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Day Break
GenreAction
Thriller
Crime drama
Fantasy
Created byPaul Zbyszewski
Starring
Theme music composerMark Kilian
Christophe Beck
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (7 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Editors
Running time40 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseNovember 15 (2006-11-15) –
December 13, 2006 (2006-12-13)
NetworkTV One
ReleaseApril 20 (2008-04-20) –
June 8, 2008 (2008-06-08)

Day Break is an American crime drama television series for which one 13-episode season was produced. The series starred Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper, who is framed for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza. Due to a time loop, Hopper lives the same day over and over. The series revolves around his attempt to solve the mystery of the murder and find out who is behind the conspiracy to frame him.

The series aired on the ABC network and premiered on November 15, 2006. It was cancelled on December 15 after only six episodes had aired.[1] The remaining episodes were subsequently made available online at ABC.com. Viewers for the show averaged 6.5 million.[2]

On March 16, 2008, the TV One cable network began airing the six previously broadcast episodes.[3] On April 20, the network began Sunday evening broadcasts of the remaining seven episodes, which had never been seen on television.[4]

Synopsis

[edit]

Los Angeles Detective Brett Hopper is inexplicably repeating the same day, on which he is framed for the murder of the Assistant District Attorney, Alberto Garza. Hopper attempts to clear his name and uncover the truth, in the process discovering a conspiracy with ties to those close to him. He also struggles to understand what is happening to him, and learns that at least one other person may be repeating the same day. With every reset of the loop, Hopper wakes at his girlfriend Rita's home as the clock turns from 6:17 to 6:18 a.m. He retains his memories, as well as his physical body and any injuries. Anyone outside of the loop has no awareness or memory of the repeating day, nor do they retain injuries from previous iterations. However, after Hopper experiences profound changes in his relationships with his partner Andrea and with Rita, respectively, their behaviors are altered going forward in the loop.

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main characters

[edit]
  • Brett Hopper, played by Taye Diggs, the main character of the show. He is a detective who is framed for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Alberto Garza.
  • Rita Shelten, played by Moon Bloodgood, Brett's girlfriend. She is a nurse and is targeted by those who are framing Brett.
  • Jennifer Mathis, played by Meta Golding, Brett's sister. She is a school teacher.
  • Andrea Battle, played by Victoria Pratt, Brett's current partner. She is also a detective and is being investigated by Internal Affairs because of some shady dealings with her informer "Slim". She is romantically involved with Eddie Reyes, a former cop with a drug addiction.
  • Damien Ortiz, played by Ramón Rodríguez, Brett's informant. He is a gang member who decided to turn against his gang. His safe house was ambushed the night before the repeating day, but he escaped.
  • Chad Shelten, played by Adam Baldwin, Brett's former partner. He is now a detective in Internal Affairs. He is also Rita's ex-husband.[5]

Supporting characters

[edit]
Actor Character Role
Mitch Pileggi Armen D. Spivak Detective, robbery/homicide
Ian Anthony Dale Christopher Choi Detective, robbery/homicide
Joe Nieves Fencik "Shadow Agent"
Michael McGrady Buchalter "Shadow Agent"
Jim Beaver Nick Vukovic Retired cop, former partner of Brett's father
Don Franklin Randall Mathis School principal, Jennifer's husband
Michael B. Silver Nathan Baxter U.S. Attorney
Bahar Soomekh Margot Clarke Coffee shop/bus Woman/Judge Nitzberg's secretary
Jonathan Banks Conrad Detweiler "Shadow Man"
Nestor Carbonell Eddie Reyes Andrea's lover, former cop
John Getz Tobias Booth City Councilman
Raymond Cruz Luis Torres Booth's righthand man, former criminal
Eric Steinberg Danny Yan/"Slim" Drug dealer
John Rubinstein Barry Colburn Defense attorney
Clayton Rohner Jared Pryor Man who appears to be experiencing the time loop
Marlene Forte (as Marlene Forté) Mrs. Garza Alberto Garza's widow

