On November 6, 2009 ABC picked up five new projects from
Mandeville Films which included
Detroit 1-8-7, at the time called
"187 Detroit". ABC ordered the pilot of
Detroit 1-8-7 on January 4, 2010.
Jon Michael Hill was the first person cast for the show in late January. Nellie Andreeva, then of
The Hollywood Reporter, reported on January 27, 2010 that the lead role in
Detroit 1-8-7 had been offered to British actor
Jason Isaacs.
Aisha Hinds,
Natalie Martinez, and
D.J. Cotrona were all cast in February 2010. It was announced on night of March 2, 2010 that
Michael Imperioli joined the cast of
Detroit 1-8-7. Three days later it was announced that
James McDaniel,
Shaun Majumder, and
Erin Cummings had been cast in the remaining principal roles of
Detroit 1-8-7. The character Detective Louis Fitch was originally named Joseph Fitch and the Wayne County Medical Examiner's name was Dr. Hailey Cork in the pilot. The pilot was filmed in
Atlanta, Georgia in March 2010. On May 18, 2010 it was confirmed that ABC had picked up
Detroit 1-8-7 for the 2010–11 TV season. Although the pilot episode was shot in Atlanta, the series is filmed in Detroit. Originally planned as a
mockumentary, ABC decided to abandon the format after the
Detroit Police Department suspended real-life documentary ridealongs by camera crews after a controversial police shooting during filming of the
A&E documentary series
The First 48. The casting call for extras in Detroit was announced on June 18, 2010. Production on the series began on July 20, 2010. Scenes from the pilot were re-shot to remove the mockumentary format before the episode aired. The next morning it was a recurring topic on local radio station
WDZH (98.7 AMP) about which is the proper term for
soft drink in Detroit, "soda" or "pop". The winner was "pop". The character Pooch was also in the seventh episode and that time he asked for a "pop". At the end of the season 1 finale, Detective Fitch asks his son if he would like to get a Coney and soda, to which his son replies that "they don't say soda here, they say pop...everyone knows that", as Detective Fitch nods and smiles. The series also featured real Detroit ABC affiliate
WXYZ-TV, real Detroit newspaper
The Detroit News, real Detroit colleges
University of Detroit Mercy and
Wayne State University and several
Motown Records artists' music. Landmarks shown include
Comerica Park,
Ford Field, the
Renaissance Center, and
Michigan Central Station.
Music The score is composed by Dave Kushner and John O'Brien.
Detroit 1-8-7 has been noted for its usage of
Motown music in its episodes. Motown music featured in
Detroit 1-8-7 includes "
Ball of Confusion" by
The Temptations, "
Higher Ground" and "
Living for the City" by
Stevie Wonder. The
ringtone on Detective Washington's phone in the first episode is "
Baby Love" by
The Supremes. ;List of music used in
Detroit 1-8-7 Episode 1: "Pilot" • Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground" • The Temptations, "Papa was a Rolling Stone" •
J Dilla, "It's Like That" •
The Black Keys, "
Howlin' for You" •
Blakroc, "Done Did It" Episode 2: "Local Hero / Overboard" •
James Brown, "
The Payback" •
Aretha Franklin, "
Drown in My Own Tears" Episode 3: "Nobody's Home / Unknown Soldier" •
The Staple Singers, "
I'll Take You There" • Stevie Wonder, "Living for the City" Episode 4: "Royal Bubbles / Needle Drop" •
Kem, "
Love Never Fails" •
Big B, "Hot Woman" •
Rahsaan Patterson, "Oh Lord Take Me Back" •
Patsy Cline, "
Crazy" •
Frightened Rabbit, "Yes I Would" •
The Temptations, "
My Girl" (Italian version) Episode 5: "Murder in Greektown / High School Confidential" •
Amanda Blank, "Gimme What You Got" Episode 6: "Lost Child / Murder 101" •
John Legend and the Roots, "Compared to What" •
Mos Def, "Quiet Dog" •
Jay Dee, "Pause" • The Black Keys, "
Things Ain't Like They Used To Be" Episode 7: "Broken Engagement / Trashman" •
Eminem, "
Not Afraid" •
The Dramatics, "
Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" Episode 8: "Deja Vu / All In" •
Andre Williams, "I Don't Need Mary" • Tara Holloway, "Temptation Took Control of Me & I Fell" • Bohannon, "South African Man" • Mojo Monkeys, "Girl Might Do" •
Cee Lo Green, "
Die Tryin'" Episode 9: "Home Invasion / Drive-By" •
The Heavy, "Colleen" •
Black Milk, "Keep Bouncin'" •
Obie Trice, "There They Go" Episode 10: "Shelter" •
Sam Roberts, "
Detroit '67" •
Ray Charles, "Drown in My Own Tears" •
Gil Scott Heron, "We Almost Lost Detroit This Time" Episode 11: "Ice Man / Malibu" •
Bettye LaVette, "Joy" •
Ornette Coleman, "Rejoicing" •
Marvin Gaye, "
Baby Don't You Do It" Episode 12: "Key to the City" •
Sly & the Family Stone, "In Time" •
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, "I'm Broke" Episode 13: "Road to Nowhere" •
The Dead Weather, "Hustle and Cuss" •
Corinne Bailey Rae, "Love's on Its Way" Episode 14: "Beaten / Cover Letter" •
Fabolous, "My Time" • Aretha Franklin, "Soul Serenade" Episode 15: "Legacy / Drag City" • Cee Lo Green, "
Bright Lights Bigger City" •
LaBelle, "
Lady Marmalade" Episode 16: "Stone Cold" •
Otis Redding, "
I've Been Loving You Too Long" Episode 17: "Motor City Blues" •
Gnarls Barkley, "
Who's Gonna Save My Soul" (Demo Version) •
SubNoize Souljaz feat. Big B, Dirtball & Daddy X, "On Da Rize" •
Glen Hansard, "Falling Slowly" Episode 18: "Blackout" • Bobby Blue Band, "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" •
Radiohead, "
Reckoner" •
Gloriæ Dei Cantores, "Three Choruses from Tsar Feodor Ioannovich : I. Bogoroditse Devo – Rejoice, O Virgin" ==Broadcasting==