PREMIERE

DETECTIVE JIM DUNBAR JOINS A NEW SQUAD AFTER BEING BLINDED IN A SHOOTOUT, ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC'S "BLIND JUSTICE"

First Regular ABC Series to Be Offered with Video Description

From Steven Bochco, the award-winning producer of such critically acclaimed and popular series as "NYPD Blue" and "Hill Street Blues," comes the next generation of police drama -- "Blind Justice." Starring Ron Eldard ("ER," "The House of Sand and Fog"), "Blind Justice" chronicles the journey of Detective Jim Dunbar, an officer blinded in a shootout because of his partner's negligence. Refusing retirement after his injury, Dunbar instead fights to remain on the job, challenging preconceived stereotypes and conventional wisdom. Ultimately successful in his attempt to win reinstatement of his badge, Dunbar is assigned to a new precinct, where everyone says they respect his heroism, but where few are willing to accept him as an equal. "Blind Justice" premieres TUESDAY, MARCH 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," the newest victim of a serial killer is found brutally murdered. Detective Karen Bettancourt (Marisol Nichols), who had been working for eight months with Detectives Tom Selway (Reno Wilson) and Marty Russo (Frank Grillo) on the case, now finds herself re-assigned by the precinct's Lieutenant, Fisk (Michael Gaston), to partner with Dunbar on the investigation of a stolen car. Just as a resentful Bettancourt begins to think she's being completely marginalized in this new dynamic, Dunbar discovers that the stolen car may be connected with the string of murders.

"Blind Justice" stars Ron Eldard as Detective Jim Dunbar, Marisol Nichols as Detective Karen Bettancourt, Rena Sofer as Christie Dunbar, Reno Wilson as Detective Tom Selway, Frank Grillo as Detective Marty Russo and Michael Gaston as Lieutenant Fisk.

Guest-starring are Sonny Marinelli as Terry Jansen, John Centiempo as uniform, Christine Toy Johnson as reporter, Adam Kulbersh as reporter, Don Clark Williams as reporter, Kate Reinders as Kim Chenowith, John Michael Bolger as uniform, Eden Rountree as Paula Wheaton, Saul Rubinek as Alan Galloway, Guy Torry as Eddie, Shawn Doyle as Randy Lyman, Zhao Mao as Lo-Hop father and Deborah Teng as Lo-Hop daughter.

"Pilot" story by Steven Bochco, Matt Olmstead and Nicholas Wootton, with teleplay by Nicholas Wootton and Matt Olmstead.

"Blind Justice" is created by Steven Bochco along with Nicholas Wootton and Matt Olmstead. Bill Clark and John Badham also serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Steven Bochco Productions in association with Paramount Network Television for ABC.

"Blind Justice" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and video description. This program contains partial nudity. Viewer discretion is advised. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.