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateViewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Rob BowmanPaul ZbyszewskiNovember 15, 2006 (2006-11-15)10.16[7]
Detective Brett Hopper wakes up at his girlfriend, Rita Shelten's place. He saves a woman from getting hit by a bus, but when he returns to his own apartment, police break in, and arrest him for the murder of Assistant District Attorney, Alberto Garza. Shadowy figures break him out of jail, and tell him to confess, and show him Rita getting killed. He wakes up, only to find Rita alive, and he gets to relive the same day. (10.6 million viewers[6])
2"What If They Run"Rob BowmanPaul ZbyszewskiNovember 15, 2006 (2006-11-15)10.16[7]
Brett makes the decision to take Rita and try to make a run for it by getting out of town, in an attempt to escape the day. But he soon discovers the disastrous consequences of his rash actions on others. (8.6 million viewers[6])
3"What If He Lets Her Go"Rob BowmanSteven MaedaNovember 22, 2006 (2006-11-22)5.10[10]
Hopper learns someone close to him may have been involved in framing him for Garza's murder. Meanwhile, some critical clues are revealed that could assist Hopper in making his nightmarish day finally end. (5.12 million viewers[8][9])
4"What If He Can Change the Day"Frederick King KellerHenry Alonso MyersNovember 29, 2006 (2006-11-29)4.72[12]
While trying to find out who framed him, Hopper is starting to figure out what his partner, Andrea, did that caused her disagreement with Internal Affairs. (4.73 million viewers[11])
5"What If They're Stuck"Dwight H. LittleDavid GrazianoDecember 6, 2006 (2006-12-06)4.46[14]
To prove his innocence, Brett visits the Internal Affairs office, twice, in search of the murder book. During his first visit, things aren't going like he planned but his second time isn't better when he doesn't have any other choice than taking someone hostage. (4.5 million viewers[13])
6"What If They Find Him"Rob BowmanCharles MurrayDecember 13, 2006 (2006-12-13)3.94[17]
Hopper tracks down a major player in the conspiracy to frame him for Garza's murder. He also discovers that he must continue to heed the warning of the consequences of his decisions when his actions turn out to affect the day in the worst possible ways imaginable. (3.1 million viewers[15] or 3.94 million per Nielsen Media Research[16])
7"What If He's Not Alone"Andy WolkJeffrey Bell & Steven MaedaJanuary 29, 2007 (2007-01-29) *
April 20, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper believes he may have found someone who is inadvertently involved in his never-ending day—and may also be caught in the same, repetitive loop.
8"What If She's Lying"Bryan SpicerPaul Zbyszewski & Henry Alonso MyersJanuary 29, 2007 (2007-01-29) *
April 27, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper believes that Jennifer is somehow involved in his hellacious day and hiding something from him. In order to find out what she's afraid to admit, he pays a visit to his estranged mother to go through his father's old police files to find a connection.
9"What If They're Connected"Rob BowmanAngela Russo & John HlavinJanuary 29, 2007 (2007-01-29) *
May 4, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper discovers that a possible war between two rival gangs may be linked to his framing for the murder of Garza. Meanwhile, he pays a visit to Garza's murder scene and begins to piece together who may have really killed the Assistant District Attorney.
10"What If He's Free"Elodie KeeneDavid Graziano & Charles MurrayJanuary 29, 2007 (2007-01-29) *
May 11, 2008 ^		TBA
After coming face to face with Garza's murderer, Hopper wonders whether his never-ending day will finally end.
11"What If He Walks Away"Bryan SpicerJenny LynnFebruary 4, 2007 (2007-02-04) *
May 18, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper tries walking away from the day with Rita, but his actions have decidedly negative consequences. Meanwhile, he discovers that someone he thought he could trust has betrayed him.
12"What If She's the Key"David Von AnckenJeffrey Bell & Paul ZbyszewskiFebruary 12, 2007 (2007-02-12) *
June 1, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper discovers that Rita is hiding a secret from him that may play a pivotal role in his repeating day.
13"What If It's Him"Rob BowmanPaul Zbyszewski & Jeffrey BellMarch 2, 2007 (2007-03-02) *
June 8, 2008 ^		TBA
Hopper's day of reckoning finally is in sight and the answers to his questions are within his reach—but will he live to see the end of his repeating day?

