The Protectors

Series Spotlight

The Protectors

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...

Story Overview

About The Protectors

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.

Quick Facts

Streaming Snapshot

Release Year

1972

TMDB Rating

6.1

Available Sources

19

Watch Path

/tv/the-protectors-4354

Seasons & Episodes

Pick a season from the carousel, then browse its episodes inside a focused scroll container built for mobile, tablet, and desktop viewing.

2 seasons available

Season 1

26 episodes | 1972-09-29

Season 1 2,000 ft to DieE1

2,000 ft to Die

Episode 1
Runtime TBA1972-09-29TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 Brother HoodE2

Brother Hood

Episode 2
Runtime TBA1972-10-06TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 See No EvilE3

See No Evil

Episode 3
Runtime TBA1972-10-13TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 Disappearing TrickE4

Disappearing Trick

Episode 4
Runtime TBA1972-10-20TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 Ceremony For the DeadE5

Ceremony For the Dead

Episode 5
Runtime TBA1972-10-27TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 It Was All Over in LeipzigE6

It Was All Over in Leipzig

Episode 6
Runtime TBA1972-11-03TMDB N/A

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.

Season 1 The Quick Brown FoxE7

The Quick Brown Fox

Episode 7
Runtime TBA1972-11-10TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 King ConE8

King Con

Episode 8
Runtime TBA1972-11-17TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 ThinkbackE9

Thinkback

Episode 9
Runtime TBA1972-11-24TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 A Kind of Wild JusticeE10

A Kind of Wild Justice

Episode 10
Runtime TBA1972-12-01TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 Balance of TerrorE11

Balance of Terror

Episode 11
Runtime TBA1972-12-08TMDB N/A

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.

Season 1 Triple CrossE12

Triple Cross

Episode 12
Runtime TBA1972-12-15TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 The Numbers GameE13

The Numbers Game

Episode 13
Runtime TBA1972-12-29TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 For the Rest of Your Natural ...E14

For the Rest of Your Natural ...

Episode 14
Runtime TBA1973-01-05TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 The BodyguardsE15

The Bodyguards

Episode 15
Runtime TBA1973-01-12TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 A Matter of Life and DeathE16

A Matter of Life and Death

Episode 16
Runtime TBA1973-01-19TMDB N/A

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.

Season 1 The Big HitE17

The Big Hit

Episode 17
Runtime TBA1973-01-26TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 One and One Makes OneE18

One and One Makes One

Episode 18
Runtime TBA1973-02-02TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 TalkdownE19

Talkdown

Episode 19
Runtime TBA1973-02-09TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 VocalE20

Vocal

Episode 20
Runtime TBA1973-02-16TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 With A Little Help From My FriendsE21

With A Little Help From My Friends

Episode 21
Runtime TBA1973-02-23TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 ChaseE22

Chase

Episode 22
Runtime TBA1973-03-02TMDB N/A

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.

Season 1 Your WitnessE23

Your Witness

Episode 23
Runtime TBA1973-03-09TMDB N/A

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

Season 1 It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the IslandE24

It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island

Episode 24
Runtime TBA1973-03-16TMDB N/A

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.

Season 1 The First CircleE25

The First Circle

Episode 25
Runtime TBA1973-03-23TMDB 10.0

Harry is hired to protect a disturbed Vietnam war veteran.

Season 1 A Case For the RightE26

A Case For the Right

Episode 26
Runtime TBA1973-03-30TMDB N/A

The Protectors end up in trouble in the Roman tombs.

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