Capt. Francis Xavier “Frank” Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti):

Rarely out of a 3-piece suit, the suave station Caption exuded an air of calm, by-the book-confidence and absolute professionalism, but could be given to bursts of anger when fighting for his moral principles. The passions simmering beneath the surface were hinted at when we learned that he was a recovering alcoholic, and they were more starkly revealed through the clandestine workplace affair he was carrying out with Joyce Davenport, the beautiful and fiercely intelligent Public Defender.

Fay Furillo (Barbara Bosson):

Frank’s ex-wife began the series as an emotionally needy, somewhat shrewish woman who persisted in turning up at the station to discuss alimony and the problems she was having as a single mum raising Frank Jnr. After Frank Snr. snapped during Season 3 and finally reminded her that they are no longer married, Fay began to move on emotionally and became far more well-rounded in the process.

Joyce Davenport (Veronica Hamel):

Her work often set her at professional odds with Frank and his team as she was called to defend one of the perps held in custody at the station, but the chemistry between her and Furillo was electric and there is no way their presumed secret wouldn’t have been the main topic of gossip around the station house. Most episodes of the series either began or ended with the couple in bed, discussing the events that formed the basis of the episode - much to the consternation of the more conservative viewers who frequently wrote in to complain about it.