''McBride'' is the name of a series of 10

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made fo ...

mystery film A mystery film is a genre of film that revolves around the solution of a problem or a crime. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, i ...

s released by the

Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is an American television channel owned by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., which in turn is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc. The channel's programming is primarily targeted at families, and features a mix of television movies a ...

between 2005 and 2008 and stars

John Larroquette John Bernard Larroquette (; born November 25, 1947) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in the NBC military drama series '' Baa Baa Black Sheep'' (1976–1978), the NBC sitcom '' Night Court'' (1984–1992; for which he rec ...

as a lawyer. It later appeared regularly on the Hallmark Movie Channel. It is broadcast some weekends on the

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Channel. While on the Hallmark Channel, it was broadcast in rotation with the movie series ''

Jane Doe John Doe (male) and Jane Doe (female) are multiple-use placeholder names that are used when the true name of a person is unknown or is being intentionally concealed. In the context of law enforcement in the United States, such names are ofte ...

'', '' Murder 101'', and ''

Mystery Woman ''Mystery Woman'' is the name of a series of 11 made-for-television mystery films released by the Hallmark Channel between 2003 and 2007, and now appearing regularly on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. While on the Hallmark Channel, it was broadca ...

'' under the

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''Hallmark Channel Mystery Wheel''. In the UK, these movies are aired, on a rotation basis, in afternoon drama slot on Channel 5.

Story

Lawyer Mike McBride is a curmudgeon with a heart of gold. He takes cases based on their merit rather than on their monetary value, which often leads to terse notices from bill collectors. A disillusioned member of the LAPD, McBride left the force after 12 years and went back to school to become a lawyer. McBride, sidekick Phil Newberry, and McBride's former girlfriend Detective Roberta Hansen, solve crimes through investigation and research.

Main characters

Mike McBride (

) – McBride, although a lawyer for only eight years, is renowned in Los Angeles for his tough persona and commitment to his clients. Quirky and unconventional, his methods often draw negative attention from his peers, as well as a certain measure of dread from every ADA he must face in the courtroom. Larroquette himself decided that McBride should not have a first name and resisted using even an initial. The name plate on his desk, however, says "M. McBride" and in the first movie, McBride's jury summons is briefly seen, noting that his first name is Mike. Later promos for the show also refer to him as Mike. He is more commonly known as "Mac". McBride has inherited a rundown ranch and a white dog, Jesse, from a client serving a life sentence. Phil Newberry (

Matt Lutz Matthew Christopher "Matt" Lutz (born October 15, 1978) is an American film, television, and theater actor, who portrays Phil Newberry on the Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is an American television channel owned by Crown Media Ho ...

) – Phil is former public defender who is fortunate enough to try a case in which McBride is a juror. Though Phil fails to convince the rest of the jury of his client's innocence, McBride's contrary vote is enough to hang the jury. Upon meeting face to face, Phil realizes he can learn much from this seasoned litigator and goes to work for McBride. Phil Newberry is often the "gadget guy", a post-modern counterpoint to McBride's old-fashioned sleuthing. In the first episode, he is revealed to have a trust fund and is willing to work without pay. Roberta Hansen (

Marta DuBois Marta may refer to: People * Marta (given name), a feminine given name * Märta, a feminine given name * Marta (surname) : István Márta composer * Marta (footballer) (born 1986), Brazilian professional footballer Places * Marta (river) ...

) – Roberta is a sharp-tongued homicide detective with the LAPD. She and McBride share a somewhat mysterious romantic past, but have put aside their entanglement to work together as friends. Though sometimes at odds, McBride and Roberta respect and trust one another, often coming together to solve crimes everyone else has abandoned. In later episodes, Roberta's office moves from a roomier one in the corner of the police headquarters to one closer to the middle of the station. Though it is never explained in the story, the switch was made for shooting reasons because the corner office was more difficult to light.

Films in the series

#''McBride: Murder Past Midnight'', directed by Kevin Connor, first aired January 14, 2005 #''McBride: The Chameleon Murder'', directed by Kevin Connor, first aired February 4, 2005. This was the only movie sold on DVD by Hallmark Home Video. # ''McBride: It's Murder, Madam'', directed by Kevin Connor, first aired March 4, 2005 # ''McBride: The Doctor is Out ... Really Out'', directed by

, first aired June 12, 2005 # ''McBride: Tune in for Murder'', directed by

Stephen Bridgewater Stephen or Steven is a common English first name. It is particularly significant to Christians, as it belonged to Saint Stephen ( grc-gre, Στέφανος ), an early disciple and deacon who, according to the Book of Acts, was stoned to death; ...

, first aired August 14, 2005 # ''McBride: Anybody Here Murder Marty?'', directed by James Contner, first aired August 28, 2005 # ''McBride: Fallen Idol'', directed by

, first aired March 11, 2006 # ''McBride: Semper Fi'', directed by

, first aired January 20, 2007 # ''McBride: Dogged'', directed by

, first aired March 17, 2007 # ''McBride: Requiem'', directed by Mark Griffiths, first aired May 31, 2008 (some sources and databases list it as 2006)

References

External links

{{Hallmark Channel Mystery Wheel 2000s mystery films American film series American mystery films Hallmark Channel Mystery Wheel Hallmark Channel original films Larry Levinson Productions Films directed by Kevin Connor American drama television films 2000s American films