* = World premiere on ABC.com
^ = Television premiere on TV One

Viewers for the series on television averaged 6.5 million.[18]

Broadcast and cancelation

[edit]

About the cancelation, Taye Diggs: "We didn’t get enough viewers. The network gave us a shot, and that’s what happened. I had a really great time on the show. It was one of the best scripts out there. It was the timing. Who knows why people tune in to what they do, but apparently they were not watching us."[19]

Moon Bloodgood gave a similar statement about the cancellation: “I thought Day Break and Journeyman were great shows. Sometimes people want to say, “Oh, they’re too intelligent.” I give audiences way more credit. I don’t think it was that we weren’t good. I think it’s timing. I think sometimes things just don’t catch fire. Maybe it wasn’t good? But I know that I thought it was good and I, to this day, think they were good. I wouldn’t have done them if I didn’t think they were good.“[20]

Adam Baldwin was also proud of the show: “I'll tell you, Day Break holds up if you watch it. If it was on a Netflix-type format where you could just sit down and watch it chronologically, it would really hold up. I think it had a big challenge being on commercial television and having the breaks in between. It's not a linear show. Like Memento: you wouldn't want to watch that if you had to have wait a week to see the second half or whatever. But I really enjoyed that.“[21]

Mitch Pileggi thought the show was “pretty good“: “I wish that we had been able to hang in a little bit longer with that show. It was a good role, and it was a lot of fun, and I was interested in seeing where they were going to take that character.“[22]

Online distribution

[edit]

ABC had previously said that there were problems that kept the rest of the episodes from being shown online, calling them "unforeseen music clearance issues."[23] On January 14, 2007, the network announced that the remaining episodes would be made available by the end of February.[24] The first six episodes which had aired on television were posted on January 29, 2007, along with the first four unaired episodes.[25]

The thirteenth and final episode, which was originally scheduled to be available on February 19, was delayed multiple times. After a nearly three-week wait, the finale premiered late on March 2. It was reported that the reasons for this delay concerned copyrighting issues with some of the original soundtrack from the final cut of the episode.[26]

DVD releases

[edit]

On March 25, 2008, Day Break: The Complete Series was released on DVD in Region 1 by BCI Eclipse as a 4-disc set.[27]

Mill Creek Entertainment subsequently re-released Day Break on September 29, 2009 as a 2-disc set.[28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Day Break

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Day Break is an American crime drama television series created by Paul Zbyszewski. The show, which premiered on ABC on November 15, 2006, stars as Detective Brett Hopper, a police officer who is framed for the murder of Assistant Alberto Garza and finds himself trapped in a , reliving the same day repeatedly in an effort to clear his name and uncover the conspiracy behind it. The series blends elements of action, thriller, , and fantasy, drawing comparisons to films like and for its innovative use of the time-loop premise to drive a serialized mystery plot. Supporting cast includes as Hopper's girlfriend Rita Shelten, a nurse; as his partner Detective Andrea Battle; as Jennifer Mathis; and Ramón Rodríguez as Damien Ortiz. Produced by , Day Break features 13 episodes, most titled in the format "What If..." to reflect the protagonist's iterative attempts to alter events. Despite critical praise for Diggs' performance and the gripping narrative, the series struggled with low ratings and was canceled by ABC after airing only six episodes, ending its initial run on December 13, 2006. The remaining seven episodes were made available online via ABC.com starting in early 2007 and later aired in full on networks like TV One in 2008, allowing the complete story to reach audiences. Over time, Day Break has garnered a for its tight plotting and exploration of themes like fate, redemption, and corruption within .

