The Detectives
A ABC Original
Set in a bustling metropolis, The Detectives follows Captain Matt Holbrook, the seasoned head of the city's detective division. He leads a tight crew of officers who combine sharp instincts with genuine humanity. Lt Johnny Russo, Lt Otto Lindstrom, and Sgt Chris Ballard pull cases through careful... Read more
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About The Detectives
Set in a bustling metropolis, The Detectives follows Captain Matt Holbrook, the seasoned head of the city's detective division. He leads a tight crew of officers who combine sharp instincts with genuine humanity. Lt Johnny Russo, Lt Otto Lindstrom, and Sgt Chris Ballard pull cases through careful observation, quick thinking, and hard earned teamwork. Each episode places the squad in high tension investigations that test their judgment and loyalty, balancing procedural twists with personal moments that reveal the toll of crime on the people who chase it. The show blends action, suspense, and drama as the detectives close in on suspects and protect the public. Holbrook leads with steady resolve that earns trust.
Created by Jules V Levy, The Detectives aired on ABC for its first two seasons and moved to NBC for a final run. Produced by Four Star Television, the series showcased Robert Taylor in a commanding role as Captain Matt Holbrook. Directors varied across episodes, reflecting the show's procedural nature.
Reception and themes: Critics praised its blend of brisk crime solving with human drama, and the way strong leadership and close teamwork help crack cases. The show's themes include professional integrity, the strain of danger, and the quiet cost of policing on personal lives. It treats detectives as real people who rely on trust and mentorship.
Though not a household name today, the series captures late 1950s TV's move toward police procedurals that mix action with character drama. It helped establish the template of a police squad as a tight, interdependent unit. It also features Adam West in an early role before his later fame as Batman.
Awards: The Detectives did not receive major nominations during its run, though it was appreciated by fans of classic crime drama for its ensemble performances and grounded take on police work.
Details
- Release Date
- October 16, 1959
- Episode Length
- 30m
- User Ratings
- 8 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 3
- Episodes
- 97
- Network
- ABC
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Drama
- Country
- United States
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Cast
Robert Taylor
Captain Matt Holbrook
Ursula Thiess
Lisa Bonay
Mark Goddard
Sgt. Chris Ballard
Tige Andrews
Lt. Johnny Russo
Adam West
Sgt. Steve Nelson
Created by: Jules V. Levy
Seasons (3 seasons, 97 episodes)
Season 1
33 episodes - 1959
Season 2
35 episodes - 1960
Season 3
29 episodes - 1961