The Pretender 1996
“Hero of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand lives.”
What is The Pretender?
The Pretender is an American action drama television series created by Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1996
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 86
- Runtime
- 43 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 19, 1996
- Last aired
- May 13, 2000
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 86 episodes and an average 43-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Pretender is an American action drama television series created by Steven Long Mitchell and Craig W. Van Sickle. It originally aired on NBC from September 19, 1996, to May 13, 2000, spanning four seasons. The show centers on Jarod, a genius known as a "Pretender" who can instantly master any profession or skill. Raised in a secret facility where he was subjected to experiments as a child, Jarod eventually escapes after learning the true nature of his captivity. As he travels across the country, he takes on different identities and jobs while assisting strangers he encounters. Meanwhile, he remains evasive of Miss Parker, a woman tasked with capturing him and returning him to the facility. The series explores themes of identity, freedom, and morality through its episodic structure and ongoing narrative threads. Two television movies were later produced and released in 2001 by Turner Network Television following the show's cancellation. The main cast includes Michael T. Weiss as Jarod and Andrea Parker as Miss Parker.
Should you watch it?
“A genius escapes a secret facility and uses his skills to help others while evading capture.”
- Unique premise with psychological depth
- Strong central performance by Michael T. Weiss
- Mix of standalone cases and serialized mystery
- Slow pacing in early episodes
- Some plotlines can feel repetitive
You enjoy character-driven dramas with mystery and emotional depth.
Suitable for teens and adults who appreciate drama with occasional suspenseful moments.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Pilot Sep 19, 1996
- E2 Every Picture Tells A Story Sep 28, 1996
- E3 Flyer Oct 19, 1996
- E4 Curious Jarod Oct 26, 1996
- E5 The Paper Clock Nov 2, 1996
- E6 To Protect and Serve Nov 9, 1996
- E7 A Virus Among Us Nov 16, 1996
- E8 Not Even A Mouse Dec 14, 1996
- E9 Mirage Jan 4, 1997
- E10 Better Part Of Valor Jan 11, 1997
- E11 Bomb Squad Jan 18, 1997
- E12 Prison Story Feb 1, 1997
- E13 Bazooka Jarod Feb 8, 1997
- E14 Ranger Jarod Feb 15, 1997
- E15 Jaroldo! Mar 8, 1997
- E16 Under The Reds Mar 22, 1997
- E17 Keys Apr 5, 1997
- E18 Unhappy Landings Apr 26, 1997
- E19 Jarod's Honor May 3, 1997
- E20 Baby Love May 10, 1997
- E21 The Dragon House (1) May 17, 1997
- E22 The Dragon House (2) May 17, 1997
Season 2 · 22 episodes
- E1 Back From The Dead Again Nov 1, 1997
- E2 Scott Free Nov 8, 1997
- E3 Over The Edge Nov 15, 1997
- E4 Exposed Nov 22, 1997
- E5 Nip and Tuck Dec 6, 1997
- E6 Past Sim Dec 13, 1997
- E7 Collateral Damage Jan 3, 1998
- E8 Hazards Jan 10, 1998
- E9 FX Jan 17, 1998
- E10 Indy Show Jan 31, 1998
- E11 Gigolo Jarod Feb 7, 1998
- E12 Toy Surprise Mar 7, 1998
- E13 A Stand Up Guy Mar 14, 1998
- E14 Unforgotten Mar 21, 1998
- E15 Bulletproof Mar 28, 1998
- E16 Silence Apr 4, 1998
- E17 Crash Apr 11, 1998
- E18 Stolen May 2, 1998
- E19 Red Rock Jarod May 2, 1998
- E20 Bank May 9, 1998
- E21 Bloodlines (1) May 16, 1998
- E22 Bloodlines (2) May 16, 1998
Season 3 · 22 episodes
- E1 Crazy Oct 17, 1998
- E2 Hope and Prey Oct 24, 1998
- E3 Once in a Blue Moon Oct 31, 1998
- E4 Someone to Trust Nov 7, 1998
- E5 Betrayal Nov 14, 1998
- E6 Parole Nov 21, 1998
- E7 Homefront Dec 12, 1998
- E8 Flesh and Blood Jan 2, 1999
- E9 Murder 101 Jan 9, 1999
- E10 Mr. Lee Feb 6, 1999
- E11 The Assassin Feb 6, 1999
- E12 Unsinkable Feb 13, 1999
- E13 Pool Feb 20, 1999
- E14 At the Hour of Our Death Feb 27, 1999
- E15 Countdown Mar 20, 1999
- E16 P.T.B. Apr 3, 1999
- E17 Ties That Bind Apr 10, 1999
- E18 Wake Up May 1, 1999
- E19 End Game (I) May 8, 1999
- E20 Qallupilluit May 22, 1999
- E21 Donoterase (1) May 22, 1999
- E22 Donoterase (2) May 22, 1999
Season 4 · 20 episodes
- E1 The World's Changing Sep 25, 1999
- E2 Survival Oct 2, 1999
- E3 Angel's Flight Oct 30, 1999
- E4 Risque Business Nov 6, 1999
- E5 Road Trip Nov 13, 1999
- E6 Extreme Dec 4, 1999
- E7 Wild Child Dec 11, 1999
- E8 Rules of Engagement Jan 8, 2000
- E9 'Til Death Do Us Part Jan 15, 2000
- E10 Spin Doctor (I) Feb 5, 2000
- E11 Cold Dick Feb 12, 2000
- E12 Lifeline Feb 19, 2000
- E13 Ghosts From The Past Feb 26, 2000
- E14 The Agent Of Year Zero Mar 11, 2000
- E15 Junk Mar 25, 2000
- E16 School Daze Apr 22, 2000
- E17 Meltdown Apr 29, 2000
- E18 Corn Man A Comin' May 6, 2000
- E19 The Inner Sense (1) May 13, 2000
- E20 The Inner Sense (2) May 13, 2000
Frequently asked questions
What is Jarod's ability exactly?
He can instantly master any skill and impersonate anyone seamlessly.
Is the show standalone or serialized?
It mixes weekly standalone cases with an ongoing serialized mystery.
Does Jarod ever find his family?
His search for his identity and family is a major storyline throughout the series.
Who is chasing Jarod?
Agents from the facility where he was held, including the persistent Miss Parker.
Where was the show filmed?
The series was primarily filmed in various locations to match its changing settings.