---
title: "Person of Interest"
year: 2011
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/person-of-interest-2011"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 1411
imdb_id: "tt1839578"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 5
episodes_count: 103
community_rating: 8.1
vote_count: 2086
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# Person of Interest (2011) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/person-of-interest-2011

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Person of Interest is an American science fiction crime drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2011, to June 21, 2016. Created by Jonathan Nolan, the series spanned five seasons and 103 episodes. The executive producers included Jonathan Nolan, J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, and Greg Plageman. The story follows John Reese, a former CIA paramilitary operative who is presumed dead. He teams up with a reclusive billionaire and genius software inventor named Harold Finch. Together, the two operate in New York City to prevent violent crimes before they happen. Utilizing surveillance equipment and Reese's specialized training in covert operations, the pair initiates their own form of justice while working outside the law to ensure criminals are apprehended. The cast features Jim Caviezel as John Reese, alongside Michael Emerson, Taraji P. Henson, and Kevin Chapman. The series explores their partnership as they leverage Finch's technological inventions to address criminal activity and maintain public safety within the city.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A presumed-dead CIA operative and a billionaire genius team up to stop crimes before they occur."

### Why Watch
- unique premise
- strong character dynamic
- engaging mystery

### Caveats & Content Note
- complex narrative
- dark themes
- Tone & Suitability: The series contains depictions of violent crime and themes related to surveillance and covert operations.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: science fiction, crime drama, suspenseful, gritty

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Netflix, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (23 Episodes)
Person of Interest is an American science fiction crime drama television series that aired on CBS. The series was created by Jonathan Nolan. It follows Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire and software genius, and John Reese, a former CIA paramilitary operative, as they use state-of-the-art technology to identify and prevent violent crimes in New York City. The two secretly tap into a supercomputer known as "The Machine" that analyzes data patterns in surveillance to identify impending acts of terrorism and ordinary people who are about to be involved in violent crimes. The series explores the complex relationship between Finch and Reese as they navigate their vigilante tactics and confront the moral implications of their actions.

### Season 2 (22 Episodes)
Person of Interest Season 2 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes. The series follows John Reese, who is a former CIA paramilitary operative. The narrative is part of an action, adventure, crime, sci-fi, and fantasy television series that originally aired on CBS. Because the provided source material contains only brief promotional text and basic database entries about the series, specific narrative details, character arcs, and episodic plots for Season 2 beyond the 22-episode count and the background of John Reese cannot be stated. The show continues to explore its core premise involving surveillance and individuals of interest as detailed across database records from sources including The Movie Database and ČSFD.cz.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S2)**:
- John Reese is a former CIA paramilitary operative who is presumed dead.
- The series falls under the genres of action, adventure, crime, and sci-fi and fantasy.
- The show is an original series broadcast on CBS.
- Season 2 consists of 22 episodes continuing the overarching saga.

### Season 3 (23 Episodes)
Person of Interest Season 3 continues the overarching saga across 23 episodes. The series features action and adventure, crime, and sci-fi and fantasy elements. John Reese is identified as a former CIA paramilitary operative who is presumed dead. The production is broadcast on CBS and has received user and critic ratings across platforms such as The Movie Database, ČSFD.cz, and Kinobox.cz, reflecting its ongoing status as a television series that follows characters who are being watched.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S3)**:
- John Reese is a former CIA paramilitary operative who is presumed dead.
- The series centers on characters who are being watched.
- The overarching narrative involves action, crime, and sci-fi and fantasy elements.
- The series originally premiered on CBS as an original television series.

### Season 4 (22 Episodes)
Person of Interest Season 4 continues the overarching saga across 22 episodes. The series is an American science fiction crime drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2011, to June 21, 2016, with its five seasons consisting of 103 episodes. John Reese, former CIA paramilitary operative, is presumed dead or involved in events detailed across the series run. The production involves action and adventure, crime, and sci-fi and fantasy elements. Viewers watch the ongoing narrative as the characters navigate their world where they are being watched.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S4)**:
- The series follows John Reese, who is a former CIA paramilitary operative and is presumed dead or involved in prior events.
- The overarching saga is broadcast as an American science fiction crime drama television series on CBS.
- The series combines elements of action, adventure, crime, and sci-fi and fantasy across its multi-season run.
- The foundational premise establishes that people are being watched by surveillance systems.

### Season 5 (13 Episodes)
Person of Interest Season 5 continues the overarching saga across 13 episodes of the American science fiction crime drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2011, to June 21, 2016, with its five seasons consisting of 103 episodes. The series features John Reese, who is a former CIA paramilitary operative. The production blends elements of action, adventure, crime, science fiction, and fantasy.

**Essential Lore Primer (Before Watching S5)**:
- Person of Interest is an American science fiction crime drama television series that aired on CBS.
- The series originally premiered on September 22, 2011, and concluded on June 21, 2016.
- The complete television run spans five seasons consisting of 103 episodes.
- John Reese is featured as a former CIA paramilitary operative.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 103
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 14 (14%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 89 (86%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Jonathan Nolan
- **Networks / Studios**: CBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Jim Caviezel** as *John Reese*
- **Michael Emerson** as *Harold Finch*
- **Kevin Chapman** as *Lionel Fusco*
- **Taraji P. Henson** as *Joss Carter*
- **Amy Acker** as *Root*
- **Sarah Shahi** as *Sameen Shaw*
- **John Nolan** as *John Greer*
- **Enrico Colantoni** as *Carl Elias*
- **Robert John Burke** as *Patrick Simmons*
- **Al Sapienza** as *Raymond Terney*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the premise of the show?
A former CIA operative and a billionaire software genius work together to prevent violent crimes in New York City.

### Q: Who created the series?
The series was created by Jonathan Nolan.

### Q: When did the show air?
The series aired on CBS from September 22, 2011, to June 21, 2016.

### Q: How many episodes are there?
The series consists of 103 episodes across five seasons.

### Q: Who are the primary characters?
The primary characters are John Reese, a former CIA paramilitary operative, and Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [PERSON Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person)
- [Person of Interest (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_Interest_(TV_series))
- [Person of Interest (TV Series 2011-2016) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1839578/)
- [PERSON | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/person)
- [Create new possibilities with Pearson. Start learning today.](https://www.pearson.com/en-us.html)
- [Person of Interest (TV Series 2011-2016) - Cast & Crew — The Movie ...](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/1411-person-of-interest/cast)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*