Parker is serious, sharp-minded and a talented people-reader. He knows how to reach out, how to talk to people at their level – whether it’s a schizophrenic off his meds, a hardened gang member or a troubled youth about to make a big mistake. But his uncanny people-reading skills were not enough to save his own family… Ten years ago, Parker’s unconditional passion for his work burned out his relationship with his wife, and he turned to heavy drinking and aggression that he couldn’t control. When she left, she took their young son Dean with her, and Parker hit rock bottom. The empathy, gentleness, insight and sobriety he embodies today are a testament to the extraordinary effort he put into recovery. He believes the best of people, because he’s living proof people can change.
Ed is the alpha male of Team One. He’s outgoing, uncompromising, and charismatic. He thrives on the high-risk calls that are the bread and butter of his career, and rises to meet any tactical challenge with the laser-sharp instincts of a man born to be a leader. But under the uniform he’s a profoundly thoughtful man, who carries the burden of every decision he’s made… in a world where there may be no right answers, and where human fates are sealed in a split-second.
Jules is an exceptional markswoman, ex-RCMP who holds her own in the testosterone-pumped team environment. She has a natural, small-town, prairie-girl confidence that looks you in the face, tells it like it is and expects the truth back. It’s this grounded, upfront quality – in addition to her natural gift of human intuition and empathy – that also make her a strong right hand for Parker as a profiler and negotiator.
Sam left military service overseas with the JTF 2 (Joint Task Force 2, Canada’s elite Special Operations counter-terrorism force) to join the SRU. He’s come a long way since his arrival on the team - his cocky confidence and sense of entitlement have matured, and Sam proves himself a disciplined and crucially valuable member of the team.
A strong martial arts expert with a surprisingly gentle soul, Wordy is a wingman you can count on, and a guy you can drink beer with. Wordy loves being a cop; he loves children and animals and women in peril. Deeply sensitive, and strong as an ox, Wordy has a romantic view of heroism – all bound into the notion of keeping the world safe for his three daughters.
Spike Scarlatti is the nerve centre of the team – the technician, the Bomb Tech, the guy who keeps everyone connected. He’s an upbeat, likeable Italian guy who likes to see stuff blow up, except when it’s his job to make sure it doesn’t. Spike’s very much in touch with his inner kid and fascinated with science. He’s also a great listener, easygoing and intuitive, the peacemaker on the team who hates to see people fight.