Shots Fired (FOX 2017, Sanaa Lathan, Stephen James)

Examining the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small Southern town, Shots Fired is a dramatic new event series that is a ‘why done it?’ and a ‘who done it?’

The 10-hour event series is an explosive look at the criminal justice system. When an African-American police officer kills an unarmed white college student, a small town in North Carolina is turned upside-down. Before the town has a chance to grapple with this tragedy, the neglected murder of an African-American teen is brought to light, re-opening wounds that threaten to tear the town apart. Leading the Department of Justice’s inquiry into these shootings is seasoned investigator ASHE AKINO (Sanaa Lathan) and a young Special Prosecutor, PRESTON TERRY (Stephan James), both of whom are African-American.

As they start to pull back the layers of both cases, they suspect a cover-up that may involve some of the state’s most powerful people, including fiercely political North Carolina Governor PATRICIA EAMONS (Academy-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Helen Hunt). She’s in a tough re-election fight, and the recent shootings in her state are making it even tougher.

Meanwhile, real estate mogul and owner of a privatized prison ARLEN COX (Academy- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss), is pulled into the case, as LT. ERIC BREELAND (Stephen Moyer), a seasoned veteran in the town’s Sheriff’s Department, gets caught in the middle of the investigation. SHOTS FIRED tackles the racial divide from all perspectives. As Ashe and Preston navigate the media attention, public debate and social unrest that come with such volatile cases, they learn that everybody has a story, and that the truth is rarely black and white.

production details
USA | Fox – 20th Century Fox Television – Imagine Television – Undisputed Cinema | 10×45 minutes | Broadcast 22 March – 24 May 2017

Brian Grazer as Executive Producer
Francie Calfo as Executive Producer
Gina Prince-Bythewood as Creator/Executive Producer/Director (Pilot)
Reggie Rock Bythewood as Creator/Executive Producer

cast
Sanaa Lathan as Ashe Akino
Will Patton as Sheriff Platt
Stephan James as Preston Terry
Richard Dreyfuss as Arlen Cox
Aisha Hinds as Pastor Janae James
Stephen Moyer as Lieutenant Breeland
Clare-Hope Ashitey as Kerry Beck
DeWanda Wise as Shameeka Campbell
Tristan Mack Wilds as Deputy Joshua Beck
Conor Leslie as Sarah Ellis