Hardcastle and McCormick
Created by Stephen J. Cannell
On ABC
A breezy 1980s action-adventure buddy series pairing a retired judge with an ex-con in a formula of crime-solving and car chases, built on charm and camaraderie rather than depth.
Hardcastle and McCormick is an American action/drama television series from Stephen J. Cannell Productions, shown on ABC from 1983 through 1986. The series stars Brian Keith as Judge Milton C. Hardcastle and Daniel Hugh Kelly as ex-con and race car driver Mark "Skid" McCormick. The series premise was somewhat recycled from a previous Cannell series, Tenspeed and Brown Shoe.
Questions people ask
Is Hardcastle and McCormick sad? Barely. Less sad than 80% of series.
Does Hardcastle and McCormick leave you hopeful? Somewhat. More hopeful than 69% of series.
Is Hardcastle and McCormick easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 66% of series.
Is Hardcastle and McCormick violent? Somewhat. More violent than 64% of series.
Is Hardcastle and McCormick scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 59% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like Hardcastle and McCormick
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Hardcastle and McCormick
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Hardcastle and McCormick, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Hardcastle and McCormick, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Hardcastle and McCormick, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
