Shark (American TV series)

Did You Know?

• Filming took place mostly in and around Hollywood and Los Angeles, including Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Hills.
• Roof top scenes were shot at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and exterior and interior shots at the Vibe Hotel.
• In the United Kingdom, Shark was shown at 11 a.m. every weekday on Channel 5.

Synopsis

The series follows Sebastian Stark, a Los Angeles defense attorney who becomes disillusioned after his successful defense of a wife-abuser leads to the wife's death. He is invited by the district attorney to become a public prosecutor, applying his unorthodox methods to convict the guilty. His relationships with the DA's office, his staff, and his daughter form the central plot.

Cast and characters

James Woods portrays Deputy DA Sebastian Stark, the protagonist and head of the mayor's special unit, who initially struggles with his new role but becomes highly effective. Jeri Ryan plays Jessica Devlin, the district attorney in season one who later becomes a deputy DA on Stark's team after her failed reelection. Danielle Panabaker appears as Julie Stark, Sebastian's daughter who moves in with him after her parents' divorce. Sarah Carter is Deputy DA Madeleine Poe, a prosecutor who joins Stark's unit voluntarily and had the highest conviction rate in the DA's office. Sophina Brown plays Deputy DA Raina Troy, described as passionate and brilliant but prone to contempt citations; she later begins a relationship with investigator Isaac Wright. Samuel Page portrays Deputy DA Richard Casey Woodland in season one, a lawyer from an influential family who leaves to work on his father's campaign. Alexis Cruz plays Deputy DA Martin Allende, who dies after being shot while rescuing a girl. Henry Simmons appears as DA Investigator Isaac Wright, a former police officer dismissed for false testimony who joins Stark's team.

Broadcast history

Shark first aired in the 10:00 p.m. Eastern Thursday night slot. CBS picked up the show for a full 22-episode season on October 20, 2006. For its second season, the show moved to Sunday night at 10:00 p.m., competing with ABC's Brothers & Sisters. Due to the writer's strike, the second season was shortened to 16 episodes. The show returned on April 29, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. for four post-strike episodes, and CBS cancelled it on May 13, 2008.