Lethal Weapon (TV series)

• Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh, a senior Los Angeles Police Department Detective who returns to the force after recovering from a heart attack and is partnered with Texas transfer Martin Riggs. He is married with three children (two teenagers and a toddler). He is a native of Inglewood, California, and currently resides in Sherman Oaks. In "Family Ties", Murtaugh is promoted to Captain after Avery decides to step down in order to run for office. He was originally played by Danny Glover in the film series.
• Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs (seasons 1–2), a Navy SEAL-turned-police officer from El Paso, Texas. He moved to Los Angeles after the death of his wife and unborn child, transferring from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to the LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division. Riggs lives in a trailer on the beach. He was originally played by Mel Gibson in the film series.
• Jordana Brewster as Dr. Maureen Cahill (seasons 1–2; guest season 3), the police department's psychologist who treats Det. Riggs (and occasionally Det. Murtaugh), although sometimes she is referred to as a psychiatrist and prescribes drugs (for example in "Better Living Through Chemistry"). The character is originally based on Dr. Stephanie Woods played by Mary Ellen Trainor in the film series.
• Keesha Sharp as Trish Murtaugh, Det. Murtaugh's loving wife and mother of his three children who works as a defense attorney. In the season one episode "As Good As It Getz", Trish quits her job after being passed over for managing partner at her law firm. She was originally played by Darlene Love in the film series.
• Kevin Rahm as Captain Brooks Avery, the Commanding Officer of Robbery-Homicide Division. Before his promotion, Capt. Avery was partners with Det. Murtaugh. In "Lawmen", it is revealed that years ago he and a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) planted evidence to convict a murderer after previous evidence was excluded from trial; he was prepared to resign over the incident when it came to light, but Murtaugh convinced him to stay because if his impropriety was revealed it would mean that all of Avery's cases (many of which he worked with Murtaugh) would be reviewed if not overturned entirely. The character is based on Captain Ed Murphy played by Steve Kahan in the film series.
• Johnathan Fernandez as Bernard Scorsese, a medical examiner, forensic scientist and aspiring screenwriter who works alongside Dets. Murtaugh and Riggs.
• Michelle Mitchenor as Detective Sonya Bailey, a fellow detective with Robbery-Homicide Division. She is partnered with Det. Alex Cruz during the first season, Det. Zach Bowman in the second season, and Det. Luisa Gutierrez in the third season.
• Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh, Det. Murtaugh's teenage daughter. The character is based on Rianne Murtaugh, played by Traci Wolfe in the film series.
• Dante Brown as Roger "RJ" Murtaugh Jr., Det. Murtaugh's teenage son. He graduated from high school at the end of season 1 and briefly attended college before dropping out during season 2. The character is based on Nick Murtaugh, played by Damon Hines in the film series.
• Seann William Scott as Wesley Cole (season 3), a war veteran, former C.I.A. field officer, and father who moves to Los Angeles to be closer to his child. He becomes Murtaugh's partner, after actor Clayne Crawford was fired from the series. The character is based on Lorna Cole, Riggs' love interest played by Rene Russo and Lee Butters played by Chris Rock in the film series.[5]

