The Beverly Hills Cop franchise, which began in 1984 with Eddie Murphy starring as the charismatic Detroit cop Axel Foley, has had its share of ups and downs. One of the lesser-known chapters in this franchise is the attempted TV series that never came to fruition.
The Concept and Casting
In the late 2000s, after several failed attempts to relaunch the Beverly Hills Cop film series, Paramount decided to pivot the franchise to television. However, Eddie Murphy was not interested in starring in a TV show, so the producers opted to center the series around Axel's son, Aaron Foley, played by Brandon T. Jackson.
The TV pilot, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, known for his work on Big , When Harry Met Sally , and Men in Black , featured Eddie Murphy in a guest role to help establish the series as a legitimate continuation of the franchise. Despite this, Murphy made it clear he would not be a regular part of the show.
Test Audiences and the Decision Not to Proceed
When the pilot was screened for test audiences, the reaction was mixed. While audiences were delighted to see Eddie Murphy reprise his role as Axel Foley, they were less enthusiastic about the rest of the show. The presence of Murphy in the pilot became a double-edged sword; audiences expected him to be a regular part of the series, which was not the case.
Murphy himself explained in interviews that the studio's expectation that he would make recurring appearances was a major issue. He stated that whenever Axel Foley appeared on screen, the audience reaction was overwhelmingly positive, but this created unrealistic expectations for the series.
The pilot, which is now available on YouTube, highlights the challenges faced by the show. Brandon T. Jackson, who played Aaron Foley, lacked the charisma and dynamic presence that Eddie Murphy brought to the role of Axel Foley, making the show feel like a substitute rather than a genuine continuation.
Creative Pedigree and Final Outcome
Despite the creative pedigree of the show, including production by Shawn Ryan, the creator of The Shield and The Night Agent , and direction by Barry Sonnenfeld, CBS ultimately decided not to pick up the series. The pilot's failure to impress beyond Eddie Murphy's appearances sealed its fate.
The Beverly Hills Cop TV show remains an interesting footnote in the history of the franchise, a project that had potential but ultimately could not overcome the shadow of its iconic predecessor.
