The series was BBC America's first original scripted program after previously only airing co-productions and shows from the United Kingdom. Fontana, Rokos, Barry Levinson, and Christina Wayne were executive producers of the series.
The first season of 10 episodes premiered on August 19, 2012. The series was renewed for a second season of 13 episodes, which premiered on June 23, 2013.[2] On September 19, 2013, Copper's cancellation was announced, three days before its second-season finale aired.[3]
The series centers on Kevin "Corky" Corcoran, an Irish immigrant police detective trying to keep the peace in the historical Five Points neighborhood, in 1860s New York City. Initially, he is simultaneously searching for information on his wife, who disappeared, and daughter, who was killed, while he was fighting down south for the Union Army. The show explores the effects of the American Civil War as well as the social stratification involving New York's aristocracy and African American population.[4]
BBC America announced the series during the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer press tour, on July 28, 2011.[5] General Manager Perry Simon said the series is a "great fit" for the network, as it "[captures] the early American multicultural experience in provocative, ground-breaking fashion".[6] Series creators Tom Fontana and Will Rokos are joined as executive producers by Barry Levinson and Cineflix Studios president Christina Wayne.[7] Additional members of the production team include Steven Cosens as director of photography, Delphine White as costume designer, and John Blackie as production designer.[8]
In January 2012, the main cast of the series—comprising Weston-Jones, Schmid, Griffith, and Potente—was unveiled.[8] The actors hail from a variety of backgrounds: Weston-Jones and Griffith are British; Potente is German; and Schmid is Canadian.[9] Irish actor Kevin Ryan and American actress Tessa Thompson also joined as series regulars.[10][11]
Filming began in January 2012, in Toronto.[10][12] After naming it their "highest-rated drama series ever", BBC America ordered a second season of 13 episodes, which began airing in June 2013.[13]
Copper premiered August 19, 2012 on BBC America in the United States,[14] and August 26, 2012 on Showcase in Canada.[15] It is also broadcast on FX Australia in Australia and on HBO in the Netherlands.[16][17] On September 19, 2013, BBC America announced that Copper would end its run after the Season 2 finale, stating that the series had reached "a fitting moment to conclude".[18] A feature film was considered, but so far nothing has happened.[19]
On May 28, 2013, Valley Entertainment released Copper: Original Soundtrack, with music composed by Brian Keane, worldwide on CD and in digital formats.[20]
