Cop dramas set in the aftermath of cop shootings of civilians are catching on apparently (see Fox’s upcoming “Shots Fired” to start). And of course they would/should be, given recent well-publicized fatalities, and the protests that followed.

ABC also wants to tackle the subject matter via a new series the network has put into development, titled “Protect & Serve,” from executive producer/showrunner Barbie Kligman and executive producer Aaron Kaplan (the team behind another ABC series, “Secrets & Lies”), which Kligman will script with Billy Malone. Set in the aftermath of a riot in a currently unnamed American city – the result of a police shooting of an unarmed man – “Protect & Serve” will center on the shattered police department as it tries to rebuild itself under a newly appointed Police Chief.

At this time, whether race will be of any influence on the story isn’t public information. We can only assume…

Kligman, Kaplan and Dana Honor executive produce “Protect & Serve.”

No ETA yet.




Fox’s “Shots Fired” examines the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small Southern town, providing an explosive look at the criminal justice system.  The dramatic new 10-hour event series hails from Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood.

The diverse cast includes: The cast includes: Sanaa Lathan, Stephan James, Helen Hunt, Richard Dreyfuss, Stephen Moyer, Tristan Wildsk, Aisha Hinds, Jill Hennessy, Will Patton, Conor Leslie, Clare-Hope Ashitey and DeWanda Wise.

It premieres in early 2017 on Fox.

Deadline was first to report the “Protect & Serve” news.