New Nightwatch New Orleans Episodes to Debut March 25

The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate

After returning in the fall to film a fourth season set in New Orleans following a three-year hiatus from the city, the documentary series Nightwatch plans to unveil its newest episodes next month, officials announced Wednesday.

The A&E Network series' latest season, focusing on the Crescent City's paramedics, is set to premiere March 25 at 9 p.m. The network will tee up that premiere with specials on March 11 and March 18 highlighting memorable moments from past seasons while also introducing the first responders it will focus on this time around.

In a statement, A&E officials said each one-hour episode of Nightwatch will document New Orleans Emergency Medical Services crews as they respond to street violence, medical emergencies and disasters while navigating the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The paramedics and emergency medical technicians spotlighted on the show work 12-hour overnight shifts, which can be grueling.

Dr. Emily Nichols, director of New Orleans EMS, said she is excited the show has returned to document "the beauty and resilience" of a city that has made significant economic and emotional sacrifices while enacting measures aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

"It's an honor to feature our outstanding healthcare providers who have given so much of themselves prior to and throughout the pandemic," Nichols said.

Produced by the companies 44 Blue Productions and Dick Wolf Reality, Nightwatch aired three seasons set in New Orleans between 2015 and 2017. But the city nixed filming arrangements with both Nightwatch and The First 48 — an A&E show which chronicled homicide investigations — after a New Orleans murder suspect's attorney accused The First 48 producers of withholding footage that could benefit the defendant.

The production company Kirkstall Road Enterprise swore in court that it had no extra tape. But the suspect's attorneys later recovered footage of an interview with a friend of the murder victim that prompted the judge overseeing the case to excoriate city officials for letting shows like The First 48 embed with the police.

The head of programming for A&E, Elaine Frontain Bryant, said in a statement Wednesday that she was glad Nightwatch would have the opportunity to again come to New Orleans to "showcase the raw and emotional stories of first responders and those they keep safe."

A&E's announcement Wednesday contained a link to a trailer for Nightwatch's" new season. The network also said New Orleans EMS paramedics Holly Sherman and Titus Tero, known for their previous appearances on Nightwatch, would host the March 11 and March 18 specials.