Against the Wall (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Against the Wall is an American drama
television series created by Annie Brunner. The series stars Rachael Carpani
as Abby Kowalski, a police detective who recently joined the Internal Affairs division of the Chicago Police Department
.
The series is broadcast in the United States on the cable channel Lifetime, and is a production of Universal Cable Productions. It premiered on July 31, 2011, following Drop Dead Diva
.
, who in order to pursue her dream career as a detective takes the only opening available; in the Internal Affairs Division. Abby's decision to join the department's internal affairs division puts her at odds with members of her own family, themselves members of the Chicago Police Department. Now Abby must find a way to do her job as an IAD detective without tearing her family apart.
.
Casting announcements began in September 2010, with Rachael Carpani
first to be cast, Carpani was cast as Abby Kowalski, "a policewoman who causes a rift with her three cop brothers when she decides to join the department's Internal Affairs Division." Next to join the series was Treat Williams
as Don Kowalski, Abby's father, "an old-school career Chicago cop who is rough around the edges but has a real soft spot for his only daughter" until she tells him of her new job. Kathy Baker
was next to be cast as Sheila Kowalski, Abby's mother, a Chicago cop's wife. Marisa Ramirez
, Brandon Quinn
and Chris Johnson
, were the last actors to be cast, with Ramirez playing Lina Flores, Abby's new partner at Internal Affairs, Quinn playing Richie Kowalski, Abby's younger brother, a Chicago Patrol Officer, and Johnson playing Danny Mitchell, Abby's longtime friend, who is also a lawyer.
The network green lighted the series on February 7, 2011, with an order of 13 hour-long episodes. The series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.
. The New York Daily News said of the series: "Lifetime's new Against the Wall turns out to be first-rate drama. In fact, it's one of the best new shows of the year." The Los Angeles Times
gave a positive review: "There's much here to suggest that, if everyone relaxes a little, good things will come." The Hollywood Reporter
also gave the pilot a positive review:
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
television series created by Annie Brunner. The series stars Rachael Carpani
Rachael Carpani
Rachael Ann Carpani is an Australian actress.-Biography:Carpani grew up on a property near Dural, in Sydney's Hills district. She studied acting at the Australian College of Entertainment at Macquarie University and at the Drama Works Drama Company...
as Abby Kowalski, a police detective who recently joined the Internal Affairs division of the Chicago Police Department
Chicago Police Department
The Chicago Police Department, also known as the CPD, is the principal law enforcement agency of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States, under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Chicago. It is the largest police department in the Midwest and the second largest local law enforcement agency in the...
.
The series is broadcast in the United States on the cable channel Lifetime, and is a production of Universal Cable Productions. It premiered on July 31, 2011, following Drop Dead Diva
Drop Dead Diva
Drop Dead Diva is an American legal comedy-drama/fantasy television series that debuted on Lifetime on July 12, 2009. The hour-long series, which was created by Josh Berman, is produced by Sony Pictures Television...
.
Overview
The series follows Abby Kowalski, a five year veteran of the Chicago Police DepartmentChicago Police Department
The Chicago Police Department, also known as the CPD, is the principal law enforcement agency of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States, under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Chicago. It is the largest police department in the Midwest and the second largest local law enforcement agency in the...
, who in order to pursue her dream career as a detective takes the only opening available; in the Internal Affairs Division. Abby's decision to join the department's internal affairs division puts her at odds with members of her own family, themselves members of the Chicago Police Department. Now Abby must find a way to do her job as an IAD detective without tearing her family apart.
Main cast
- Rachael CarpaniRachael CarpaniRachael Ann Carpani is an Australian actress.-Biography:Carpani grew up on a property near Dural, in Sydney's Hills district. She studied acting at the Australian College of Entertainment at Macquarie University and at the Drama Works Drama Company...
as Abby Kowalski: A fourth generation Chicago police officer whose father and three older brothers are also members of the CPD. She takes an opening in the department's Internal Affairs Division as a detective, and is involved in a relationship with her brother Richie's partner John Brody and Danny Mitchell. - Kathy BakerKathy BakerKatherine Whitton "Kathy" Baker is an American stage, film and television actress.-Career:Baker began her career at San Francisco's Magic Theatre, performing in several of Sam Shepard's plays before getting her break in an off-Broadway production of Fool for Love opposite Ed Harris...
