The Protectors 1972
What is The Protectors?
The Protectors is a British action thriller television series created by Gerry Anderson. Produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment, the program is notable for being the second series in Anderson's career to utilize live actors rather than electronic marionettes.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1972
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 52
- Runtime
- 25 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 29, 1972
- Last aired
- Mar 15, 1974
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- Associated Television
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 52 episodes and an average 25-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Protectors is a British action thriller television series created by Gerry Anderson. Produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment, the program is notable for being the second series in Anderson's career to utilize live actors rather than electronic marionettes. It also stands as the second series in his filmography to be set firmly in contemporary times. Among Anderson's body of work, this production is unique as the only one he produced that does not feature fantasy or science fiction elements. Despite the absence of marionettes or science fiction themes, the series achieved significant success. The show became one of Anderson's most popular productions, ultimately securing a renewal for a subsequent season. The series remains a distinct entry in the creator's history, marking a departure from his typical genre work while maintaining a strong audience following. By focusing on live-action thriller narratives, the production demonstrated Anderson's ability to succeed outside of his established science fiction roots while working under the ITC Entertainment banner.
Should you watch it?
“A team of professionals navigates high-stakes international assignments in this action-packed British thriller series.”
- innovative production from Gerry Anderson
- engaging international settings
- lacks the science fiction elements of other Anderson works
Watch it if you enjoy classic British action thrillers set in the contemporary world.
The series contains standard action-oriented content suitable for general audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 2,000 ft to Die Sep 29, 1972
- E2 Brother Hood Oct 6, 1972
- E3 See No Evil Oct 13, 1972
- E4 Disappearing Trick Oct 20, 1972
- E5 Ceremony For the Dead Oct 27, 1972
- E6 It Was All Over in Leipzig Nov 3, 1972
- E7 The Quick Brown Fox Nov 10, 1972
- E8 King Con Nov 17, 1972
- E9 Thinkback Nov 24, 1972
- E10 A Kind of Wild Justice Dec 1, 1972
- E11 Balance of Terror Dec 8, 1972
- E12 Triple Cross Dec 15, 1972
- E13 The Numbers Game Dec 29, 1972
- E14 For the Rest of Your Natural ... Jan 5, 1973
- E15 The Bodyguards Jan 12, 1973
- E16 A Matter of Life and Death Jan 19, 1973
- E17 The Big Hit Jan 26, 1973
- E18 One and One Makes One Feb 2, 1973
- E19 Talkdown Feb 9, 1973
- E20 Vocal Feb 16, 1973
- E21 With A Little Help From My Friends Feb 23, 1973
- E22 Chase Mar 2, 1973
- E23 Your Witness Mar 9, 1973
- E24 It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island Mar 16, 1973
- E25 The First Circle Mar 23, 1973
- E26 A Case For the Right Mar 30, 1973
Season 2 · 26 episodes
- E1 Quin Sep 21, 1973
- E2 Bagman Sep 28, 1973
- E3 Fighting Fund Oct 5, 1973
- E4 The Last Frontier Oct 12, 1973
- E5 Baubles, Bangles and Beads Oct 19, 1973
- E6 Petard Oct 26, 1973
- E7 Goodbye George Nov 2, 1973
- E8 Wam (1) Nov 9, 1973
- E9 Wam (2) Nov 16, 1973
- E10 Implicado Nov 23, 1973
- E11 Dragon Chase Nov 30, 1973
- E12 Decoy Dec 7, 1973
- E13 Border Line Dec 14, 1973
- E14 Zeke's Blues Dec 21, 1973
- E15 Lena Dec 28, 1973
- E16 The Bridge Jan 4, 1974
- E17 Sugar and Spice Jan 11, 1974
- E18 Burning Bush Jan 18, 1974
- E19 The Tiger and the Goat Jan 25, 1974
- E20 Route 27 Feb 1, 1974
- E21 Trial Feb 8, 1974
- E22 Shadbolt Feb 15, 1974
- E23 A Pocketful of Posies Feb 22, 1974
- E24 Wheels Mar 1, 1974
- E25 The Insider Feb 25, 1974
- E26 Blockbuster Mar 15, 1974
Frequently asked questions
Who created the series?
The series was created by Gerry Anderson.
What genre is the show?
It is an action thriller.
Does the show feature marionettes?
No, the series uses live actors rather than electronic marionettes.
Who produced the series?
The show was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment.
Is this a science fiction series?
No, it is the only Gerry Anderson series that does not feature fantasy or science fiction elements.