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{{short description|American television series}}
{{About||unsolved crimes|Cold case|other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Cold Case cover.jpg
| caption              = Promotional poster
| genre                = {{Plain list|
* [[Crime film|Crime drama]]
* [[Police procedural]]
* [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]
}}
| creator              = [[Meredith Stiehm]]
| starring             = {{Plain list|
* [[Kathryn Morris]]
* [[Justin Chambers]]
* [[Thom Barry]]
* [[John Finn]]
* [[Jeremy Ratchford]]
* [[Danny Pino]]
* [[Sarah Joy Brown|Sarah Brown]] 
* [[Tracie Thoms]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[E.S. Posthumus|Helmut and Franz Vonlichten]] with intro by [[Michael A. Levine]]
| opentheme            = ''Nara''
| composer             = [[Michael A. Levine]]
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 7
| num_episodes         = 156 <!-- as of 5/2/15 -->
| list_episodes        = List of Cold Case episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plain list|
* [[Meredith Stiehm]]
* [[Jerry Bruckheimer]]
* [[Jonathan Littman]]
}}
| producer             =
| location             = [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania
| camera               = 
| runtime              = 42–45 minutes
| company              = {{Plain list|
* [[Jerry Bruckheimer Television]]
* [[CBS Productions]] <br />(2003–2006) <br />(seasons 1–3)
* [[CBS Paramount Network Television]] <br />(2006–2009) <br />(seasons 4–6)
* [[CBS Television Studios]] <br />(2009–2010) <br />(season 7)
* [[Warner Bros. Television]]
}}
| network              = [[CBS]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2003|9|28}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2010|5|2}}
| related              = {{Plain list|
* ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]''
* ''[[CSI: Miami]]''
* ''[[CSI: NY]]''
* ''[[CSI: Cyber]]''
* ''[[CSI: Vegas]]''
* ''[[Without a Trace]]''
}}
}}

'''''Cold Case''''' is an American [[police procedural]] [[crime drama]] television series. It ran on [[CBS]] from September 28, 2003, to May 2, 2010. The series revolved around a fictionalized [[Philadelphia Police Department]] division that specializes in investigating [[cold case]]s, usually [[homicide]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=Cold Case |date=2003-09-28 |type=Crime, Drama, Mystery |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368479/?ref_=ttep_ov_bk |access-date=2025-08-09 |others=Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn |publisher=Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Warner Bros. Television, CBS Productions}}</ref> On May 18, 2010, the series was cancelled after seven seasons.

==Premise==
The show is set in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], and it follows Detective Lilly Rush ([[Kathryn Morris]]), a [[homicide]] detective with the Philadelphia Police Department, who specializes in cold cases, or investigations which are no longer being actively pursued by the department. Rush was initially partnered with Detective Chris Lassing ([[Justin Chambers]]) in the first five episodes and then with Detective Scotty Valens ([[Danny Pino]]) for the remainder of the series. They work under Lieutenant John Stillman ([[John Finn]]) and are assisted by other detectives from their squad—Nick Vera ([[Jeremy Ratchford]]), Will Jeffries ([[Thom Barry]]), and beginning in season three, Kat Miller ([[Tracie Thoms]]).<ref name=":0" />

Usually, each episode would focus on a single investigation. All cases involved murders committed (or bodies found) in Philadelphia, although investigations occasionally required travel outside the city. Cases were also spread out over much of the previous century, with some as recent as a year or two old and others dating back to the 1910s. Generally, an investigation would begin when the police received a new lead, or new direction, on a case.

Over the course of the episode, the detectives would interview witnesses associated with the crime and piece together the story of what led the victims to their death. These interviews were accompanied by flashback sequences to the era of the murder, which dramatized the testimony. Through the flashbacks, the show examined many issues related to 20th century history, including [[racism]], [[homophobia]], [[transphobia]], [[sexism]], [[abortion]], and [[police brutality]].

The show was distinguished by double casting, in which the characters and witnesses would flash back and forth in the scene representing them as they looked at the time of the crime and in the present day. At the end of the episode, when the killer or killers were exposed and confronted, the confession would be in a flashback scene depicting the murder. The police would be shown arresting the killer and walking them into custody.  The victims would sometimes also reappear as fading visions to one of the police officers.