Premise

Synopsis

Day Break is an American crime drama television series that follows detective Brett Hopper, who is framed for the murder of Assistant Alberto Garza and arrested at the start of what becomes a perpetually repeating day. Despite providing a solid , Hopper finds himself pursued by law enforcement and forced to evade capture as events unfold in a relentless cycle. Each iteration begins with Hopper awakening at 6:18 a.m. in the apartment of his , Rita, where he navigates tense interactions with colleagues, high-stakes chases through the , and desperate efforts to prove his innocence before the day resets. As Hopper relives the day multiple times, retaining memories from prior loops, he gradually pieces together clues pointing to a broader orchestrated against him. This plot thickens with revelations involving his former partner , his sister Jennifer, and a powerful shadowy organization pulling strings from behind the scenes to eliminate threats and cover their tracks. The narrative tension builds through Hopper's strategic use of accumulated knowledge to outmaneuver pursuers and gather evidence, turning each repetition into a step closer to exposing the truth. The series culminates in Hopper's determined push to shatter the time loop by dismantling the frame-up, safeguarding his loved ones from retaliation, and confronting the conspirators head-on. Throughout, the story emphasizes themes of persistence and redemption amid escalating danger, with Hopper's evolving alliances—briefly including support from Rita—proving crucial to his and ultimate resolution.

Time loop mechanics

In the television series Day Break, the central mechanism confines Brett Hopper to reliving the same day repeatedly, resetting precisely at 6:18 a.m. each when he awakens at his girlfriend's house. This daily recurrence allows Hopper to retain full memories of all prior loops, enabling him to accumulate and strategically alter events to progress toward resolving the central mystery. However, physical injuries sustained during a loop—such as wounds—persist and carry over to subsequent iterations until the reset occurs, heightening the stakes and limiting reckless actions like as a means of escape. Unlike Hopper, all other characters experience no recollection of previous loops, which isolates him emotionally and amplifies the urgency of his solitary quest. This for others permits Hopper to manipulate interactions repeatedly, such as preventing recurring deaths of loved ones or coercing confessions from suspects by leveraging foreknowledge, thereby gathering critical intelligence across iterations. The loop's structure underscores Hopper's personal stakes, as threats to his girlfriend Rita and sister intensify the pressure to break the cycle. The origin of the is intrinsically linked to the overarching framing Hopper, functioning as a narrative device imposed to facilitate the unraveling of the plot's complexities, though its precise cause remains ambiguous, even in . This unresolved element emphasizes thematic tensions between —where events seem predestined within the loop—and , as Hopper's iterative choices gradually assert agency against an apparently inescapable fate.

Production

Development

Day Break was created by Paul Zbyszewski, who conceived the series as a crime thriller incorporating a time-loop mechanism inspired by the film (1993), but reimagined within a infused with elements to drive the protagonist's investigation. Jeffrey Bell served as and , collaborating with fellow s Matthew Gross and Rob Bowman—both alumni of —to shape the project's ambitious narrative template, which also drew stylistic influences from the taut pacing of 24 and the nonlinear mystery of Memento. The initial pitch highlighted the innovative use of repetition to unravel a conspiracy, positioning the show as a serialized mystery where each episode advances the overarching plot while resetting the day, allowing viewers to experience escalating stakes alongside the lead character. In May 2006, ABC greenlit a straight-to-series order for 13 episodes, bypassing a traditional pilot and finalizing the commitment during the network's upfronts to slot Day Break as a mid-season replacement in the 2006–07 television season, specifically bridging the hiatus of Lost.

