lethal Weapon (TV series)
A reboot of the buddy cop film franchise.
Lethal Weapon is an American television series that blends buddy cop action with comedy and drama. Developed by Matt Miller, it is a reboot of the film franchise created by Shane Black. The show aired on Fox for three seasons, from September 21, 2016, to February 26, 2019.
For its first two seasons, the series starred Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs and Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh—the mismatched detective duo originally portrayed by Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in the films. Other characters from the movies also appear, including Leo Getz, played by Thomas Lennon, a close friend of the detectives who was played by Joe Pesci in the films.
In May 2018, following reports of on-set hostility and alleged bad behavior involving cast and crew, Crawford was fired. His character, Martin Riggs, was killed off. For the third season, Seann William Scott joined the cast as a new character, Wesley Cole. The third season premiered on September 25, 2018. Damon Wayans left the series after production wrapped in December 2018.
**Synopsis**
During the first two seasons, Roger Murtaugh—an aging detective with a wife and three children—is partnered with Martin Riggs, a younger, unstable detective whose wife and unborn child were recently murdered. Despite Riggs’ reckless methods frequently endangering both their lives, the two develop mutual respect and a close friendship. After Riggs dies at the end of season two, Murtaugh falls into a six-month depression. During this time, he meets and befriends Wesley Cole, a former CIA operative who has traveled extensively and seen much. Cole soon finds himself adjusting to life in Los Angeles while navigating a new partnership with Murtaugh.
**Cast and Characters**
**Main**
- **Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs** (seasons 1–2): A Navy SEAL-turned-police officer from El Paso, Texas. He transfers to the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division after his wife and unborn child are killed, and lives in a beach trailer. Originally played by Mel Gibson in the films. - **Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh**: A senior LAPD detective who returns to work after a heart attack and is partnered with Riggs. He is married with three children (two teenagers and a toddler), is from Inglewood, California, and lives in Sherman Oaks. In the episode “Family Ties,” he is promoted to Captain after Avery steps down to run for office. Originally played by Danny Glover
- field
- Television
- genre
- Buddy cop action comedy-drama
- network
- Fox
- seasons
- 3
- premiere_date
- September 21, 2016
- finale_date
- February 26, 2019
- based_on
- Lethal Weapon film franchise by Shane Black
Lore & Background
The series follows mismatched detective partners Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh for its first two seasons. Riggs is a young, unstable detective whose wife and unborn child were recently murdered, while Murtaugh is an aging detective with a wife and three children. Despite Riggs' dangerous methods, the two develop a close friendship. After Crawford was fired in May 2018 amid reports of alleged bad behavior and hostility on set, the Martin Riggs character was killed off. Seann William Scott joined the third season as Wesley Cole, a former CIA operative who becomes Murtaugh's new partner after Murtaugh experiences a six-month period of depression following Riggs' death. The series also includes characters inspired by the films, such as Leo Getz, played by Thomas Lennon.
Reader's Guide
Lethal Weapon (TV series) is significant as a television reboot of a major film franchise, attempting to capture the chemistry of the original films while introducing new elements. The series is notable for its behind-the-scenes turmoil, including the firing of lead actor Clayne Crawford due to alleged bad behavior and hostility, leading to the unprecedented killing off of the main character and replacement with a new character played by Seann William Scott. Damon Wayans left the series after the end-of-season production in December 2018. The show ran for three seasons, with the third season shortened to 13 episodes plus two additional episodes ordered later. Its legacy includes demonstrating the challenges of adapting film properties for television and the impact of off-screen conflicts on a series' direction.
Did You Know?
- Clayne Crawford was fired from the show in May 2018 amidst reports of alleged bad behavior and incidents of hostility between cast and crew.
- After Crawford's firing, the Martin Riggs character was killed off and replaced by Seann William Scott as a new character, Wesley Cole.
- Damon Wayans left the series following the end-of-season production in December 2018.
- The character Leo Getz, played by Thomas Lennon, was originally portrayed by Joe Pesci in the film series.
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