Six years had passed since the series went off the air. Despite virtually the entire series cast making an appearance in this first of the quartet of films, it's clear in the early going that both Cagney and Lacey have moved on. "The Return" premiered on the CBS Network in November of 1994. The overall reaction to the reunification of Sharon and Tyne and to the film itself was excellent from all quarters with outstanding reviews from the press and a rating that made this film the highest rated movie for television of the week and the top-rated show of any kind on the CBS network. Interview with Barney Rosenzweig.