
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.
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Air Date: 1972-09-29
A friend of Harry's insists on doing a dangerous skydiving trick despite the fact that gold smugglers are trying to k...
Air Date: 1972-10-06
A wealthy recluse hires the Protectors to break his brother out of prison.
Air Date: 1972-10-13
While in Rome the Protectors try to help a senator who is being blackmailed.
Air Date: 1972-10-20
The Contessa ends up putting her life in danger when she agrees to help an old friend win a wager by making him disap...
Air Date: 1972-10-27
The wife of a president hires the Protectors to guard her critically ill husband whom she fears may be kidnapped.
Air Date: 1972-11-03
While investigating a plot to overthrow the government of a Mediterranean nation the Protectors end up confronting tw...
Air Date: 1972-11-10
The West German government hires the Protectors to put a pension fund that is supporting fugitive Nazi's out of busin...
Air Date: 1972-11-17
The Protectors devise an elaborate con to recover a priceless antique which a woman had been conned out of.
Air Date: 1972-11-24
Harry and the Contessa are the victims of a car crash that was engineered to get information out of them.
Air Date: 1972-12-01
The daughter of a gangster whom Harry helped put in prison fails twice in her efforts to kill Harry.
Air Date: 1972-12-08
The KGB hires the Protectors to capture a renegade Russian scientist who plans on destroying London with a new virus ...
Air Date: 1972-12-15
A kidnapped Paul will be blown to bits unless Harry and the Contessa help steal jewels which they have been hired to ...
Air Date: 1972-12-29
The Protectors only hope of putting a drug smuggling ring out of business lies in being able to decode a coded letter.
Air Date: 1973-01-05
The Contessa is captured by a psychotic killer who puts her on trial for her life.
Air Date: 1973-01-12
The police hire the Protectors to guard the corpse of a bank robber as part of a ruse to capture his accomplices.
Air Date: 1973-01-19
In Malta, with only the body of a dead hippie as a clue, the Protectors go after smugglers despite having no idea wha...
Air Date: 1973-01-26
After unsuccessful attempts on their lives, Paul and the Contessa are too late to warn Harry that someone is out to k...
Air Date: 1973-02-02
The Protectors are hired to track down Bennett, a missing Canadian agent who holds valuable information about a new A...
Air Date: 1973-02-09
Harry must land a small plane on his own when the pilot dies.
Air Date: 1973-02-16
Drug dealers plan on using someone who can impersonate Harry's voice in order to get information out of a blinded Paul.
Air Date: 1973-02-23
Harry finds his family being threatened after he agrees to guard a visiting president in London.
Air Date: 1973-03-02
The Contessa gives Harry a shotgun for his birthday which he soon puts to good use when while investigating political...
Air Date: 1973-03-09
An important witness to a murder who doesn't want the Protectors protection, vanishes soon after she is placed in the...
Air Date: 1973-03-16
A small fluffy dog called Muffin is kidnapped from a hotel to place a microfilm in its collar. The dog is due to be ...
Air Date: 1973-03-23
Harry is hired to protect a disturbed Vietnam war veteran.
Air Date: 1973-03-30
The Protectors end up in trouble in the Roman tombs.