Francis Xavier "Frank" Pembleton is a fictional homicide detective on the television drama series
Homicide: Life on the Street portrayed by Emmy Award–winning actor Andre Braugher. He is a primary character of the show through the first six seasons. Although the show featured an ensemble cast, Pembleton would become the fan favorite and is often identified by as the show's signature character. He is based on Baltimore Police Department Detective Harry Edgerton, who, like Pembleton, was an eccentric New York–bred African American detective in the BPD homicide unit featured in David Simon's book
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. The character also appeared in the
Law & Order episode "Charm City".