Advertisement

Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Terry Crews opens up about racial profiling episode

Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Terry Crews has opened up about season four's racial profiling episode involving his character.

In the sixteenth episode of the season, titled 'Moo Moo', Crews' character Sergeant Terry had been racially profiled in a suburban street by a fellow policeman while looking for his daughters' blanket.

During E4's recent one-off 'Goodbye Brooklyn Nine-Nine' special, the actor opened up about the special connection the episode had for him due to his own experience with racism.

"One thing that we really had to address was the racial profiling that the police have always been guilty of, especially in America," he said.

Photo credit: NBC Universal
Photo credit: NBC Universal

Related: Brooklyn Nine-Nine star praises show for adding personal bisexuality story

"I have been a victim of racial profiling, there were incidents where I was mistaken for someone else and had guns drawn, and it was a very, very serious event."

What was also important for the actor was that the episode "didn’t attempt to solve the problem", but "highlight it" to its audience.

"I thought it was a very unique perspective to have two African American police officers debating how to get to the same place," he added.

"The tone did get a little more serious, and I thought it was necessary. It was a highlight of my time on Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

E4's hour-long special also included contributions from Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson – as well as co-creator Dan Goor.

Photo credit: Araya Diaz - Getty Images
Photo credit: Araya Diaz - Getty Images

But while this felt like a final goodbye, Crews had previously teased that he would be up for a reunion at any point.

"Oh my God. I am definitely still interested," the America's Got Talent host told The Hollywood Reporter at the time. even pitching an idea for "a heist movie".

He added: "I love, love, love my castmates. I spent eight years with these guys and they're truly family, and I miss them every day."

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is available to stream on Netflix and All4. It can be seen on E4 in the UK or NBC in the US.


If you've been affected by racism and racist hate crime, then organisations including the Equality and Advisory Support Service (EASS), the Monitoring Group, Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI) and Stop Hate UK are among those which can offer help and support.

You Might Also Like