T. J. Hooker is an American police drama television program starring William Shatner in the title role as a 15-year veteran police sergeant. The series premiered as a mid-season replacement on March 13, 1982, on ABC and ran on the network until May 4, 1985. The show was then picked up for a further single season by CBS.

The supporting cast includes Adrian Zmed as rookie Officer Vince Romano; April Clough as Officer Vicki Taylor (Season 1 only), replaced by Heather Locklear as rookie Officer Stacy Sheridan (season 2 onwards); and Richard Herd as Captain Dennis Sheridan, portraying officers in the fictional “LCPD” Police Department Academy Precinct. Toward the end of the show’s second season, James Darren became a regular cast member as Officer Jim Corrigan.

The background of Sergeant Thomas Jefferson “T.J.” Hooker is that he, up until recently, was a plainclothes LCPD Detective Sergeant whose partner was killed in the line of duty while he and Hooker were trying to stop a bank robbery. An angry Hooker is motivated to rid the streets of criminals like those who murdered his partner, and he gives up his detective position to return to duty as a uniformed beat cop.

In “The Protectors,” the series’ pilot/TV movie, Hooker, back in uniform, trains a group of police academy recruits, including those played by Richard Lawson, Brian Patrick Clarke, Kelly Harmon, and Adrian Zmed. Hal Williams plays a senior officer, and Richard Herd makes a brief appearance as Captain Dennis Sheridan, Hooker’s tough but understanding superior. During most of the series, Hooker is partnered with brash, sometimes hot-headed young rookie Vince Romano (played by Zmed). Hooker acts as his mentor both professionally and socially. The age difference generally being the key hook of the partnership, the pair quickly became fast friends and a good team.

Outside of his work, Hooker is divorced as a result of his work putting a strain on his marriage, but he is friendly with his ex-wife Fran, a nurse. A ladies’ man, Hooker is still trying to adjust to being single again. Lee Bryant was the original actress to portray Fran; the part is later played by Leigh Christian.

Watchable 6.5/10

Main cast

• William Shatner as Sergeant Thomas Jefferson “T. J.” Hooker
• Adrian Zmed as Officer Vincent “Vince” Romano (Seasons 1–4)
• April Clough as Officer Vicki Taylor (Season 1)
• Heather Locklear as Officer Stacy Sheridan (Seasons 2–5)
• Richard Herd as Captain Dennis Sheridan (main cast Seasons 1–2, occasional special guest star Seasons 3–4)
• James Darren as Officer Jim Corrigan (Seasons 2–5)