==Music==
The theme song is an excerpt from "Nara" by [[E.S. Posthumus]], with an introduction by series composer [[Michael A. Levine]] that begins with an otherworldly wail from vocalist Elise Morris. Besides Levine's original music, each episode makes extensive use of era-appropriate music for flashbacks to the year in question. Some episodes contain music only from one artist such as [[Ray Charles]], [[U2]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[The Doors]], [[John Mellencamp]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Bob Seger]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[Tim McGraw]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Santana (band)|Santana]], [[Frank Sinatra]] and [[John Lennon]]. [[Pearl Jam]]'s music was used in the two-part season-six finale, the first time one artist's music has been used for two full episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269170/pearl-jam-turns-ten-buzz-to-11-with-modern-rock-tracks-no-1-tv-and-gamer |title=Pearl Jam Turns "Ten" Buzz |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=March 19, 2009 |access-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref>

==Cast and characters==
{{Main|List of Cold Case characters}}

* [[Kathryn Morris]] as [[Lilly Rush (Cold Case)|Lilly Rush]], a Homicide Detective. Lilly first investigates a cold case during episode 1 of the series, and later continues to do so at her own request. In this capacity, Rush becomes the lead detective of the cold case division.
* [[Justin Chambers]] as [[Chris Lassing]], a detective. Lilly's original partner (Season 1).
* [[Danny Pino]] as [[Scotty Valens (Cold Case)|Scotty Valens]], a detective. Lilly's second partner.
* [[John Finn]] as [[John Stillman (Cold Case)|John Stillman]], a lieutenant and the head of Philadelphia Homicide Division. 
* [[Jeremy Ratchford]] as [[Nick Vera]], a detective assigned to Homicide. 
* [[Thom Barry]] as [[List of Cold Case characters#Will Jeffries|Will Jeffries]], a senior detective, and Philadelphia Homicide Division's assistant-supervisor.
* [[Tracie Thoms]] as [[Kat Miller]], a narcotics detective who later joins as a homicide detective (Seasons 3–7).

== Fictional universe ==
Danny Pino appeared as Valens in the ''[[CSI: NY]]'' episode "Cold Reveal". This episode connected ''Cold Case'' to not only ''CSI: NY'', but also to ''[[CSI: Miami]]'', ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'', ''[[CSI: Cyber]]'', ''[[CSI: Vegas]]'', and ''[[Without a Trace]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.poobala.com/csinyandcoldcase.html |publisher=[[Poobala]] |title=Crossover: CSI: NY and Cold Case |author=Thom Holbrook |date=May 2007 |access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
===Japanese adaptation===
A Japanese remake of the series, {{nihongo|''Cold Case: Shinjitsu no Tobira''|コールドケース 〜真実の扉〜}}, set in [[Yokohama]], was broadcast on cable network [[WOWOW|WOWOW Prime]] from October 22, 2016, to December 24, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japans-wowow-warner-bros-produce-886363 |title=Japan's Wowow and Warner Bros. to Co-Produce Local Version of 'Cold Case' |last=Blair |first=Gavin J. |date=20 April 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=27 February 2018 }}</ref><ref name="wowow-season1">{{cite web |title=連続ドラマW コールドケース ～真実の扉～｜WOWOW |url=https://www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/coldcase/ |website=WOWOW |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> A second season was broadcast from October 13, 2018, to December 15, 2018,<ref name="wowow-season2">{{cite web |title=連続ドラマW コールドケース2 ～真実の扉～｜WOWOW |url=https://www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/coldcase2/ |website=WOWOW |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> and a third season was broadcast from December 5, 2020, to February 13, 2021.<ref name="wowow-season3">{{cite web |title=WOWOW開局30周年記念 連続ドラマW コールドケース３ ～真実の扉～｜WOWOW |url=https://www.wowow.co.jp/dramaw/coldcase3/ |website=WOWOW |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> The second and third seasons are filmed in [[8K resolution|8K]] and downscaled to [[4K resolution|4K]] for broadcast.<ref name="avwatch2018">{{cite web |last1=Abe |first1=Kunihiro |title=8Kドラマ「コールドケース2」4Kサイマル配信。WOWOWで13日から10週連続実施 |url=https://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1145766.html |website=AV Watch |access-date=25 May 2020 |date=2 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="wowow-season3" />

