The Invisible Man (2000)
A clever sci-fi spy series about a thief turned reluctant government agent whose implanted invisibility gland comes with a dangerous, sanity-threatening catch.
The Invisible Man - Series Information
- Original Title: The Invisible Man
- First Air Year: 2000
- Last Air Year: 2002
- Created by: Matt Greenberg
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 44 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 46
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 9, 2000 (United States - TV-PG), June 9, 2000 (Canada - PG), June 9, 2000 (Brazil - 12), June 9, 2000 (Mexico - A)
- Networks: Syfy
- Alternative Titles: I-Man (US), Invisible Man - L'uomo invisibile (La Serie) (IT)
- Production Companies: Stu Segall Productions, Sci-Fi Channel, USA Network
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Invisible Man - Plot
The Invisible Man is a Sci-Fi American television series starring Vincent Ventresca, Paul Ben-Victor, Eddie Jones, Shannon Kenny and Michael McCafferty. Somewhat more successful than previous television series involving invisible secret agents, it aired from June 9, 2000 to February 1, 2002, lasting two seasons. The plot revolves around Darien Fawkes, a thief facing life imprisonment who was recruited by a low-rent spy organization and given the power of invisibility via implantation of a special "Quicksilver gland" in his head. The gland allows Fawkes to secrete a light-bending substance called "Quicksilver" from his pores and follicles. The substance quickly coats his skin, hair, nails and clothes and renders him invisible. He can consciously release the Quicksilver, which then flakes off and disintegrates. However, the Quicksilver gland was sabotaged at its creation by scientist Arnaud DeFehrn to release a neurotoxin that accumulates in the bloodstream and causes intense pain, followed by antisocial behavior and psychosis. The host requires regular doses of "counteragent" to keep him sane and healthy, which is controlled by said government agency. This series lasted for two seasons, before being cancelled due to cost issues and internal bickering between the Sci Fi Channel and its then-parent company, USA Networks. The show's first season ran concurrently in first-run syndication as well as on Sci Fi.
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The Invisible Man - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Matt Greenberg
Main Cast
- Vincent Ventresca
- Paul Ben-Victor
- Eddie Jones
- Shannon Kenny
- Michael McCafferty
- Brandy Ledford
- Spencer Garrett
- Jeremy Roberts
- Idalis DeLeon
- Armin Shimerman
Writers
- Craig Silverstein
- Jonathan Glassner
- Gabrielle Stanton
- Steven D. Binder
- Peter Hume
The Invisible Man - FAQs
Is The Invisible Man based on a book or novel?
The series draws loose inspiration from H.G. Wells' classic 1897 science fiction novel of the same name, but reimagines the concept entirely. Rather than a scientist driven mad by his own experiment, the show follows a reluctant government agent whose invisibility comes with a dangerous neurological side effect requiring constant management.
What is The Invisible Man TV series about?
The show centers on Darien Fawkes, a thief who escapes a life sentence by agreeing to have a Quicksilver gland implanted in his brain. The gland lets him turn invisible, but it also releases a neurotoxin that builds up over time, forcing him to stay loyal to a shady spy agency that controls his only antidote.
Why was The Invisible Man cancelled after two seasons?
The series was cancelled in 2002 primarily due to escalating production costs and persistent internal disputes between the Sci Fi Channel and its then-parent company, USA Networks. Despite a dedicated fanbase and solid ratings for its time slot, the behind-the-scenes friction ultimately made continuing the show financially and logistically untenable.
Where can you stream The Invisible Man series?
The Invisible Man is currently available to watch for free with ads on The Roku Channel. Availability may vary by region, so it's worth checking your local streaming services for the most up-to-date options.
Who plays Darien Fawkes in The Invisible Man?
Vincent Ventresca plays Darien Fawkes, the reluctant invisible man at the heart of the series. His performance balances wry humor with genuine vulnerability, making Fawkes one of the more memorable sci-fi protagonists of early 2000s television. Paul Ben-Victor co-stars as his wary but loyal partner, Bobby Hobbes.
How many episodes does The Invisible Man have in total?
The series ran for 46 episodes across two seasons. Season 1 comprised 24 episodes and Season 2 wrapped up with 22 episodes before the show was cancelled in February 2002. Each episode runs approximately 44 minutes, giving the full series a solid runtime for fans looking to binge the complete run.
How was The Invisible Man received by critics and audiences?
The show earned a warm reception from genre fans who appreciated its blend of spy-thriller tension, offbeat humor, and genuine character chemistry. Critics noted it as a step above typical network sci-fi of its era, praising Ventresca's charismatic lead performance and the clever premise that gave the classic invisibility concept a fresh, serialized twist.
What shows are similar to The Invisible Man?
If you enjoyed The Invisible Man, you might also like The Pretender, which shares the same blend of government intrigue and a reluctant special agent. Get Smart and Lois & Clark offer lighter spy-adjacent fun, while Jake 2.0 and La Femme Nikita scratch a similar itch for early 2000s sci-fi action with strong central characters.
More About The Invisible Man
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