Why Aren't You Watching: Copper

BBC America began airing original dramas last year, in addition to their typical rebroadcasting of British shows like Doctor Who, and if the quality of their first two series are any indication,  they will quickly ascend into the ranks of AMC and FX as a cable channel with excellent dramas. Their first entry into original programming was last summer's Copper (the second, clone-conspiracy-thriller Orphan Black, recently wrapped up a phenomenal first season and might actually be worth checking out first), which returns for a second season this Sunday at 10pm, and can essentially be described as Homicide meets Gangs of New York. While that basic premise of following the 1860s police investigations is pretty compelling on its own, Copper moves beyond simple procedural to delve into the lives of its various characters with twisty serialized storylines as well.

The show centers on New York City detective Kevin "Corky" Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones), a brash, but honorable Irish immigrant who served the union in the civil war. He's a particularly effective detective in a time where threats and violence are appropriate interrogation techniques, where the use of brass knuckles or a cane/club are not only accepted, but down right necessary in a city teeming with racial, ethnic, and national turmoil. In addition to brute force, Corky also relies on his friend Dr. Matthew Freeman (Ato Essandoh), a member of his Regiment in the war, for some pre-forensic style crime scene and corpse analysis that he passes off as his own due diligence to his superior, since these methods are not yet respected by the police department. Through Freeman we witness some of the struggles of being black in 19th century New York, as he leaves the city for a more solemn and peaceful life with his wife Sara in the country, though it unfortunately is not always that safe either. Corky's friends also include his partners on the force, low class-but earnest detective  Francis Maguire (Kevin Ryan) and the physically imposing-but henpecked husband Andrew O'Brien (Dylan Taylor). These two accompany Kevin on many of his cases, particularly his top priority of discovering who killed his daughter and what happened to his wife, who was gone when he returned from the war.

Kevin's loss of his own daughter spurs his keen interest in a case involving another young girl, the orphan Annie Reilly (Kiara Glasco), whom he protects and sets up to live in the upper class home of Elizabeth Haverford (Anastasia Griffith), despite her protests. Elizabeth seems to have taken a special liking to Corky, but she's not alone, as the local Madam, the scheming Eva Heissen (Franka Potente), harbors deep affection and a severe longing for the romantically (though not sexually) disinterested detective. The cast is rounded out by another former Regiment member and current friend, the wealthy heir Robert Morehouse (Kyle Schmid), who owes a great debt to Corky and Freeman for saving his life by amputating his leg on the battlefield. Morehouse is another valuable asset for the detective when his investigations lead him from the poverty and violence stricken Five Points to the posh Uptown neighborhood, as his time in the war has widened his privileged perception to embrace equality among the various nationalities. The typically fun-loving Morehouse also becomes embroiled in the shady dealings of his disapproving aristocratic father and a top secret confederate plot to attack New York as well.

While Copper does excel as an intriguing period procedural, with fresh cases full of unpredictable turns, its fully realized characters and ongoing storylines are what really keep you invested in the series. Some procedural cases even spill over into subsequent episodes or, as with the Annie Reilly storyline, become serialized elements of the show. In addition to the stellar writing and acting, near-cinematic production values make you feel as though you're right there among the gangs of New York, altogether making for a gripping cable drama that truly deserves to become a classic.