Casting and filming

Taye Diggs was cast in the lead role of Detective Brett Hopper for the pilot episode in early 2006, bringing his experience from dramatic roles in projects like the musical Rent and the legal drama Kevin Hill. Moon Bloodgood joined the cast as Rita Shelten, selected to portray Hopper's girlfriend and provide on-screen chemistry with Diggs in the thriller's interpersonal dynamics. Supporting roles were filled through auditions held in , the production's hub, including as Jennifer Mathis, Diggs' sister; as Detective Spivak; and other actors such as as Andrea Battle and Rodríguez as Damien Ortiz. Principal photography for the 13-episode season occurred primarily in from summer through fall 2006, utilizing practical locations for action sequences like chases in areas such as Santa Monica and Silver Lake, alongside interior sets for settings including Hopper's apartment and the police precinct. The entire season was completed before any episodes aired on November 15, 2006, which facilitated the cohesive depiction of the time loop mechanics without mid-season adjustments, though the repetitive nature of looped events posed logistical coordination challenges during shoots.

Cast and characters

Main characters

Brett Hopper, portrayed by , is a who finds himself framed for the of Assistant Alberto Garza and trapped in a repeating day that resets every evening. Initially overwhelmed by confusion and disbelief upon waking to the same events, Hopper gradually leverages knowledge from prior loops to investigate the against him, evolving into a more strategic and determined figure who carries over physical injuries like wounds to inform his actions. His arc centers on clearing his name while protecting those close to him, using wits and persistence to navigate threats from police, gangs, and shadowy figures. Rita Shelten, played by , serves as Hopper's girlfriend and a nurse whose life becomes entangled in the framing plot despite her lack of awareness of the . As the ex-wife of Hopper's former partner, she provides an initial alibi for him that is dismissed by authorities, heightening the emotional stakes as she becomes a target for abduction and harm by the conspirators. Her role underscores Hopper's personal motivations, driving his resolve to alter outcomes and safeguard her, though her recurring peril in each loop amplifies the series' tension without her ever retaining memories of previous iterations. Chad Shelten, portrayed by Adam Baldwin, is Hopper's ex-partner and Rita's former husband, now working in Internal Affairs, which positions him to initially appear as a trusted ally in Hopper's predicament. His jealousy over Rita's relationship with Hopper adds layers to their interactions, but as the narrative unfolds, Chad's deeper involvement in the emerges, revealing him as an who obstructs Hopper's efforts and holds key knowledge about the plot. This betrayal arc transforms their professional history into a central conflict, complicating Hopper's trust in figures throughout the loops. Jennifer Mathis, played by , is Hopper's sister and a school teacher whose personal ties to him make her a vulnerable link in the conspiracy, as she and her children are endangered to manipulate Hopper's actions. Her family is targeted by the conspirators, and she harbors personal secrets related to the murder and the larger scheme, drawing from her proximity to Hopper's life and the threats posed to her family. Her development highlights the personal cost of the , pushing Hopper to prioritize familial protection amid his strategic pursuits, though her unawareness of the repetitions keeps her role grounded in immediate peril and emotional support. Damien Ortiz, portrayed by Ramón Rodríguez, is Hopper's informant from a street gang who provides vital clues about the and the threats surrounding it. Despite his lack of awareness of the , Ortiz's involvement draws danger from his former gang associates, adding layers of action and betrayal to Hopper's investigations across the repeating day.

Supporting characters

Detective Spivak, portrayed by Mitch Pileggi, serves as Detective Brett Hopper's superior in the Robbery/Homicide division and plays a key role in the official investigation into the murder, while secretly participating in the broader to frame Hopper and conceal the truth. His authoritative presence complicates Hopper's efforts to navigate the repeating day, as Spivak relentlessly pursues leads that implicate Hopper without questioning the inconsistencies. Andrea Battle, played by , is Hopper's dedicated partner on the force, offering crucial support during his investigations and chases across the looped day. She brings loyalty to the narrative, often injecting moments of through her straightforward demeanor and willingness to bend rules for Hopper, though her own entanglement with Internal Affairs adds tension to her assistance. Alberto Garza functions as the Assistant whose assassination triggers the central and Hopper's framing, embodying the systemic corruption that permeates the Hopper uncovers. His death symbolizes the deep-rooted graft within and legal circles, as revelations show Garza's involvement in illicit activities that made him a target. The series features various one-episode guest characters, including informants, victims, and minor suspects, who recur across loops to deliver pivotal clues or obstacles that propel the plot forward in each . These roles, often filled by actors like as Detective Christopher Choi or guest stars in individual episodes, highlight the episodic nature of clue-gathering without dominating the overarching narrative.

