The Detectives poster

The Detectives

TV Show 1959 30m/ep 6.1 /10 Ended
ABC A ABC Original
Created by Jules V. Levy

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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Streaming availability last verified: January 25, 2026

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

Robert Taylor

Captain Matt Holbrook

Ursula Thiess

Ursula Thiess

Lisa Bonay

Mark Goddard

Mark Goddard

Sgt. Chris Ballard

Tige Andrews

Tige Andrews

Lt. Johnny Russo

Adam West

Adam West

Sgt. Steve Nelson

Created by: Jules V. Levy

Seasons (3 seasons, 97 episodes)

S1

Season 1

33 episodes - 1959

S2

Season 2

35 episodes - 1960

S3

Season 3

29 episodes - 1961

Frequently Asked Questions

The Detectives is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

The Detectives has 3 seasons with a total of 97 episodes.

With a rating of 6.1/10 from 8 viewers, The Detectives is considered decent by viewers and may be worth checking out.

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...

The Detectives stars Robert Taylor, Ursula Thiess, Mark Goddard, Tige Andrews, and Adam West.

The Detectives was created by Jules V. Levy.

The Detectives was released on October 16, 1959.

The Detectives is a Action & Adventure and Drama series.

The Detectives is described as an American crime drama series. Its premise follows Captain Matt Holbrook and his detective team; the provided information does not indicate it's based on real events.

Robert Taylor portrays Captain Matt Holbrook, the head of the detective division. He leads the team that includes Lt. Johnny Russo played by Tige Andrews and Sgt. Chris Ballard played by Mark Goddard.

The Detectives ran for 3 seasons with a total of 97 episodes. It aired on ABC for the first two seasons and then on NBC for the third season.

The show stars Robert Taylor as Captain Matt Holbrook and features Ursula Thiess as Lisa Bonay, Mark Goddard as Sgt. Chris Ballard, Tige Andrews as Lt. Johnny Russo, and Adam West as Sgt. Steve Nelson. These actors form the core cast across the series.