===Russian adaptation===
''Cold Case'' was broadcast in Russia under the title ''Detective Rush''. Company Star Media produced a Russian adaptation of the series named ''Without Prescription'' (''Без срока давности'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemotionlab.com/consult/1574?&byGroup=11|title=Star Media ended production on Russian adaptation of American tv series 'Cold case'}}</ref> The show consisted of 25 episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.starmediafilm.ru/ru/project/bez_sroka_davnosti |title=Page of series ''Without prescription'' on Star Media website |access-date=2019-07-18 |archive-date=2012-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818143415/http://www.starmediafilm.ru/ru/project/bez_sroka_davnosti |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==''Cold Squad'' controversy==
{{Update|section|talk=2003 Copyright issue|date=September 2015}}
At the launch of ''Cold Case'' in July 2003, a Canadian journalist asked the launch panel about similarities between ''Cold Case'' and a Canadian series called ''[[Cold Squad]]'' which had debuted five years earlier.<ref name="tgm">{{cite news |last1=Doyle |first1=John |title=Cold Squad, Cold Case: Similar, or what? |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/cold-squad-cold-case-similar-or-what/article1341346/ |access-date=2 January 2022 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=12 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/stephen%20mchattie/ |publisher=[[TV Squad]] |title=The strange case of Cold Squad |author=Bob Sassone |date=September 18, 2006 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> ''Cold Squad'' fans accused the American series of copying the Canadian program's basic premise and characters. In 2003, the ''Cold Squad'' creators considered seeking legal redress against the ''Cold Case'' producers over copyright issues.<ref name="Playback">{{cite web |url=http://www.playbackonline.ca/articles/magazine/20031110/colds.html |work=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]] |title=Cold Squad on Bruckheimer Case |author=Ian Edwards |date=November 10, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_browndan/20031204.html |publisher=[[CBC News]] |title=The genius of Ratchford |author=Dan Brown |date=December 4, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> Both shows aired in Canada (and on the same network, CTV). In November 2003, the law firm O'Donnell & Schaeffer confirmed it agreed to represent the ''Cold Squad'' producers, who claimed the CBS series was a copy of their own hit show. ''The Globe and Mail'' reported that Meredith Stiehm, the American series creator, attended a TV writing seminar at the [[Canadian Film Centre]] in 2002 where the ''Cold Squad'' concept was discussed. O'Donnell lawyer, Carole Handler stated: "Our clients are very concerned about many striking similarities and have retained counsel to investigate the situation and, if necessary, to take appropriate action."<ref name="tgm" />

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Cold Case episodes}}
{{:List of Cold Case episodes}}

==U.S. television ratings==
:'''Note:''' ''Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May [[sweeps]].''

