‘Shots Fired’ Star Sanaa Lathan Reveals She’s Surprised The Show’s On Network TV

Sanaa Lathan didn’t expect that “Shots Fired” was going to air on network TV.

During a panel at Deadline’s The Contenders Emmys event on Sunday, Lathan revealed that she initially thought “Shots Fired” was going to be better on cable TV given its sensitive subject matter.

“[I was] surprised that it was going to be on network,” Lathan said. “[But] the more I thought about it, I was actually happier because it’s going to reach more people.”

READ: What drew Richard Dreyfuss to “Shots Fired”?

“Shots Fired” follows the Department of Justice’s investigation into the death of an unarmed white man who was shot in a traffic stop by an African-American police deputy. During the early stage of the probe, seasoned investigator Ashe Akino (Lathan) and young special prosecutor Preston Terry (Stephan James) learn that the police are ignoring the murder of an African-American teenager.

Despite the show’s delicate theme, series creator Reggie Rock Bythewood said during the panel that other than “language restrictions,” he did not feel the network format “compromised” the show’s subject matter.

Regardless of how the show’s story will play out, Lathan said that they are hoping the limited series will get people talking and bring people together. “We hope … [viewers] see that we are one race, we are the human race,” Lathan said.

In this week’s Season 1, episode 4 of “Shots Fired,” Cory (Marqus Clae) opens up about what he saw the night Joey Campbell (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) was killed. And based on the synopsis for the episode, it appears that Cory is pointing his finger at the sheriff’s department. While Ashe and Preston are aware of the corrupt inner workings of the sheriff’s department, the partners weigh whether or not Cory’s word is enough to go up against the entire sheriff’s department.

To further strengthen their case, Ashe and Preston try to find any significant evidence that will establish the connection between Joey’s death and Jesse Carr’s (Jacob Leinbach) death. In the preview clip for the episode, the partners question Deputy Beck’s (Tristan Mack Wilds) best friend, Deputy Brooks (Beau Knapp), in an attempt to find out who among his colleagues are “dirty.”

“Shots Fired” Season 1, episode 4 airs on Wednesday, April 12 at 8 p.m. EDT on FOX.