• Thomas Lennon as Leo Getz, a comedic ambulance-chasing lawyer who once worked in the District Attorney's office before being fired. He befriends Riggs and Murtaugh after he witnesses a client's murder, and is put under their protection. He quickly takes a liking to them and their friendship strengthens by the second season. He was originally played by Joe Pesci in the film series.
• Hilarie Burton as Karen Palmer (seasons 1–2), a DEA agent who sometimes works with Riggs and Murtaugh on drug trafficking cases, and is also Riggs' love interest. The two break up early in season 2.
• Floriana Lima as Miranda Riggs (née Delgado) (seasons 1–2), Det. Riggs' late wife, who is seen in flashbacks. Originally from the Los Angeles area, she moved to Texas when she married Riggs, and after her death, he moved to LA and joined the LAPD. The character is based on Victoria Riggs from the film series, although she was never seen as she had already died before the events of the first film.
• Richard Cabral as Detective Alejandro "Alex" Cruz (season 1), formerly an undercover officer with the LAPD's Gang Division who once worked at the Robbery-Homicide Division.
• Tony Plana as Ronnie Delgado (seasons 1–2), the Los Angeles City Attorney and Det. Riggs' father-in-law. He is stabbed in prison in the Season 2 episode "Diggin' Up Dirt", and dies in the hospital.
• Andrew Patrick Ralston as Jim McNeile, a dentist and neighbor of the Murtaughs.
• Michelle Hurd as Gina Santos (seasons 2–3), a police big shot who arrives to take control of the division as chief, superseding the authority of Captain Avery. She and Murtaugh had previously partnered as detectives on a stakeout.
• Andrew Creer as Detective Zach Bowman (season 2), a young detective who starts working at the precinct. He is soon partnered with Bailey. Leo Getz condescendingly calls them "The B-team", which the naïve Bowman thinks is because their last names both start with "B".
• Kristen Gutoskie as Molly Hendricks (season 2), Riggs' childhood friend and the ex-wife of his old best friend Jake, who has been in and out of prison. Riggs and Molly have a brief relationship that Riggs ends when he sees his work and his father are putting Molly and her son in danger. They later are able to reconcile, and make plans to move back to Texas together just before Riggs is shot in the season 2 finale.
• Rex Linn as Nathan Riggs (season 2), Riggs' abusive father
• Chase Mangum as Young Martin Riggs (season 2)
• Sophia Woodward as Young Molly Hendricks (season 2)
• Duncan Joiner as Ben (season 2), Molly's son via her ex-husband Jake
• Peter Coventry Smith as Garrett Riggs (seasons 2–3), Riggs' much younger half-brother and killer
• Maggie Lawson as Natalie Flynn (season 3), Cole's ex-wife
• Shay Rudolph as Maya Flynn (season 3), Cole and Natalie's daughter
• Mykelti Williamson as Tom Barnes (season 3), Cole's former commanding officer[6]
• Paola Lázaro as Detective Luisa "The Gute" Gutierrez (season 3), Detective Sonya Bailey's new partner[7]
• Nishi Munshi as Erica Malick (season 3), a deputy district attorney and potential love interest for Cole[8]

Damon Wayans was cast as Roger Murtaugh,[15] followed by Golden Brooks as Trish Murtaugh,[16] Jordana Brewster as Dr. Maureen Cahill,[17] Kevin Rahm as Captain Avery,[18] Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs,[19] and Chandler Kinney as Riana Murtaugh.[20] Keesha Sharp took over the role of Trish Murtaugh from Brooks.[21][22] Johnathan Fernandez was cast as Scorsese.[22][23] When the pilot was picked up to series, Johnathan Fernandez was made a series regular. Though showrunner Matt Miller had expressed interest in making Thomas Lennon a series regular as Leo Getz at some point, he remained a recurring actor throughout the three season run.

In May 2018, Crawford was dismissed from the show for on-set behavioral issues and the producers were looking to replace him for a potential third season.[24][25] Seann William Scott was cast that month as the new co-lead ahead of a third season renewal, playing a new character named Wesley Cole.[2][26]

The same year in October, Damon Wayans announced his exit from the series, following the end of production for the third season in December.[4] However, Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier stated in February 2019 that there was a strong possibility of Wayans returning if the series were to be renewed for a fourth season. Wayans had cited health problems as the reason for his departure, as he revealed that he is diabetic. After these statements, producers rearranged Wayans' shooting schedules and provided diabetic meals for him on-set.[27]

Lethal Weapon received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 67% approval rating, with an average rating of 5.35/10 based on 42 reviews. The consensus says, "Lethal Weapon's overly polished production values and tired narrative are somewhat overcome by solid chemistry between its two leads".[37] On Metacritic, the first season has a weighted average of 56 out of 100 based on 24 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[38]

The second season received positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave a rating of 100% with an average rating of 10/10 based on 5 reviews.[39]

For the third season, 100% of Rotten Tomatoes' 5 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 10/10.[40]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an average score of 89%.[41]