Banacek 1972
What is Banacek?
Banacek was an American detective television series that aired on NBC from 1972 to 1974. The show starred George Peppard in the title role and was part of NBC's Wednesday Mystery Movie rotating anthology series.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1972
- Status
- Canceled
- Episodes
- 16
- Runtime
- 70 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 13, 1972
- Last aired
- Mar 12, 1974
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Updated
Where to watch
Stream
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 16 episodes and an average 70-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Banacek was an American detective television series that aired on NBC from 1972 to 1974. The show starred George Peppard in the title role and was part of NBC's Wednesday Mystery Movie rotating anthology series. Along with several other programs, Banacek alternated broadcast time slots within the same weekly mystery television block. The series distinguished itself by being the only show in this rotating lineup to continue beyond its initial season. During its run, the program featured self-contained episodes typical of the anthology format, with each installment presenting a new mystery for the main character to solve. The show's longevity within the rotating schedule demonstrated its popularity compared to other programs sharing the same time period. Banacek maintained its presence on the network for two seasons before concluding its run. The series contributed to the 1970s television landscape as part of the popular mystery genre programming that dominated network schedules during that era.
Should you watch it?
“A clever insurance investigator solves intricate and unusual mysteries in this classic detective series.”
- engaging lead performance
- intricate mystery plots
- rotating schedule format
Watch it if you enjoy classic 1970s detective dramas featuring sophisticated investigators solving complex crimes.
The series is a standard television mystery drama suitable for general audiences.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Banacek — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is Banacek worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Let's Hear It for a Living Legend Sep 13, 1972
- E2 Project Phoenix Sep 27, 1972
- E3 No Sign of the Cross Oct 11, 1972
- E4 A Million the Hard Way Nov 1, 1972
- E5 To Steal a King Nov 15, 1972
- E6 Ten Thousand Dollars a Page Jan 10, 1973
- E7 The Greatest Collection of Them All Jan 24, 1973
- E8 The Two Million Clams of Cap'n Jack Feb 7, 1973
Season 2 · 8 episodes
- E1 No Stone Unturned Oct 3, 1973
- E2 If Max Is So Smart, Why Doesn't He Tell Us Where He Is? Nov 7, 1973
- E3 The Three Million Dollar Piracy Nov 21, 1973
- E4 The Vanishing Chalice Jan 15, 1974
- E5 Horse of a Slightly Different Color Jan 22, 1974
- E6 Rocket to Oblivion Feb 12, 1974
- E7 Fly Me- If You Can Find Me Feb 19, 1974
- E8 Now You See Me, Now You Don't Mar 12, 1974
Frequently asked questions
Who plays the lead role?
George Peppard stars as the title character, Thomas Banacek.
When did the series air?
The show aired on NBC from 1972 to 1974.
What is the premise of the show?
Thomas Banacek is a freelance insurance investigator based in Boston who specializes in solving unusual mysteries.
Was the show part of a larger series?
Yes, it was part of the rotating NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology.
How long did the show run?
The series aired from 1972 to 1974 and was the only show in its anthology rotation to last beyond its first season.