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#e0e0e0;"
! colspan="3"| Season
! | Timeslot
! | Season premiere
! | Season finale
! | Ranking
! | Rating
! | Viewers<br />(in millions)
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| style="background:teal; height:10px;"|
| '''1st'''
| [[2003–04 United States network television schedule|2003–2004]]
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| <small>Sunday 8:00&nbsp;p.m.</small>
| September 28, 2003
| May 23, 2004
! style="text-align:center" | #17
! style="text-align:center" | 9.3<ref name=PrimeTimeDirectoryRatings>{{cite book |title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows (1946—Present): Ninth Edition |last=Brooks |first=Tim |author-link=timbrooks.net |author2=Earle Marsh |year=2007 |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]] |location=United States |isbn=978-0-345-49773-4 |pages=1697–1698 }}<!--|access-date=March 5, 2012--></ref>
! style="text-align:center" | 14.18
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|  style="background:#004eff; height:10px;"|
| '''2nd'''
| [[2004–05 United States network television schedule|2004–2005]]
| October 3, 2004
| May 22, 2005
! style="text-align:center" | #14
! style="text-align:center" | 9.7<ref name=PrimeTimeDirectoryRatings />
! style="text-align:center" | 15.10
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|  style="background:#f00000; height:10px;"|
| '''3rd'''
| [[2005–06 United States network television schedule|2005–2006]]
| September 25, 2005
| May 21, 2006
! style="text-align:center" | #17
! style="text-align:center" | 9.3<ref name=PrimeTimeDirectoryRatings />
! style="text-align:center" | 14.24
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
|  style="background:#FCC200; height:10px;"|
| '''4th'''
| [[2006–07 United States network television schedule|2006–2007]]
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| <small>Sunday 9:00&nbsp;p.m.</small>
| September 24, 2006
| May 6, 2007
! style="text-align:center" | #16
! style="text-align:center" | 8.9<ref name=PrimeTimeDirectoryRatings />
! style="text-align:center" | 13.98
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| style="background:#000; height:10px;"|
| '''5th'''
| [[2007–08 United States network television schedule|2007–2008]]
| September 23, 2007
| May 4, 2008
! style="text-align:center" | #28
! style="text-align:center" | 7.1<ref name=TimBrooksRatings>{{cite web |author=Tim Brooks |date=6 September 2011|title=Top Rated TV Programs By Season (2007-2011) |url=http://www.timbrooks.net/ratings/ |work=Television and Record Industry History Resources |access-date=19 June 2012 }}</ref> 
! style="text-align:center" | 10.89
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| style="background:silver; height:10px;"|
| '''6th'''
| [[2008–09 United States network television schedule|2008–2009]]
| September 28, 2008
| May 10, 2009
! style="text-align:center" | #20
! style="text-align:center" | 7.5<ref name=TimBrooksRatings />
! style="text-align:center" | 12.00
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
| style="background:darkBlue; height:10px;"|
| '''7th'''
| [[2009–10 United States network television schedule|2009–2010]]
| ! style="background:#F9F9F9;font-size:11px;font-weight:normal;text-align:left;line-height:110%" | <small>Sunday 10:00&nbsp;p.m. (September 27, 2009 – November 15, 2009, February 14, 2010 – May 2, 2010)</small><br /><small>Sunday 9:00&nbsp;p.m. (November 22, 2009 – January 17, 2010)</small><br />
| September 27, 2009
| May 2, 2010<ref name="CBS 24809">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=24809 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121023249/http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_entertainment/release?id=24809 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |work=CBS Press Express |title=Valens Joins Forces with Rush to Find Her Abducted Drug-addicted Sister, and Jeffries Looks into a New Lead on the Case of a Murdered Teenaged Girl That Has Haunted Him for 17 Years, on the Seventh Season Finale, and Conclusion of a Two-part Episode, of "Cold Case," on Sunday, May 2 |access-date=30 July 2015 }}</ref>
! style="text-align:center" | #29
! style="text-align:center" | 6.3<ref name=TimBrooksRatings />
! style="text-align:center" | 9.86
|}

* In season 3 episode 9 called "A Perfect Day" ''Cold Case'' set a series rating record by attracting an audience of 19.36 million viewers.

===Cancellation===
''Cold Case'' began in September 2003 and quickly became a staple of the CBS Sunday night schedule. The crime drama had a successful first season and, by season two, was averaging a 3.5 rating in the 18–49 demographic and 15.1 million viewers. For the next couple seasons, total viewership fell slightly but the demographic numbers rose, reaching a 3.8 rating in season four.

In season five, the show averaged a 2.9 rating and just under 11 million viewers and ranked 28th. In season six, the ratings sank lower, to an average of a 2.7 rating but climbed up to 12 million viewers and ranked 20th. CBS made a choice between renewing ''[[Without a Trace]]'' and ''Cold Case''. They chose to keep ''Cold Case''. The real ratings trouble began in the final season, when the show's ratings dropped even further to a 2.15 rating in the 18–49 demographic and 9.6 million viewers. One reason for this is that the show aired at 10:00&nbsp;pm; the ratings dropped 25% to 9 million viewers.<ref name="tvseriesfinale.com">{{cite web |author=<!--Staff--> |date=22 May 2010 |title=Cold Case: CBS TV Show's Cancelled, No Season Eight |url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/cold-case-canceled-season-eight-15540/ |publisher=TV Series Finale |access-date=19 June 2012 }}</ref> On November 22, 2009, CBS made a final attempt to increase the ratings by scheduling ''Cold Case'' at 9:00&nbsp;pm. The ratings increased to 10 million viewers, but it was short-lived because on February 14, 2010, ''Cold Case'' returned to its original schedule, at 10:00&nbsp;pm and the ratings dropped. The show concluded its run in May 2010 ranking at #29. More than two weeks after the series finale aired, CBS announced the show would not be renewed for an eighth season.<ref name="tvseriesfinale.com"/>

On May 18, 2010, CBS announced the cancellation of the series after seven seasons and 156 episodes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/cbs-cancels-shows-including-ghost-53669 |title=CBS cancels seven shows, including "Ghost", "Case" |last=Hibberd |first=James |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 18, 2010}}</ref>

Since it had become customary to end each season with a [[cliffhanger]], season 7's final episode, "[[List of Cold Case episodes|Shattered]]", ended leaving viewers wondering about the fates of several characters. The cancellation of the show left those questions unresolved.