Episodes

Overview

Day Break is an American crime drama television series centered on a Los Angeles Police Department detective who finds himself trapped in a , reliving the same day repeatedly while attempting to clear his name after being framed for . The show consists of a single season comprising 13 episodes, each running approximately 43 minutes, with all episodes produced in 2006. Despite its full production, only the first six episodes aired on ABC between November and December 2006, after which the series was canceled due to low ratings. The episodes adopt a procedural format, where each installment depicts a new iteration of the looped day, allowing the to gather clues, avoid dangers, and make incremental progress toward unraveling the behind his predicament. Over the course of the season, escalating revelations about the plot's antagonists and the loop's origins build toward a resolution in , providing a serialized arc within the repetitive structure. The original broadcast order for the aired episodes aligned with production sequence, but the seven unaired episodes were released online by ABC.com starting January 29, 2007, in an adjusted order to maintain narrative continuity for streaming viewers. Following the cancellation, no second season was planned, leaving some peripheral plot threads unresolved, though the core storyline concluded within the single season.

Episode list

The first season of Day Break consists of 13 episodes, of which only the first six were broadcast on ABC from November 15 to December 13, 2006; the remaining seven episodes were unaired on network television but later included in the complete series DVD release in 2008. Production codes follow the format 1-01 through 1-13. The following table lists the episodes with their titles, original air dates (or intended dates for unaired episodes where documented), and brief non-spoiler descriptions of key developments in Hopper's investigation and experiences within the .
No.Prod. CodeTitleAir DateKey Developments
11-01PilotNovember 15, 2006Hopper is framed for the murder of prosecutor Alberto Garza and discovers he is trapped in a repeating day, prompting him to protect his girlfriend Rita and sister Jennifer while questioning his partner's reliability. Directed by Rob Bowman.
21-02What If They Run?November 15, 2006Hopper flees with Rita along the California coast to test variations in the loop, while evaluating the trustworthiness of his partner Andrea amid escalating threats.
31-03What If He Lets Her Go?November 22, 2006Hopper investigates a mysterious package related to the frame-up and collaborates with Andrea to examine connections to a past gang case involving the Latin Disciples.
41-04What If He Can Change the Day?November 29, 2006Hopper receives a tip promising answers, intervenes in a conflict involving Andrea and their former partner Eddie, and questions his ex Ava about suspicious packages sent to his family.
51-05What If They're Stuck?December 6, 2006Hopper attempts to access Internal Affairs records twice to gather evidence on the murder, leading to a tense hostage situation in his second effort.
61-06What If They Find HimDecember 13, 2006Using information from the murder book, Hopper pursues a lead from a 1991 case and observes how his choices alter events within the repeating day.
71-07What If He's Not AloneUnaired (intended December 20, 2006)Hopper searches for a potential witness at a men's club and encounters Garza's widow, while connecting with another individual experiencing the loop.
81-08What If She's Lying?Unaired (intended December 27, 2006)Hopper visits his estranged mother to probe family ties to the conspiracy and his late father's past, as Andrea examines links between key figures in the case.
91-09What If They're ConnectedUnaired (intended January 3, 2007)Hopper explores potential connections between city counselor Booth, Garza, and Booth's assistant Luis Torres as part of the deepening investigation.
101-10What If He's FreeUnaired (intended January 10, 2007)Hopper's ongoing research into the conspiracy yields new insights into the events surrounding Garza's death.
111-11What If He Walks AwayUnaired (intended January 17, 2007)Hopper attempts to step back from the loop's pressures with Rita but uncovers additional layers to the plot and potential betrayals among allies.
121-12What If She's the KeyUnaired (intended January 24, 2007)Hopper's probe reveals unexpected involvement from someone close to him in the conspiracy's web.
131-13What If It's HimUnaired (intended January 31, 2007)As the investigation intensifies, Hopper confronts core elements of the loop and the forces behind his framing.

