The script for the movie was written in the mid-1970s. It took many years for the script to be produced because the networks felt that there was no audience for a realistic show about policewomen (except for the popular four-season drama Police Woman (1974)). When this TV movie aired, it was a ratings smash and inspired a successful series of the same name.
The original choice to play Chris Cagney was Sharon Gless. She was not available because of her contract to Universal. Gless eventually played the part in the series based on this film.
Co-star Loretta Swit (Chris Cagney) appeared here in the hiatus between seasons 9 and 10 of M*A*S*H (1972), where she was a key cast member as Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan. M*A*S*H producers would not release Swit from her contract, and she was unable to reprise her role as Cagney when the television series launched.
When this pilot movie was picked up as a series, only Tyne Daly (Mary Beth Lacey), Al Waxman (Lt. Bert Samuels), Carl Lumbly (Mark Petrie), and Harvey Atkin (Desk Sgt. Ronald Coleman) returned. Some performers, most notably Loretta Swit (Christine Cagney), were willing but contractually unable.
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