Lethal Weapon

A former Navy SEAL with a volatile streak leaves military life and takes a risky route into law enforcement, joining the Los Angeles Police Department. His new partner, veteran detective Roger Murtaugh, is trying to preserve a quieter life after years on the job, but the rookie’s unpredictable instincts and willingness to bend rules pull him back into chaos. The pair tackle violent crimes, tangled conspiracies, and everyday police work while their clashing styles create friction, jokes, and moments of unexpected trust. The show mixes set-piece action with workplace banter and family scenes, keeping the focus on how two very different cops learn to work together without giving away major plot turns.

The series premiered in 2016 on Fox, developed by Matthew Miller and adapted from the original Lethal Weapon film franchise. Damon Wayans leads as Roger Murtaugh, Seann William Scott plays Wesley Cole, and Keesha Sharp co-stars as Trish Murtaugh, anchoring the show in recognizable franchise roots.

Critics and audiences tended to respond well to the lead pairing, reflected in a solid 7.3/10 average from user votes. Reviews often highlighted the mix of humor and procedural beats, and the series frequently touched on themes like loyalty, coping with trauma, and balancing duty with family life, while sometimes drawing criticism for uneven tonal shifts.

Bringing a popular movie property to network television renewed attention on the Lethal Weapon brand, and the show helped reintroduce the buddy-cop formula to a modern prime-time audience. Casting a different generation of actors for familiar roles sparked conversations about how franchises translate to serialized TV, and certain episodes became talking points among fans for bringing cinematic action to the small screen.

While the program earned praise for the chemistry between its leads and steady viewership, it did not rack up major awards during its run. Performances and stunt work received positive notice in press and fan communities, but the series wasn’t a frequent presence in top industry award lists.