Planet of the Apes (1974)
The classic CBS sci-fi adventure series that brought the iconic ape-dominated future Earth to weekly television for the first time.
Planet of the Apes - Series Information
- Original Title: Planet of the Apes
- First Air Year: 1974
- Last Air Year: 1974
- Created by: Anthony Wilson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (55 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 14
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 13, 1974 (United Kingdom - PG), September 13, 1974 (France - NR), September 13, 1974 (Brazil - L)
- Networks: CBS
- Alternative Titles: El planeta de los Simios (ES), La Planète des Singes (FR), Planet of the Apes (US)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Planet of the Apes - Plot
Two astronauts and a sympathetic chimp friend are fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes. Based on the 1968 Planet of the Apes film and its sequels, which were inspired by the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle.
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Planet of the Apes - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Anthony Wilson
Main Cast
- Roddy McDowall
- Ron Harper
- James Naughton
- Mark Lenard
- Booth Colman
- Ron Stein
- Jacqueline Scott
- John Hoyt
- John Milford
- Martin E. Brooks
Writers
- Edward J. Lakso
- Art Wallace
- Shimon Wincelberg
- Anthony Lawrence
- Robert Hamner
Planet of the Apes - FAQs
Is the 1974 Planet of the Apes TV series based on a true story?
Not a true story, but it's rooted in a celebrated literary source. The series draws from Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel La Planète des Singes and the iconic 1968 film franchise it inspired, transplanting the ape-dominated future Earth concept into a weekly adventure format with new characters and storylines.
Who plays Galen the chimpanzee in Planet of the Apes?
Roddy McDowall brings Galen to life — the sympathetic chimpanzee who befriends the two human astronauts and becomes their guide and protector. McDowall was already deeply familiar with the franchise, having played the beloved Cornelius in the original film series, making his casting a natural and inspired choice.
Where can you watch Planet of the Apes (1974)?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Planet of the Apes (1974) on JustWatch, which tracks current availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your location, so checking JustWatch is the most reliable way to find where it's currently accessible.
Why was Planet of the Apes cancelled after one season?
CBS pulled the plug after just 14 episodes due to disappointing ratings. The network had high hopes for the series given the film franchise's popularity, but audiences didn't tune in consistently enough. Four unaired episodes were later edited together into TV movies to give the storylines some closure.
What is the plot of the 1974 Planet of the Apes TV series?
Astronauts Alan Virdon and Pete Burke crash-land on a far-future Earth where apes rule and humans are subjugated. Aided by the open-minded chimpanzee Galen, they become fugitives hunted by the militaristic gorilla general Urko, traveling from settlement to settlement while searching for a way back to their own time.
How was Planet of the Apes (1974) received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers acknowledged the show's ambition and Roddy McDowall's committed performance, but many felt the episodic format diluted the philosophical weight of the original films. The series is now regarded as a nostalgic curiosity — a product of its era that captures the 1970s adventure TV aesthetic faithfully.
What are some shows similar to Planet of the Apes (1974)?
Fans of this series often enjoy Space: 1999 (1975) and Doctor Who (1963) for their classic sci-fi adventure tone. Land of the Giants (1968) and Terra Nova (2011) share the survival-in-a-strange-world premise, while Falling Skies (2011) echoes the post-apocalyptic resistance theme that runs throughout the series.
Is the 1974 series connected to the Planet of the Apes films?
It shares the same fictional universe and premise as the original film franchise but tells a largely independent story. Rather than continuing any specific film's plot directly, the series introduces new protagonists — astronauts Virdon and Burke — while retaining the iconic ape society, the oppressed humans, and the post-apocalyptic Earth setting.
More About Planet of the Apes
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