Pairing Detectives Trivia Quiz

Answer: Booth and Brennan

The protagonist of the TV series "Bones" (2005-2017) was Dr Temperance 'Bones' Brennan, portrayed by American actress Emily Deschanel. A police procedural where each episode, FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) brought human remains to Brennan for her to work her forensic anthropology skills on.

The series was based on novels written by Kathy Reichs, herself a forensic anthropologist. The character Brennan also wrote mystery novels where the protagonist was a fictional forensic anthropologist named Kathy Reichs.

The Booth/Brennan dynamic could be characterised as a slow-burning romance.

Answer: McNulty and Moreland

The crime drama "The Wire" (2002-2008) ran for five seasons. It consisted of a large ensemble cast. The characters Jimmy McNulty and Bunk Moreland appeared in all seasons as protagonists. They were detectives in the Homicide Unit of the Baltimore Police Department. Friends and partners, they both had problems with alcohol and infidelity but generally shared a sarcastic camaraderie. Tensions could arise because Moreland was more respectful of the chain of command.

Answer: Crockett and Tubbs

The crime drama "Miami Vice" (1984-1989) centred on two undercover detectives, James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs from the Metro-Dade Police Department, although they met when Tubbs was an undercover officer for the NYPD pursuing his brother's murderer.

They ended up partnered together after Tubbs transferred to Miami. After an initial reluctance, a mutual respect and trust gradually developed into a deep interethnic partnership of near-equal status.

Answer: Castle and Beckett

The crime mystery drama "Castle" (2009-2016) ran for 8 seasons, following the lives of mystery novelist Richard Castle and Kate Beckett, a New York City homicide detective, as they went about solving various unusual crimes. Initially prickly at having to work with the writer, Beckett and Castle eventually developed feelings for each other.

The ongoing themes were their romance and their investigation into the death of Beckett's mother.

Answer: David and DiNozzo

Starting in 2003, the military police procedural TV series "NCIS" followed the lives of a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS). The two characters, Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, shared screen time during seasons 3-11 and at times during seasons 16 and 17. Fans labelled them 'Tiva' (short for Tony and Ziva) and were reportedly keen to see a romantic relationship develop.

They eventually obliged, although there were work-related complications. A spin-off series, "NCIS: Tony & Ziva," premiered in 2025.

Answer: Benson and Stabler

The characters Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler appeared together during the first 12 seasons of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" from 1999. Stabler disappeared abruptly at the end of season 12 in 2011. This period in their relationship has been characterised as a decade-long slow burn.

The Stabler character appeared again in 2021 in the "Law & Order: Organized Crime" spin-off, and since then, the two characters have shared the screen from time to time with Benson appearing as a crossover star from "SVU." They have had a complicated history.

Answer: Simone and Sipowicz

The police drama "NYPD Blue" ran from 1993 to 2005, with the detective Andy Sipowicz appearing in all 12 seasons, the only character to do so. He started off as a secondary character but became the main protagonist midway through. Detective Bobby Simone joined him during the second season, lasting until episode six of the fifth season.

Their initial tension developed into a deep friendship, supporting each other personally and professionally. Simone's sensitivity and street smarts helped smooth Sipowicz's rough edges.

Answer: Briscoe and Curtis

The original series of the police procedural and legal drama "Law & Order" ran from 1990 to 2010. It was revived in 2022 and was the first of the "Law & Order" franchise series. Lennie Briscoe and Rey Curtis appeared in seasons 3-12 and 6-9 respectively, as well as the 1998 film "Exiled: A Law & Order Movie". Curtis became Briscoe's partner after Briscoe's previous partner Mike Logan was transferred.

A strong partnership developed based on mutual respect and camaraderie. Briscoe often provided guidance and support to the more junior detective Curtis.

Answer: Hunter and McCall

The US crime drama "Hunter" ran from 1984 to 1991 with Rick Hunter as a tough 'Dirty Harry'-type character. He is forced to work with a partner, namely Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (nicknamed 'The Brass Cupcake', in effect a 'Dirty Harriet') was equally unhappy with the arrangement.

They grew on each other and became a highly effective team. Although they had a brief romance, they decided to focus on their professional partnership.

Answer: Cagney and Lacey

The multi-award-winning police procedural drama "Cagney & Lacey" followed the lives of the two titular New York City detectives. One is a career-minded single woman, and the other is a married working mother with strong ethics, namely Mary Beth Lacey.

The Cagney role was filled by Loretta Swit in the pilot movie and then Meg Foster in the first six episodes. Foster was dropped in favour of Gless when the ratings for the series did not meet expectations. Gless owned the role thereafter, portraying the career woman Christine Cagney. Gless and Tyne also reprised their roles in four TV movies.