Harry O (1974)
A wounded ex-cop turned beach-house detective navigates the shadows of Southern California in this grounded 1970s crime drama.
Harry O - Series Information
- Original Title: Harry O
- First Air Year: 1974
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Created by: Howard Rodman
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 44
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Harry-O (US)
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Harry O - Plot
After being shot in the line of duty, Harry Orwell was forced to retire from the San Diego Police Department. To supplement his police pension, Harry runs a private detective agency out of his beach house... The series starred David Janssen and was executive produced by Jerry Thorpe.
Harry O - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Howard Rodman
Main Cast
- David Janssen
- Anthony Zerbe
- Henry Darrow
- Paul Tulley
- Farrah Fawcett
- Tom Atkins
- Richard Stahl
- Bill Henderson
- Hal Williams
- Mel Stewart
Writers
- Michael Sloan
- Robert C. Dennis
- John Meredyth Lucas
- Herman Groves
- Norman Strum
Harry O - FAQs
What is Harry O about?
Harry O follows Harry Orwell, a former San Diego police detective forced into retirement after being shot in the line of duty. To supplement his pension, he operates a private detective agency from his beach house, taking on cases that blend gritty realism with character-driven storytelling across two seasons on ABC.
Who are the main actors in Harry O?
Harry O starred David Janssen in the lead role of Harry Orwell. The supporting cast included Anthony Zerbe, Henry Darrow, Paul Tulley, Farrah Fawcett, Tom Atkins, Richard Stahl, Bill Henderson, Hal Williams, and Mel Stewart across its two-season run on ABC.
Was David Janssen's Harry O critically well received?
Harry O earned considerable praise for David Janssen's understated, world-weary performance, which critics considered among the finest of his career. The show was lauded for its realistic tone and character depth, standing apart from flashier contemporaries. Janssen's portrayal gave the series a melancholy authenticity rarely seen in 1970s detective television.
How many seasons and episodes does Harry O have?
Harry O ran for two seasons on ABC, comprising 44 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 22 episodes and Season 2 also contained 22 episodes. The series also includes 2 special episodes. It aired from 1974 to 1976 before concluding.
Who created Harry O?
Harry O was created by Howard Rodman, who also contributed as a writer on the series. The show was executive produced by Jerry Thorpe and produced under Warner Bros. Television for the ABC network, premiering in 1974.
What genre is Harry O?
Harry O is a Drama and Action-Adventure series, more specifically a crime and detective drama. It belongs to the classic 1970s American private investigator genre, emphasizing character study and procedural storytelling over pure action, set against the backdrop of Southern California.
What are shows similar to Harry O?
Viewers who enjoyed Harry O may also appreciate Kojak (1973), Dragnet (1951), Life on Mars (2008), and Forever Knight (1992), all of which share a similar crime and detective drama sensibility. These series offer comparable blends of procedural investigation and strong central character performances.
Is Harry O based on a true story?
Harry O is not based on a true story. The character of Harry Orwell is a fictional creation by writer Howard Rodman. The series drew on the conventions of hard-boiled detective fiction and the broader tradition of American crime drama rather than any specific real-life individual or case.
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