as Sheila Kowalski: The wife of Don Kowalski and mother of Abby, Richie, Donnie and Steve Kowalski. Near the end of season one she opens her own bakery. - Marisa RamirezMarisa RamirezMarisa Carolina Ramirez is an American actress.-Early life:Ramirez attended an all-girls' school in Alhambra, California at the Ramona Convent Secondary School. Her career began at age 13 when she was brought to the attention of a major L.A...
as Lina Flores: A Chicago police detective assigned as Abby's partner in the Internal Affairs Division. She is married to a fellow cop and has three sons including a set of twin boys. In the season one finale she gives birth to a baby girl, whom Abby delivers in an elevator and names her Carlina. - Brandon QuinnBrandon QuinnBrandon Quinn is a television and film actor. He started his career in 1998 as Charlie Murphy in the film Express: Aisle to Glory....
as Richie Kowalski: A Chicago police officer in the Bureau of Patrol and Abby's youngest older brother. Richie is the closest to Abby since they are the youngest in the family. Richie is married to a woman named Laura and they are expecting a baby. - Mayko NguyenMayko NguyenMayko Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Canadian actress. She is best known for her role as Mayko Tran on ReGenesis.- Biography :She grew up in Vancouver where she pursued her love for acting at Eric Hamber Secondary School...
as Mackie Phan: Abby Kowalski's best friend and neighbor. She helped Abby's mother open her own bakery. - Andrew WalkerAndrew Walker (actor)Andrew W. Walker is a Canadian actor and producer. His film debut was in the film The Score , which triggered the American TV series Maybe It's Me, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and Hot Properties...
, as John Brody "Brody": A very cute, Chicago police officer, he is Richie Kowalski's partner and is involved in a relationship with Abby. - Chris JohnsonChris J. JohnsonChris J. Johnson is an American actor.Born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Johnson had a supporting role as a young agent in XXX: State of the Union. Johnson also played the lead in Three Blind Mice and Daydream Believer. His other film credits include Straight-Jacket, Cursed and Fifty Pills...
as Danny Mitchell: An old friend of Abby's who used to work in the State's AttorneyState's AttorneyIn the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
's office. He later becomes involved with Abby and competes with Brody to win her heart. - Treat WilliamsTreat WilliamsRichard Treat Williams is a Screen Actors Guild Award–nominated American actor and children's book author who has appeared on film, stage and television...
as Don Kowalski: A Chicago police sergeant in the Bureau of Patrol. He is a third generation cop and is married to Sheila Kewalski. He is the adoptive father of Donnie and father of Steve, Richie and Abby.
Recurring cast
- Daniel KashDaniel KashDaniel Joshua Kash is a Canadian actor and director.He was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Canadian opera singer Maureen Forrester and violinist/conductor Eugene Kash. He is also the brother of actress Linda Kash. He studied at the Drama Center in London, England and has appeared in dozens...
as Lieutenant Papadol: A Chicago police lieutenant. He is Abby Kowalski's superior officer in the Internal Affairs Division. He hails from Toronto, Canada and can be seen with a Tim HortonsTim HortonsTim Hortons Inc. is a Canadian fast casual restaurant known for its coffee and doughnuts. It is also Canada's largest fast food service with over 3000 stores nationwide. It was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade, after an initial venture in...
mug on his desk. - James ThomasJames ThomasJames Thomas is the name of:* James Thomas , served as the 23rd Governor of the state of Maryland* James Thomas , civil engineer who was Director of Public Works in Western Australia, 1876–1884* James Thomas , American professional basketball player* James Thomas, 1st Viscount Cilcennin...
as Donnie Kowalski: A Chicago police officer and Abby Kowalski's oldest brother. He was fathered by a man named "Speedo" with Sheila, prior her meeting Don Kowalski, who subsequently adopted him. He tests for and transfers into the Chicago P.D. SWAT team. Donnie is recently divorced and has taken an interest in Abby's best friend Mackie. - Steve ByersSteve ByersSteve Byers is a Canadian actor.Byers was born in Scarborough, Ontario. At a young age he had a passion for acting. Graduating with the top award for Excellence in Drama from the Arts program at Unionville High School, Byers continued his study of the acting craft at the University of Western...
as Steve Kowalski: A Chicago police officer in the Bureau of Patrol and Abby Kowalski's middle older brother. Steve is married and has two little girls. - Chris MulkeyChris MulkeyChris Mulkey is an American actor who most recently appeared in Against the Wall, Cloverfield, the NBC TV movie Knight Rider, and as a corporate executive in season 7 of 24...
as Carl Scott: A Chicago police detective assigned to the Internal Affairs Division. He is the investigating officer of the officer-involved shooting case involving Richie Kowalski.
