D.E.A. is an American drama series which was aired on Fox as part of its 1990-91 lineup. D.E.A. was based on true stories of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Shot in cinéma vérité style, the program combined recreated scenes using actors with actual surveillance footage and film of actual newscasts covering the stories depicted. Fox apparently had considerable confidence in this concept. When the initial version garnered low ratings and was put on hiatus, before its return the program was retooled into DEA—Special Task Force, which placed more emphasis on the agents' personal lives and showed less graphic violence. The revamped show premiered in April 1991, but also failed to achieve significant ratings and the program was canceled for good in June 1991. Cast Jenna Gago as Teresa Robles Tom Mason as Bill Stadler Miguel Sandoval as Rafael Cordera Alan Scarfe as Schliemann Byron Keith Minns as Jimmy Sanders Christopher Stanley as Nick Biaggi David Wohl as Phil Jacobs Episodes Production The original concept of the show came from showrunner/creator Richard DiLello, who claimed that he'll create a hybrid format for the show that will combine elements of documentary (including newsreel footage and interviews) with drama. The project was soon pitched to Lorimar Television, which was in turn pitched to the fast-growing Fox Broadcasting Company. On May 14, 1990, the Fox Broadcasting Company announced that they would pick up the series for the new Friday night schedule, alongside reality program America's Most Wanted, which was shown at 8:00-9:00pm. Reception The show received mostly positive reviews by critics. The San Francisco Examiner called the show "the biggest breakthrough of the new season." See also 1990 in television References Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present External links 1990s American drama television series Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios 1990 American television series debuts 1991 American television series endings Drug Enforcement Administration in fiction English-language television shows Fox Broadcasting Company original programming Television shows set in New York City