The Manhunter (1974)
A Quinn Martin crime drama following a Depression-era private investigator across the American West, broadcast on CBS in 1974.
The Manhunter - Series Information
The Manhunter - Plot
The Manhunter is an American crime drama that was part of CBS' lineup for the 1974–1975 television season. The series was produced by Quinn Martin and starred Ken Howard as Dave Barret, a 1930s-era private investigator from Idaho. The series was executive produced by Quinn Martin.
Where to Watch The Manhunter
Looking for where to watch The Manhunter?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Manhunter - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ken Howard
- Mitchell Ryan
- Marj Dusay
- Diane Shalet
- James Keach
- Parley Baer
- George D. Wallace
- George DiCenzo
- Lynne Marta
- Neva Patterson
The Manhunter - FAQs
What is The Manhunter TV series about?
The Manhunter follows Dave Barret, a rugged private investigator operating in 1930s Depression-era Idaho. Produced by Quinn Martin for CBS, the show blends classic crime drama with period atmosphere, tracking Barret's cases across a single season of 23 episodes that aired during the 1974–1975 television season.
Is The Manhunter set during the Great Depression?
The series is set squarely in the 1930s, placing its stories against the backdrop of the Great Depression. That period setting gives the show a distinctive noir flavor, distinguishing it from contemporary crime dramas of the era and lending Dave Barret's investigations a gritty, hardscrabble authenticity.
Who plays the lead role in The Manhunter?
Ken Howard stars as Dave Barret, the Idaho-based private investigator at the heart of the series. Howard is supported by a rotating cast that includes Mitchell Ryan, Marj Dusay, Diane Shalet, James Keach, Parley Baer, George D. Wallace, George DiCenzo, Lynne Marta, and Neva Patterson.
Where can you watch The Manhunter online?
Streaming availability for The Manhunter varies by region. For the most current and complete list of platforms where you can watch or rent the series, check JustWatch, which tracks all available viewing options in your area and updates regularly as availability changes.
Who produced The Manhunter for CBS?
The Manhunter was produced and executive produced by Quinn Martin, one of television's most prolific drama producers of the era. Martin was also behind celebrated series such as The Untouchables and The Fugitive, and his signature style of polished, plot-driven crime storytelling is evident throughout The Manhunter.
How many episodes does The Manhunter have?
The Manhunter ran for a single season comprising 23 episodes, all broadcast on CBS during the 1974–1975 television season. The series was not renewed for a second season, making it a compact but complete snapshot of Quinn Martin's Depression-era crime drama vision.
What shows are similar to The Manhunter?
Fans of The Manhunter may enjoy Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958) for its lone-investigator premise, The Untouchables (1959) for its period crime atmosphere, and Goliath (2016) for its morally complex legal detective work. Murder in a Small Town (2024) also offers a period-flavored mystery worth exploring.
Was The Manhunter a bounty hunter or private detective show?
The series blends both archetypes. Dave Barret operates as a private investigator, but the show's keywords — bounty hunter and Great Depression — suggest his work often crossed into manhunting territory, tracking down fugitives and criminals across Depression-era Idaho in a style closer to a frontier bounty hunter than a city detective.
More About The Manhunter
Explore further details about The Manhunter on these authoritative resources.