September 28 (2001-09-28) – November 2, 2001 (2001-11-02)
Pasadena is an American prime time soap opera that originally aired on Fox from September to November 2001.
Summary
The series starred Alison Lohman as Lily McAllister, an initially naïve young woman who witnesses a stranger's suicide and begins to investigate the secrets being hidden by her own very wealthy California family, the Greeleys. Other cast members included Dana Delany and Martin Donovan as Lily's parents, Will and Catherine McAllister, and Chris Marquette as Lily's brother Mason. Mark Valley, Balthazar Getty, and Natasha Gregson Wagner portrayed Catherine's siblings Robert, Nate, and Beth Greeley, while Philip Baker Hall and Barbara Babcock played Greeley patriarch and matriarch George and Lillian. Alan Simpson was cast as Lily's love interest Henry Bellow, with Derek Cecil as Henry's brother Tom.
Pasadena was created by Mike White, who attended elementary and high school in Pasadena, California. Actress/director Diane Keaton directed the pilot episode, and was among the show's executive producers. Other producers included Mark B. Perry, Dana Baratta, R. W. Goodwin, and Bill Robinson. The pilot was edited by Tatiana S. Riegel.
Only four episodes were originally aired in the U.S. in 2001, though thirteen were filmed, with the last episode seemingly resolving the central mystery of the series. In late 2005, the series was shown in its entirety for the first time in the United States, on the cable channel SoapNet.[1]
Mill Creek Entertainment announced the series on DVD.[citation needed]
Reception
Although the show was critically acclaimed,[1] it was watched by only 4.3 million viewers.[2] The general speculation at the time was that, with the series having premiered two weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, American audiences were not willing to watch a show like Pasadena, with its dark atmosphere and cynical storylines.[citation needed]