The Hitchhiker 1983
“He takes you places you don't want to visit alone.”
What is The Hitchhiker?
The Hitchhiker is a mystery horror anthology television series that premiered in 1983. Created by Lewis Chesler, Riff Markowitz, and Richard Rothstein, the program served as the first original drama series produced for HBO.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1983
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 85
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Nov 23, 1983
- Last aired
- Feb 22, 1991
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- CA, US
- Networks
- HBO, USA Network
- Genres
- Drama, Crime
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 85 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Hitchhiker is a mystery horror anthology television series that premiered in 1983. Created by Lewis Chesler, Riff Markowitz, and Richard Rothstein, the program served as the first original drama series produced for HBO. The show is also known as Deadly Nightmares in the United Kingdom and Le Voyageur in France. The series aired on HBO, First Choice, and NTV in Canada from 1983 to 1987 before moving to the USA Network from 1989 to 1991. Each episode features a young hitchhiker who introduces and closes the stories, a framing device similar to the work of Rod Serling or Alfred Hitchcock. While some episodes incorporate supernatural elements, most plot twists are driven by the darker aspects of the human spirit. The series earned eight ACE Awards and became a high-ranking program on pay television during its run. Notable cast members appearing in the anthology include Page Fletcher, Nicholas Campbell, Vincent Grass, and Kirstie Alley. The show continued its broadcast history through 1997.
Should you watch it?
“A mysterious hitchhiker introduces individuals to frightening and supernatural encounters in this anthology series.”
- unique anthology format
- atmospheric storytelling
- contains frightening themes
Watch it if you enjoy supernatural anthology series featuring self-contained stories.
The series features frightening and supernatural themes that may not be suitable for all viewers.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Shattered Vows Nov 23, 1983
- E2 When Morning Comes Nov 30, 1983
- E3 Split Decision Dec 14, 1983
- E4 Lovesounds Nov 13, 1984
- E5 Remembering Melody Nov 27, 1984
- E6 Face To Face Dec 4, 1984
- E7 And If We Dream Jan 15, 1985
- E8 Petty Thieves Jan 29, 1985
- E9 Videodate Feb 16, 1985
- E10 A Time For Rifles Mar 2, 1985
- E11 Man at the Window Mar 12, 1985
- E12 Hired Help Mar 26, 1985
- E13 Murderous Feelings Apr 9, 1985
- E14 Nightshift Oct 15, 1985
- E15 Out of the Night Oct 29, 1985
- E16 The Killer Nov 12, 1985
- E17 W.G.O.D. Nov 26, 1985
- E18 Man's Best Friend Dec 10, 1985
- E19 Ghostwriter Jan 7, 1986
- E20 O.D. Feelin' Jan 28, 1986
- E21 Dead Man's Curve Feb 11, 1986
- E22 The Curse Feb 25, 1986
- E23 True Believer Mar 11, 1986
- E24 Last Scene Mar 25, 1986
- E25 Man of Her Dreams Apr 8, 1986
- E26 One Last Prayer Apr 22, 1986
Season 2 · 13 episodes
- E1 Perfect Order Feb 17, 1987
- E2 Minuteman Feb 24, 1987
- E3 Dead Heat Mar 3, 1987
- E4 Why Are You Here? Mar 10, 1987
- E5 Homebodies Mar 17, 1987
- E6 Doctor's Orders Mar 24, 1987
- E7 The Legendary Billy B. Mar 31, 1987
- E8 In the Name of Love Apr 7, 1987
- E9 Made For Each Other Apr 14, 1987
- E10 Joker Apr 21, 1987
- E11 Best Shot Apr 28, 1987
- E12 Secret Ingredient May 5, 1987
- E13 Cabin Fever May 12, 1987
Season 3 · 26 episodes
- E1 The Martyr Apr 22, 1989
- E2 In Living Color Apr 29, 1989
- E3 Dark Wishes Jul 1, 1989
- E4 Garter Belt Jul 7, 1989
- E5 Shadow Puppets Jul 8, 1989
- E6 Renaissance Jul 14, 1989
- E7 The Miracle of Alice Ames Jul 15, 1989
- E8 3615 Code-Liz Jul 21, 1989
- E9 Her Finest Hour Jul 22, 1989
- E10 Together Forever Jul 28, 1989
- E11 Phantom Zone Aug 4, 1989
- E12 Spinning Wheel Aug 5, 1989
- E13 Square Deal Aug 11, 1989
- E14 Part of Me Aug 12, 1989
- E15 Fashion Exchange Aug 18, 1989
- E16 Hootch Sep 16, 1989
- E17 Coach Sep 30, 1989
- E18 The Verdict Nov 4, 1989
- E19 Hit & Run Nov 10, 1989
- E20 Studio 3X Nov 11, 1989
- E21 Striptease Nov 17, 1989
- E22 Cruelest Cut Nov 18, 1989
- E23 Dying Generation Nov 24, 1989
- E24 My Enemy Nov 25, 1989
- E25 Power Play Dec 9, 1989
- E26 Pawns Dec 16, 1989
Season 4 · 20 episodes
- E1 Fading Away Sep 21, 1990
- E2 Tough Guys Don't Whine Sep 28, 1990
- E3 Riding the Nightmare Oct 5, 1990
- E4 Strate Shooter Oct 12, 1990
- E5 Hard Rhyme Oct 19, 1990
- E6 Toxic Shock Oct 26, 1990
- E7 New Dawn Nov 2, 1990
- E8 A Function of Control Nov 9, 1990
- E9 Trust Me Nov 16, 1990
- E10 Windows Nov 23, 1990
- E11 Working Girl Nov 30, 1990
- E12 White Slaves Dec 7, 1990
- E13 Tourist Trap Dec 14, 1990
- E14 Homecoming Jan 11, 1991
- E15 Living a Lie Jan 18, 1991
- E16 Made In Paris Jan 25, 1991
- E17 A Whole New You Feb 1, 1991
- E18 Offspring Feb 8, 1991
- E19 Secrets Feb 15, 1991
- E20 New Blood Feb 22, 1991
Frequently asked questions
What is the premise of the series?
A young hitchhiker introduces characters who face frightening or supernatural incidents.
What genre is the show?
It is a moody anthology series.
Are the episodes connected?
The episodes are linked by the presence of a hitchhiker who introduces the characters.
What kind of stories are told?
Each episode features a different story involving frightening or supernatural events.
Is this a horror show?
The series focuses on frightening and supernatural incidents.