Release

Broadcast history

Day Break premiered on the ABC network on November 15, 2006, occupying the Wednesday 9:00 p.m. ET timeslot following a midseason hiatus for Lost. The series launched with a double episode featuring "Pilot" and "What If They Run?", followed by weekly airings of the subsequent episodes: "What If He Lets Her Go?" on November 22, "What If She's Lying?" on November 29, "What If He Believes?" on December 6, and "What If It's Him?" on December 13. ABC cancelled Day Break on December 18, 2006, after the sixth episode aired, citing declining ratings as the primary reason; the network pulled the series effective immediately and held back the remaining seven episodes from traditional broadcast. Repeats of sitcoms and filled the vacated slot for the following weeks. The unaired episodes became available for streaming on ABC.com starting January 29, 2007, after initial delays attributed to unforeseen music clearance issues that required resolution of online rights. Previously aired episodes were reposted alongside the new content, allowing viewers to access the complete 13-episode season digitally. The full series received a linear television rerun on the TV One cable network, which began airing the six original episodes on March 16, 2008, before presenting the seven previously unaired installments from April 20 to June 8, 2008, in evening slots at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Home media

The first home media release of Day Break was a four-disc DVD set titled Day Break: The Complete Series, distributed by BCI Eclipse (a division of Corporation) on March 25, , in Region 1. This set contained all 13 episodes of the series, including the seven that were unaired during the original broadcast, presented in (1.78:1 ) with 5.1 surround audio options. Special features included audio commentaries on every episode (with some featuring multiple tracks from and ), interviews (12 minutes), producer interviews (approximately 5 minutes), behind-the-scenes footage (3:44 minutes), and a promotional images video (2:30 minutes). The packaging consisted of a keepcase box housing three slim cases and a four-page episode guide booklet, with a suggested retail price of $39.98. A re-release followed on September 29, 2009, as a budget two-disc DVD set under the same title, distributed by Mill Creek Entertainment in Region 1. This edition also included all 13 episodes in format with English audio and a 1.78:1 , running approximately 9 hours total, but omitted all special features from the prior version. Neither release included closed captions or . As of November 2025, no official Blu-ray edition has been released. The series remains unavailable for official digital purchase or rental through major platforms and is not streaming on any licensed services . International home media options have been limited primarily to the Region 1 DVDs, with no confirmed releases in other regions.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its premiere in 2006, Day Break garnered mixed critical reception, with praise centered on ' compelling portrayal of Detective Brett Hopper and the series' inventive fusion of a time-loop mechanism with . Critics highlighted Diggs' energetic and gripping as a key strength, noting his ability to convey mounting frustration and determination across repeated days. However, the show's repetitive structure was frequently cited as a drawback, leading to concerns about viewer fatigue from revisiting similar scenes and events. The series holds a 50% approval rating on , based on 16 reviews, with the consensus stating that "a truly gripping performance from can't alleviate Day Break's exhaustive pacing and gimmicky nature." Publications like Variety commended the procedural elements as fresh, describing it as a "taut thriller that weds '24' with ','" complete with ambitious narrative overtones reminiscent of Memento. In contrast, acknowledged the premise's clever hook— a trapped reliving the same day to unravel a —but deemed the series "tough to commit to," criticizing its slow setup and formulaic conspiracy tropes that delayed engaging developments. The abrupt cancellation after airing only six episodes initially meant that viewers at the time experienced an incomplete story, though the full 13-episode arc provides resolution to all major plotlines. In scholarly analysis, Day Break has been appreciated as an early and interesting variant of loop structures in television, defying traditional norms while appealing to audiences, though it was largely overlooked during its initial run. In the , the series has seen renewed interest through online communities and fan remasters, solidifying its status.