Development and production
On June 23, 2010, Lifetime placed a pilot order for Against the Wall. Annie Brunner wrote the pilot, Dean Parisot was attached to the project as the director, with Nancy Miller serving as executive producer and Annie Brunner as supervising producer. However, Dean Parisot was forced to pull out of directing the pilot due to the death of his wife, he was replaced by Michael FrescoMichael Fresco
Michael "Mike" Fresco is an American television director and producer.Most notably Fresco has directed a number of episodes from shows including The O.C., My Name is Earl and the pilots to 1-800-Missing and Providence...
.
Casting announcements began in September 2010, with Rachael Carpani
Rachael Carpani
Rachael Ann Carpani is an Australian actress.-Biography:Carpani grew up on a property near Dural, in Sydney's Hills district. She studied acting at the Australian College of Entertainment at Macquarie University and at the Drama Works Drama Company...
first to be cast, Carpani was cast as Abby Kowalski, "a policewoman who causes a rift with her three cop brothers when she decides to join the department's Internal Affairs Division." Next to join the series was Treat Williams
Treat Williams
Richard Treat Williams is a Screen Actors Guild Award–nominated American actor and children's book author who has appeared on film, stage and television...
as Don Kowalski, Abby's father, "an old-school career Chicago cop who is rough around the edges but has a real soft spot for his only daughter" until she tells him of her new job. Kathy Baker
Kathy Baker
Katherine Whitton "Kathy" Baker is an American stage, film and television actress.-Career:Baker began her career at San Francisco's Magic Theatre, performing in several of Sam Shepard's plays before getting her break in an off-Broadway production of Fool for Love opposite Ed Harris...
was next to be cast as Sheila Kowalski, Abby's mother, a Chicago cop's wife. Marisa Ramirez
Marisa Ramirez
Marisa Carolina Ramirez is an American actress.-Early life:Ramirez attended an all-girls' school in Alhambra, California at the Ramona Convent Secondary School. Her career began at age 13 when she was brought to the attention of a major L.A...
, Brandon Quinn
Brandon Quinn
Brandon Quinn is a television and film actor. He started his career in 1998 as Charlie Murphy in the film Express: Aisle to Glory....
and Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson
-Sports:* Chris Johnson , Australian rules footballer with Brisbane* Chris Johnson , Australian rules footballer with Melbourne and Carlton* Chris Johnson , Jamaican...
, were the last actors to be cast, with Ramirez playing Lina Flores, Abby's new partner at Internal Affairs, Quinn playing Richie Kowalski, Abby's younger brother, a Chicago Patrol Officer, and Johnson playing Danny Mitchell, Abby's longtime friend, who is also a lawyer.
The network green lighted the series on February 7, 2011, with an order of 13 hour-long episodes. The series is produced by Universal Cable Productions.
Critical reception
Against the Wall has received mixed to average reviews, earning a score of 59 on MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
. The New York Daily News said of the series: "Lifetime's new Against the Wall turns out to be first-rate drama. In fact, it's one of the best new shows of the year." The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
gave a positive review: "There's much here to suggest that, if everyone relaxes a little, good things will come." The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
also gave the pilot a positive review:
But mostly Against the Wall is a pleasant surprise, with Carpani being a much bigger surprise. If Against the Wall can make its disparate parts work, it will be plenty more intriguing than a number of network procedurals. And in the cable game, that's already a victory.
Ratings
The pilot episode premiered with 1.8 million total viewers, scoring 0.9 million viewers in the 18–49 demographic and 0.6 million in the 25–54 demographic.| Season | Season Premiere | Season Finale | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Viewers Total (in millions) |
Viewers 18–49 |
Date | Viewers Total (in millions) |
Viewers 18–49 |
|
| 1 | July 31, 2011 | 1.78 | 0.9 | October 23, 2011 | 1.47 | 0.4 |