The Shiled breaks the conventional formula of the cop genre. It plays out in a tough, morally ambiguous world in which the line between good and bad is crossed every day. The series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions.
The Shield stars Michael Chiklis (The Commish) as rogue cop "Det. Vic Mackey," leader of the elite Strike Team unit, who is effective at eliminating crime but who operates under his own set of rules. Benito Martinez (Outbreak, Her Costly Affair) plays "Captain David Aceveda," the young precinct head who doesn't like Mackey's tactics and wants to bust him off the force. The Emmy-nominated CCH Pounder (ER, Boycott), plays "Det. Claudette Wyms," a veteran detective who understands Mackey and knows how to play both sides of the fence. The series also stars Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins, Michael Jace, Kenneth Johnson, and Jay Karnes.
Shawn Ryan (Angel, Nash Bridges), who created the series, is Executive Producer. Scott Brazil (Hill Street Blues, Gideon's Crossing) and Kevin Arkadie (Chicago Hope, NYPD Blue) are Co-Executive Producers. Clark Johnson (who directed HBO’s Boycott and starred in NBC’s Homicide) directed the pilot, episode 3 and 5. The series is shot entirely in Los Angeles.