Viewership

The pilot episode of Day Break, aired on November 15, 2006, attracted 10.16 million viewers. The series averaged 6.5 million viewers across its first six episodes. Viewership declined sharply thereafter, with the sixth episode drawing only 3.94 million viewers, a figure below ABC's internal renewal threshold and exacerbated by direct competition from CBS's CSI: NY. ABC announced the series' cancellation on December 15, 2006, citing persistently low performance in key demographics, including an average 18-49 rating of 2.8. Reruns on TV One beginning in 2008 garnered niche viewership among cable audiences, which helped foster a dedicated for the show but did not prompt any revival efforts.

References

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  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0801425/plotsummary/
  6. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/day_break/s01
  7. https://www.tvline.com/lists/best-tv-time-loop-episodes-list-star-trek-x-files/
  8. https://www.disney.fandom.com/wiki/Day_Break
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/arts/television/when-life-takes-an-ugly-turn-a-chance-to-do-it-over.html/
  10. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/DayBreak2006
  11. https://variety.com/2006/tv/reviews/day-break-1200512052/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0068272/
  13. https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/day-break-is-the-taye-diggs-series-history/
  14. https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/abcs-2006-schedule.263904/
  15. https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/new-net-sets-1st-pilot-1117938898/
  16. https://playbill.com/article/broadway-star-taye-diggs-debuts-in-new-tv-show-day-break-com-136370
  17. https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/touchstone-in-overdrive-1117936375/
  18. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/day_break/cast-and-crew
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0801425/locations/
  20. https://abc.fandom.com/wiki/Day_Break
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/arts/television/when-life-takes-an-ugly-turn-a-chance-to-do-it-over.html
  22. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/day-break
  23. https://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2006/11/review_day_break_1112.php
  24. https://blavity.com/revisiting-taye-diggs-overlooked-2006-canceled-abc-series-day-break
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0801425/fullcredits/
  26. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/day_break/s01/cast-and-crew
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0801425/fullcredits
  28. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/day-break/cast/1000121986/
  29. https://thetvdb.com/series/day-break
  30. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/abc-withdraws-money-day-break-146847/
  31. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/18/day-break-episodes-set-for-online-debut
  32. https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/day-break-abcs-taye-diggs-drama-is-gone/
  33. https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/485/day-break/episodeguide
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0760164/
  35. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-07-wk-quick7.6-story.html
  36. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/day-break/listings/
  37. https://www.tvguide.com/news/tuned-day-break-16094/
  38. https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2008/03/mini-dvd-review-day-break-complete.html
  39. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/32676
  40. https://www.amazon.com/Day-Break-Complete-Taye-Diggs/dp/B002DQSKME
  41. https://www.facebook.com/groups/384199922202544/posts/1638822693406921/
  42. https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/day-break
  43. https://reelgood.com/show/day-break-2006
  44. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Day-Break-Complete-Region-NTSC/dp/B00127Z5D2
  45. https://www.metacritic.com/tv/day-break/
  46. https://ew.com/article/2006/12/27/day-break/
  47. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357746171_Loop_Structures_in_Film_and_Literature_Experiments_with_Time_Between_the_Poles_of_Classical_and_Complex_Narration
  48. https://www.reddit.com/r/televisionsuggestions/comments/1ofaovg/day_break_2006_an_underrated_timeloop_thriller/
  49. https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2006/11/week-9-numbers-first-four-nights-how.html
  50. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/16/arts/16arts.html
  51. https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/cbs-dominated-night-1117954821/
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