Man from Atlantis

Mark Harris is discovered alive after the sunken city of Atlantis and proves to be unlike anyone on the surface. He can breathe and move freely underwater, survive immense depth pressures, and display strength that outperforms ordinary humans. Scientists Dr. Elizabeth Merrill and Dr. Crawford study him, trying to piece together where he came from and how his physiology works, while Mark copes with loneliness and curiosity about modern life. Episodes mix rescue missions, encounters with hostile interests, and quieter scenes that show his effort to understand human relationships and moral choices, all without revealing the deeper secrets of his origin.

Created by Mayo Simon, the show premiered in 1977 and stars Patrick Duffy as Mark Harris, with Belinda Montgomery and Alan Fudge in supporting roles. It ran on television during the late 1970s as a blend of science fiction, drama, and action.

The series did not receive major industry awards or widespread nomination attention, in part because its run was relatively short. That said, it attracted notice for its unusual concept and the lead performance, and it has been revisited by genre fans and critics looking at period television.

Over time Man from Atlantis carved out a place in pop culture as a recognizable piece of 1970s TV sci-fi. Its underwater photography and the lead character’s unusual abilities made it easy for viewers to remember, and the show helped raise Patrick Duffy’s profile before his later work. It shows up in retrospectives about genre television and 1970s style.

Critical reception at the time was mixed and audience reaction varied, with modern user ratings roughly 6.46 out of 10 based on a small sample. The series threads themes of identity, isolation, and the tension between scientific curiosity and military or corporate exploitation, while often centering on ethical choices about how someone different is treated by society.