Initially, the former race car driver Mark McCormick (portrayed by Daniel Hugh-Kelly) is still not sure whether he was lucky or not. Because of auto theft, he must now respond to the tough but fair judge Milton C. Hardcastle (portrayed by Brian Keith).

During their last meeting before his retirement, they make a deal because Hardcastle has no desire to condemn McCormick. Mark McCormick agrees to go under the custody of Judge Hardcastlle in order not to go to jail.

He is to live in Hardcastle’s lodge, whose mansion is located west of Los Angeles, a spacious  estate on Gulls Way on 26800 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and help Hardcastle in completing his self-imposed task. At least the first part of this agreement sounds grandiose for McCormick, since the property has a large pool and unobstructed and breathtaking views over the Pacific.

When he learns that the judge is planning to go through 200 cases that have gone cold and to bring the previously convicted criminals to prison during his retirement, the deal does not look quite so rosy anymore, but still it appeals to McCormick’s adventurous spirit.

As part of a new case of the series Hardcastle & McCormick, freshly appointed Detective McCormick employs the legendary Coyote sports car in his chase. As part of these cases, many stunts with motor boats and of course very many car stunts were featured, that were typical for this time.

What is also amusing is that McCormick makes other people believe that he himself inhabits the main house of the Gulls Way mansion and that Hardcastle is the servant who lives in the lodge.

McCormick sometimes also travels to places further away from Los Angeles during his research on a case, so that he has to deal with criminals even in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.

You may find all episodes of the TV series Hardcastle & McCormick here.