Filmmaking | Interviews

The Women Behind ‘Homicide’

1 May , 1999  

Written by Amy Steele | Posted by:

Stars Callie Thorne and Michael Michele and writer/producer Anya Epstein talk about the making of 'Homicide'
As a benefit for the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation and the New England Home for Little Wanderers, there was a special screening and discussion about an episode of "Homicide: Life on the Streets" on Friday, May 7, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA. The show is written and co-produced by Brookline native Anya Epstein. "The Why Chromosome" is an unusual episode for the critically acclaimed detective series "Homicide." This is a storyline that is completely female-centered. For the first time, two Baltimore homicide detectives, Detective Laura Ballard (Callie Thorne) and Detective Rene Sheppard (Michael Michele), are paired together on a case.

"It was never spoken about, but there’s this subtextual thing that men can do it better," explained Lincoln, MA, native Callie Thorne by phone from her apartment in Manhattan. "This was really exciting not only that the writers wanted to put two women together, but that the creators thought it would be good as well. Tom (Fontana, executive producer) thought that it would make a good episode, and not only could Michael and I make something exciting, but within the story that we’d be able to get the job done along with everybody’s doubts in the squadroom. ‘Homicide’ is unique because they have both sides, and that’s really important for the show and us as actors, and for the audience."

Thorne graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury High School and Wheaton College. "When I’m home, people approach me, and they’re proud I’m from Boston," the "Next Stop Wonderland" co-star gushed. She also credits much of her acting success today to Pamela Bongas, the Theater director at Wheaton.

"In terms of me finding a voice as a woman, much less a comedian or dramatic actor, this woman had everything to do with it. She was tremendous, and I’m still friends with her. Everything that is a base in my acting just as an actor and as a woman is from Pam Bongas," Thorne stated. "But then, I attribute all my values and morals to my mom."

The writers worked off the chemistry between Michele and Thorne, who became close immediately on the Baltimore set. "Callie is generous, open, a great spirt and soul, and we bonded as women," Michele stated. Michele is a giving woman as well. She volunteers for an organization in New York called Kids ‘N’ You, where she began a roundtable chat through which high school students could meet with mentors from various professional backgrounds.

"Homicide" is a fascinating show because it provides real insight into the world of Baltimore homicide detectives. The series is based on the nonfiction book, "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets," by David Simon, which explores the often-dark world. Even the medical examiner handling the case is a woman (Sarita Choudhury). The crime in question involves girl gangs, a rising problem on the gritty Baltimore streets. "There is woman-to-woman violence and a brutal type of violence that you don’t often watch on television or film," explained Michele. "And this is a rarity. You still don’t see a story told from a woman’s point of view, and for that reason, it will be a good episode."

This season, a large focus of the show has been gender. Sheppard was beat down early on in the season, and her partner, Meldrick Lewis (Clark Johnson), is hesitant to partner with a woman again. Sheppard’s situation sparked debate among the characters as to how male and female cops behave differently, and how each of them would individually react under similar circumstances.

"I’m so happy to finally have a chance to play a role I could really sink my teeth into," stressed Michele. "Television has far exceeded film with roles: there are more cops, lawyers, professional women that are empowering to women. It is nice to see the woman that is not an accessory. There are no stereotypes."

The idea for the episode has been brewing among show writers and creators for some time. Women in film and television are usually the girlfriends and support system for main characters. On the intelligently written "Homicide," the women are talented, brilliant, bold, and attractive. They are as layered and complex as the rest of the cast members on the character-driven show.

"Partners and gender are heated issues this season," explained show writer/producer and Brookline native Anya Epstein by phone from Manhattan. "We’ve always dealt with race but have dealt with gender less, and it seemed like a good time. Now we have the strongest group of women–three detectives on the squad. The characters are so interesting as the writers work directly with the actors, live in Baltimore during the production, and live in a community with the actors. That allows them to see what makes things click."

Epstein graduated from Brookline High School and Yale University. Her father, Leslie Epstein, is chair of the creative writing program at Boston University. Her mother, Ilene, and aunt, Sandy Gradman, own The Studio in Brookline. They convinced Anya to screen the television show for The Studio talk series, which focuses on women in different professional fields. Epstein admitted that she would love to move back to Boston someday and film a show in her native city.

‘Homicide’ just wrapped its seventh (and rumored to be last) season on NBC. It airs Fridays at 10:00 p.m. Reruns of the show can be seen at 8:00 p.m. each night on CourtTV. The series has garnered three Peabody awards, two Emmy awards and two Writers Guild of America awards. For further information see: http://www.nbc.com/homicide/


'Homicide' just wrapped its seventh (and rumored to be last) season on NBC. It airs Fridays at 10:00 p.m. Reruns of the show can be seen at 8:00 p.m. each night on CourtTV. The series has garnered three Peabody awards, two Emmy awards and two Writers Guild of America awards. For further information see: http://www.nbc.com/homicide/

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