Series synopsis
The Protectors is a British action & adventure crime drama television series that premiered on Associated Television on September 29, 1972. It ended on March 15, 1974. It was created by Gerry Anderson. It stars Robert Vaughn, Tony Anholt, Nyree Dawn Porter and Phil Brown.
The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It was Anderson's second TV series using live actors as opposed to electronic marionettes, and also his second to be firmly set in contemporary times. It was also the only Gerry Anderson produced television series that was not of the fantasy or science fiction genres. It was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment production company. Despite not featuring marionettes or any real science fiction element ...
Premise
The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It was Anderson's second TV series using live actors as opposed to electronic marionettes, and also his second to be firmly set in contemporary times. It was also the only Gerry Anderson produced television series that was not of the fantasy or science fiction genres. It was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment production company. Despite not featuring marionettes or any real science fiction elements, The Protectors became one of Anderson's most popular productions, easily winning a renewal for a second season. A third season was in the planning stages when the show's major sponsor pulled out, forcing its cancellation.
The Protectors first aired in 1972 and 1973, and ran to 52 episodes over two series, each 25 minutes long - making it one of the last series of this type to be produced in a half-hour format. It starred Robert Vaughn as Harry Rule, Nyree Dawn Porter as the Contessa Caroline di Contini, and Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet. Episodes often featured prominent guest actors.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Robert Vaughn as Harry Rule
- Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet
- Nyree Dawn Porter as Contessa Caroline de Conti
- Phil Brown as Adam Markos
- Angus Lennie as Prof. Grodny
- Mark Jones as Scudder
- Olaf Pooley as Commissioner Braun
- Stephen Greif as Policeman - at Cafe
Supporting cast
- Dinsdale Landen as Manning
- Peter Jeffrey as Police Inspector
- Sally James as Gordon's Secretary
- Gretchen Franklin as Nelly Baxter
- Stuart Wilson as Smith
- Georgina Hale as The Girl
- Milton Johns as Conway
- Patrick Mower as Raphael Santana
- George Pravda as Sneider
- Christopher Neame as Glen Bailey
- Joss Ackland as Arthur Gordon
- Eartha Kitt as Carrie Blaine
Guest cast
- Phil Brown as Adam Markos
- Angus Lennie as Prof. Grodny
- Mark Jones as Scudder
- Olaf Pooley as Commissioner Braun
- Stephen Greif as Policeman - at Cafe
- Dinsdale Landen as Manning
- Peter Jeffrey as Police Inspector
- Sally James as Gordon's Secretary
- Gretchen Franklin as Nelly Baxter
- Stuart Wilson as Smith
- Georgina Hale as The Girl
- Milton Johns as Conway
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 52 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 26 | September 29, 1972 | March 30, 1973 |
| Season 2 | 26 | September 21, 1973 | March 15, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
2,000 ft to Die A friend of Harry's insists on doing a dangerous skydiving trick despite the fact that gold smugglers are trying to kill him. |
September 29, 1972 |
| 2 |
Brother Hood A wealthy recluse hires the Protectors to break his brother out of prison. |
October 6, 1972 |
| 3 |
See No Evil While in Rome the Protectors try to help a senator who is being blackmailed. |
October 13, 1972 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Quin Harry travels to Spain in order to track down a bounty hunter named Quin. |
September 21, 1973 |
| 2 |
Bagman The Protectors are called to deliver the ransom for the kidnapped daughter of a Danish aristocrat. |
September 28, 1973 |
| 3 |
Fighting Fund A revolutionary group steals and auctions off a priceless art collection in order to purchase dynamite to fund their cause. |
October 5, 1973 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Associated Television |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 29, 1972 |
| Last aired | March 15, 1974 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday |