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Gabriel's Fire was an American television series that ran on ABC in the USA in 1990–1991. Under a new title and a somewhat revised premise, it also aired in 1991–1992 as Pros and Cons.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Cast 3 Awards 4 Reference 5 External links

The main character, Gabriel Bird, was played by James Earl Jones. He was a former Chicago police officer who had been wrongfully sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his partner. In fact, he shot his partner because he saw that the partner was about to murder an innocent family in cold blood during a police raid. This incident in the character's background was inspired by the 1969 death of Fred Hampton at the hands of Chicago police and other law enforcement personnel. On the show, the street on which Bird's shooting occurred was identified as "Hampton Street".

When Bird is released, he starts working as a private detective, hired by the lawyer who had helped free him.

Bird is an (understandably) angry character, and the show as originally conceived was rather dark. In an attempt to lighten the premise somewhat, the next season Bird moved to Los Angeles, where he teamed up with another private eye, Mitch O'Hannon. Bird also married his love interest, Josephine, in October 1991. She had been the proprietress of a café where Bird had begun frequenting shortly after his release, at first for her good, homestyle cooking, but soon, primarily for her companionship.

In the episode "Birds Gotta Fly", directed by Mario Van Peebles which starred Academy Award winner Irene Cara as Bird's estranged daughter Celine was one of the most memorable episodes. It also starred movie and t.v. personality Michael Beach as Josephine's military-bound son and a very young Meagan Good in a bit part.

Bird's newfound happiness apparently did little for the ratings, and the program was canceled in January 1992.

• Gabriel Bird - James Earl Jones
• Jamil - Brian K. Grant (first season only)
• Victoria Heller - Laila Robins (first season only)
• Louis Klein - Dylan Walsh (first season only)
• Josephine - Madge Sinclair
• Mitch O'Hannon - Richard Crenna (second season only)

• James Earl Jones
  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1991)
  • Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie (1993)
• Madge Sinclair
  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1991)
• David Opatoshu
  • Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (1991); playing Max Goldstein in the episode "A Prayer For The Goldsteins"

• Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows

• Gabriel's Fire at the Internet Movie Database