A 1990s ABC police procedural co-created by Steven Spielberg and starring Cole Hauser provided the structural blueprint for ABC's ongoing hit drama The Rookie, according to ScreenRant.
The series, titled High Incident, aired for two seasons and comprised 32 episodes.
It followed uniformed officers of the fictional El Camino Police Department, a stand-in for Los Angeles, California.
Shared DNA With The Rookie
High Incident centered on the early career of rookie officer Randy Willitz, played by Hauser, as he received training from senior officers while responding to high-intensity emergency calls across the municipality.
The show shared key structural elements with The Rookie, including a Southern California setting and a focus on uniformed patrol officers rather than detectives.
It also featured active duty field training and a ride-along format that tracked officers on and off duty.
Spielberg created the series alongside Eric Bogosian, who later portrayed Captain Danny Ross on Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
The collaboration brought a focus on realism and the daily struggles of law enforcement within local communities.
Prior to his lead role as Rip Wheeler on Yellowstone, Hauser worked as a character actor with roles in feature films including Dazed and Confused and Good Will Hunting.
The Rookie currently continues its run with its ninth season on ABC.
