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Series · 1972 – 1974 · Action & Adventure

The Protectors

★6.1 1972 – 1974 2 Seasons Gerry Anderson TV-MA

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.

Seasons & episodes

2 seasons · 52 episodes

2,000 ft to Die

Episode 01

2,000 ft to Die

Sep 29, 1972

A friend of Harry's insists on doing a dangerous skydiving trick despite the fact that gold smugglers are trying to kill him.

Brother Hood

Episode 02

Brother Hood

Oct 6, 1972

A wealthy recluse hires the Protectors to break his brother out of prison.

See No Evil

Episode 03

See No Evil

Oct 13, 1972

While in Rome the Protectors try to help a senator who is being blackmailed.

Disappearing Trick

Episode 04

Disappearing Trick

Oct 20, 1972

The Contessa ends up putting her life in danger when she agrees to help an old friend win a wager by making him disappear.

Ceremony For the Dead

Episode 05

Ceremony For the Dead

Oct 27, 1972

The wife of a president hires the Protectors to guard her critically ill husband whom she fears may be kidnapped.

It Was All Over in Leipzig

Episode 06

It Was All Over in Leipzig

Nov 3, 1972

While investigating a plot to overthrow the government of a Mediterranean nation the Protectors end up confronting two old friends of the Contessa, one with whom she was romantically involved.

The Quick Brown Fox

Episode 07

The Quick Brown Fox

Nov 10, 1972

The West German government hires the Protectors to put a pension fund that is supporting fugitive Nazi's out of business.

King Con

Episode 08

King Con

Nov 17, 1972

The Protectors devise an elaborate con to recover a priceless antique which a woman had been conned out of.

Thinkback

Episode 09

Thinkback

Nov 24, 1972

Harry and the Contessa are the victims of a car crash that was engineered to get information out of them.

A Kind of Wild Justice

Episode 10

A Kind of Wild Justice

Dec 1, 1972

The daughter of a gangster whom Harry helped put in prison fails twice in her efforts to kill Harry.

Balance of Terror

Episode 11

Balance of Terror

Dec 8, 1972

The KGB hires the Protectors to capture a renegade Russian scientist who plans on destroying London with a new virus to show the world how dangerous biological warfare can be.

Triple Cross

Episode 12

Triple Cross

Dec 15, 1972

A kidnapped Paul will be blown to bits unless Harry and the Contessa help steal jewels which they have been hired to safeguard.

The Numbers Game

Episode 13

The Numbers Game

Dec 29, 1972

The Protectors only hope of putting a drug smuggling ring out of business lies in being able to decode a coded letter.

For the Rest of Your Natural ...

Episode 14

For the Rest of Your Natural ...

Jan 5, 1973

The Contessa is captured by a psychotic killer who puts her on trial for her life.

The Bodyguards

Episode 15

The Bodyguards

Jan 12, 1973

The police hire the Protectors to guard the corpse of a bank robber as part of a ruse to capture his accomplices.

A Matter of Life and Death

Episode 16

A Matter of Life and Death

Jan 19, 1973

In Malta, with only the body of a dead hippie as a clue, the Protectors go after smugglers despite having no idea what it is that is being smuggled.

The Big Hit

Episode 17

The Big Hit

Jan 26, 1973

After unsuccessful attempts on their lives, Paul and the Contessa are too late to warn Harry that someone is out to kill him.

One and One Makes One

Episode 18

One and One Makes One

Feb 2, 1973

The Protectors are hired to track down Bennett, a missing Canadian agent who holds valuable information about a new American-Canadian sky project.

Talkdown

Episode 19

Talkdown

Feb 9, 1973

Harry must land a small plane on his own when the pilot dies.

Vocal

Episode 20

Vocal

Feb 16, 1973

Drug dealers plan on using someone who can impersonate Harry's voice in order to get information out of a blinded Paul.

With A Little Help From My Friends

Episode 21

With A Little Help From My Friends

Feb 23, 1973

Harry finds his family being threatened after he agrees to guard a visiting president in London.

Chase

Episode 22

Chase

Mar 2, 1973

The Contessa gives Harry a shotgun for his birthday which he soon puts to good use when while investigating political blackmail he becomes the quarry in a manhunt.

Your Witness

Episode 23

Your Witness

Mar 9, 1973

An important witness to a murder who doesn't want the Protectors protection, vanishes soon after she is placed in the Protectors charge.

It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island

Episode 24

It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island

Mar 16, 1973

A small fluffy dog called Muffin is kidnapped from a hotel to place a microfilm in its collar. The dog is due to be ttansaported to NY. Harry saves the day.

The First Circle

Episode 25

The First Circle

Mar 23, 1973

Harry is hired to protect a disturbed Vietnam war veteran.

A Case For the Right

Episode 26

A Case For the Right

Mar 30, 1973

The Protectors end up in trouble in the Roman tombs.

About the series

The Protectors poster
Audience score
★ 6.1 /10

based on 14 votes

Synopsis

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.

Action & AdventureCrimeDrama

Cast

3 principal cast

Robert Vaughn

Robert Vaughn

Harry Rule

Tony Anholt

Tony Anholt

Paul Buchet

Nyree Dawn Porter

Nyree Dawn Porter

Contessa Caroline de Conti

Where to watch The Protectors

The Protectors is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The action & adventure from Gerry Anderson has 2 seasons and 52 total episodes, rated 6.1/10 by 14 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does The Protectors have?

The Protectors has 2 seasons with 52 episodes in total.

Is The Protectors still on the air?

The Protectors has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs The Protectors?

The Protectors airs on Associated Television.

When did The Protectors first air?

The Protectors first aired on September 29, 1972.

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