NYPD Blue is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble cast. The show was created by Steven Bochco and David Milch, and was inspired by Milch's relationship with Bill Clark, a former member of the New York City Police Department, who eventually became one of the show's producers. The series was originally broadcast by ABC from September 21, 1993‚ to March 1, 2005. It was ABC's longest-running primetime one-hour drama series until Grey's Anatomy surpassed it in 2016.

NYPD Blue was met with critical acclaim, praised for its grittiness and realistic portrayal of the cast's personal and professional lives. However, the show garnered controversy for its depictions of nudity and alcoholism. In 1997, "True Confessions" (season one, episode four), written by Art Monterastelli and directed by Charles Haid, was ranked number 36 on "TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time". In 2009, "Hearts and Souls" (season six, episode five), Jimmy Smits' final episode as a main cast member, ranked 30th on TV Guide's "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time".