Since its debut in March 2002, "The Shield" has been one of the most critically acclaimed series on television. In the 20-plus year history of basic cable, no series had ever won a major Emmy award, much less been nominated, that was, until "The Shield" came along. The show has broken down barriers for its basic cable brethren by becoming the first series from an ad-supported cable network to ever receive major nominations at the Emmy Awards. Then, Michael Chiklis did what many believed was the impossible by wining the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. "The Shield" was the first basic cable program ever to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Series.
Michael Chiklis returned for season three of "The Shield" starring as 'Detective Vic Mackey," leader of the elite Strike Team unit who operates the precinct strike force under his own set of rules. Chiklis turned in a history-making performance as the rogue detective.
Award-winning actress CCH Pounder plays 'Detective Claudette Wyms," a veteran detective who knows how to play both sides of the fence in "The Shield."
Benito Martinez plays 'Captain David Aceveda' on "The Shield." Martinez received the NOSOTROS Golden Eagle Margo and Eddie Albert Award last year for excellence in television for his performance on "The Shield."
Jay Karnes plays the complicated, by the book 'Detective Holland "Dutch" Wagenback' who is partnered with 'Detective Claudette Wyms.'
Walton Goggins plays 'Detective Shane Vendrell,' who was the first detective to be recruited by 'Detective Vic Mackey' to join the elite Strike Team Unit. He plays as hard as he works and can be a bit of a loose cannon.
Kenneth Johnson plays 'Detective Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky.' "Lemonhead" is a member of 'Vic Mackey's' elite Strike Team, providing muscle and a laid back attitude that disappears when the situation turns hairy.
Catherine Dent continues to be in demand for interesting, often dark and edgy projects in addition to her role as 'Officer Danielle "Danny" Sofer.' Last fall she was seen in Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's critically acclaimed "21 Grams," playing on the other side of the law as a drug dealer, co-starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts. She also appeared in Paul Schrader's sexually charged "Autofocus" in 2002.
Michael Jace plays 'Officer Julien Lowe' who has risen to the rank of P-2 uniform cop and works with a newfound confidence and determination to keep the streets of Farmington safe. Jace co-starred in Warner Bros. "Cradle to the Grave" with Jet Li and DMX. He also co-starred in 20th Century Fox's blockbuster "Planet of the Apes" directed by Tim Burton, "The Replacements" with Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman.