===Possible Revival/Reboot===
In April 2024, a revival of the series was under discussion, but in September 2024 ''Deadline'' reported that a deal for the proposed series could not be reached between Warner Brothers Television and CBS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2024-09-18 |title=Zarna Garg Multi-Cam Comedy From Darlene Hunt, Mindy Kaling & Kevin Hart In Works At CBS |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/zarna-garg-cbs-darlene-hunt-mindy-kaling-amp-kevin-hart-1236092437/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2024-04-12 |title='Cold Case' Reboot From Creator Meredith Stiehm Eyed By CBS |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/cold-case-reboot-cbs-meredith-stiehm-1235882730/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Distribution ==
=== Broadcast ===
The series aired in [[broadcast syndication|syndication]] on CBS, and also on [[Ion Television]] in the United States. and on [[Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel)|Viva]] in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368479/ |title=CBS canceled shows including ghost, case |last=James |first=Newton Howard |work=IGN |date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> [[Cloo|Sleuth]] also aired the series occasionally. In 2011, the show aired on [[MyNetworkTV]] until its removal a year later.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year=2012 |title=Home |url=http://www.mynetworktv.com/ |work=MyNetworkTV |access-date=19 June 2012}}</ref> The show made its debut on the new over-the-air channel [[Start TV]] when it launched on September 3, 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starttv.com/shows/cold-case | title=Cold Case }}</ref> It also airs on [[MBC Action]]. As of 2022, reruns are often shown on [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tntdrama.com/shows/cold-case-tnt | title=Cold Case - TNT }}</ref>

===Home media and streaming===
After the program's debut in 2003, the show was not released on [[DVD]] or [[Blu-ray]] due to licensing issues related to the use of contemporary music in each episode.

In May 2020, the [[Roku#The Roku Channel|Roku Channel]] in the United States released all episodes of ''Cold Case'' to stream for the first time, in a [[High-definition television|high-definition]] digital format, with full subtitles and all contemporary music from the original CBS broadcasts left intact.<ref name="Frederick">{{cite web|url=https://precincttv.com/2020/05/05/cold-case-series-streaming-roku/|title=Cold Case complete series now streaming on Roku|last=Frederick|first=Brittany|date=May 5, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2020}}</ref> The streaming ended in December 2020. The show returned to the service in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roku |url=https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/720c85b81fcc5e70b898cb453fadca05/cold-case}}</ref>

''Cold Case'' was made available for streaming on [[HBO Max]] (at the time called Max) as of June 19, 2023.

All seasons of ''Cold Case'' are also available to stream on [[Amazon Prime]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Latin America]] and [[India]].

The series also airs on [[Quest Red]] in the United Kingdom and available for streaming on [[Discovery+]].

==Awards and nominations==
{{unreferenced section|date=January 2020}}

===Awards===
;[[ASCAP Award]]
* Top TV Series – (2004)
* Top TV Series – (2005)
* Top TV Series – (2006)
* Top TV Series – (2007)
* Top TV Series – (2008)
* Top TV Series – (2009)

;[[GLAAD Media Awards]]
* Outstanding Individual Episode (In a Series Without a Regular Gay Character) – For episode "Best Friends". (2006)

;[[Image Awards]]
* Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series – Paris Barclay (2006)

;[[Imagen Foundation Awards]]
* Best Actor, Television – Danny Pino (2010)

===Nominations===
;ALMA Awards
* Outstanding Actor in a Drama Television Series – Danny Pino (2008)

;ASC Awards
* Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series (For episode "Time To Hate") (2004)

;[[ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards|Excellence in Production Design Award]]
* Television – Single Camera Television Series (For episode "Factory Girls") (2005)

;CDG Awards
* Outstanding Costume Design for Television Series – Period/Fantasy (2005)
* Outstanding Costume Design for Television Series – Period/Fantasy (2006)
* Outstanding Costume Design for Television Series – Period/Fantasy (2007)

