The series is BBC America's first original scripted program after previously only airing shows from the United Kingdom and co-productions. Fontana, Rokos, Barry Levinson and Christina Wayne are executive producers of the series.
The first season of 10 episodes premiered on August 19, 2012. The series was renewed for a second season of 13 episodes, which premiered on June 23, 2013.[2]
On September 19, 2013, Copper's cancellation was announced, 3 days before its second season finale aired.[3]
BBC America announced the series during the Television Critics Association (TCA) summer press tour on July 28, 2011.[5] General manager Perry Simon said the series is a "great fit" for the network as it "[captures] the early American multicultural experience in provocative, ground-breaking fashion".[6] Series creators Tom Fontana and Will Rokos are joined as executive producers by Barry Levinson and Cineflix Studios president Christina Wayne.[7] Additional members of the production team include Steven Cosens as director of photography, Delphine White as costume designer, and John Blackie as production designer.[8]
In January 2012, the main cast of the series—comprising Weston-Jones, Schmid, Griffith, and Potente—was unveiled.[8] The actors hail from a variety of backgrounds: Weston-Jones and Griffith are British; Potente is German; and Schmid is Canadian.[9] Irish actor Kevin Ryan and American actress Tessa Thompson also joined as series regulars.[10][11]
Copper premiered on August 19, 2012, on BBC America in the United States[14] and in Canada on August 26, 2012, on Showcase.[15] It is also broadcast in Australia on FX Australia and on HBO in the Netherlands.[16][17] On September 19, 2013, BBC America announced that Copper would end its run after the Season 2 finale, stating that the series had reached “a fitting moment to conclude”.[18]