;GLAAD Media Awards
* Outstanding Individual Episode (In a Series Without a Regular Gay Character) (For episode "A Time to Hate") (2004)
* Outstanding Individual Episode (In a Series Without a Regular Gay Character) (For episode "It's Raining Men") (2005)
* Outstanding Individual Episode (In a Series Without a Regular Gay Character) (For episode "Daniela") (2005)
* Outstanding Individual Episode (For episode "Forever Blue") (2007)
* Outstanding Individual Episode (in a Series without a Regular LGBT Character) (For episode "Boy Crazy") (2008)

;[[Emmy Awards|Emmy]]
* Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series – Corey Kaplan, Sandy Getzler, & Timothy Stepeck (2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/cold-case |title=Cold Case - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins &#124; Television Academy |publisher=Emmys.com |date= |access-date=2022-09-01}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
A soundtrack CD was released in 2008 by Lakeshore Records, featuring incidental music composed by Michael A. Levine from the first four seasons, as well as the song 300 Flowers, sung by Robbyn Kirmsse.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lakeshore-records.com/coldcase/ |title=Cold Case Soundtrack page at Lakeshore Records |date=November 11, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031071618/http://www.lakeshore-records.com/coldcase |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline        = <big>Track listing</big>
| title1          = Late Returns
| length1         = 3:06
| title2          = The Good Death
| length2         = 4:12
| title3          = The Park
| length3         = 1:08
| title4          = Detective's Reprise
| length4         = 1:40
| title5          = Sister Vivian's Flashback
| length5         = 1:04
| title6          = Yo, Adrian <small>(featuring Elin Carlson)</small>
| length6         = 1:13
| title7          = Churchgoing People
| length7         = 1:52
| title8          = Gwen & Rush
| length8         = 0:56
| title9          = The Professor
| length9         = 3:15
| title10         = Sadie's Blues <small>(featuring Carmen Twillie)</small>
| length10        = 3:47
| title11         = Forever Blue
| length11        = 4:59
| title12         = Bad Night <small>(featuring Robbyn Kirmsse)</small>
| length12        = 2:02
| title13         = Fireflies
| length13        = 1:51
| title14         = Carl's Recollection 
| length14        = 3:42
| title15         = Saving Sammy 
| length15        = 3:30
| title16         = Freely's Flashback
| length16        = 2:07
| title17         = 8:03&nbsp;am
| length17        = 2:45
| title18         = Rush & George
| length18        = 2:56
| title19         = The Badlands <small>(featuring Jason Ralicki)</small>
| length19        = 2:48
| title20         = The Window
| length20        = 1:58
| title21         = Train Station
| length21        = 1:04
| title22         = 300 Flowers <small>(featuring Robbyn Kirmsse)</small>
| length22        = 2:48
| title23         = Best Friends 
| length23        = 2:13
| title24         = Baby Blues
| length24        = 3:12
}}

== See also ==
* [[Television in the United States]]
* ''[[The Enigma Files]]'', UK / [[BBC Two]], 1980
* ''[[Cold Case Files]]'', USA / [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]], 1999 (true cases)
* ''[[Waking the Dead (TV series)|Waking the Dead]]'', UK / [[BBC One]], 2000
* ''[[New Tricks]]'', UK / [[BBC One]], 2003
* ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'', USA / [[CBS]], 2003
* ''[[Solved (TV series)|Solved]]'', USA / [[Investigation Discovery|ID]], 2008 (true cases)
* ''[[Zettai Reido]]'', Japan / [[Fuji Television]], 2010
* ''[[Cold Justice]]'', USA / [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]], 2013 (true cases)
* ''[[To Catch a Killer (TV series)|To Catch a Killer]]'', CAN / [[Oprah Winfrey Network (Canadian TV channel)|OWN]], 2014 (true cases)
* ''[[Signal (South Korean TV series)|Signal]]'', South Korea / [[tvN (South Korean TV channel)|tvN]], 2016
* ''[[Signal (Japanese TV series)|Signal]]'', Japan / [[Fuji Television]], 2018
* ''[[Oktopus (TV series)|Oktopus]]'', Czech Republic / [[ČT1]], 2023

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb title|0368479|Cold Case}}

{{CSI franchise}}
{{Cold Case television}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Individual Episode}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cold Case}}
[[Category:Cold Case| ]]
[[Category:2000s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:2000s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:2003 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2010s American crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2010s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:2010s American police procedural television series]]
[[Category:2010 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Philadelphia Police Department]]
[[Category:Television shows about ghosts]]
[[Category:Television franchises]]
[[Category:Television series by CBS Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Police procedurals]]
[[Category:CBS crime dramas]]