Petrocelli (1974)
A Harvard-educated lawyer trades city life for the American Southwest, defending murder cases in this classic NBC legal drama.
Petrocelli - Series Information
- Original Title: Petrocelli
- First Air Year: 1974
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Created by: Sidney J. Furie
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 54 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 45
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Paramount Television, Miller-Milkis Productions
Petrocelli - Plot
Petrocelli is an American legal drama which ran for two seasons on NBC from September 11, 1974 to March 31, 1976. Tony Petrocelli is an Italian-American Harvard-educated lawyer who gave up the big money and frenetic pace of major-metropolitan life to practice in a sleepy city in the American Southwest. He and wife Maggie live in a trailer in the country while waiting for their new house to be built, and travel around in a beat-up old pickup truck. For a quiet rural area, Petrocelli seems to have no trouble running into his share of murderers to defend.
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Petrocelli - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sidney J. Furie
Main Cast
- Barry Newman
- Albert Salmi
- David Huddleston
- Susan Howard
- Don Starr
- Fred Stromsoe
- Lucille Benson
- Harold Gould
- Jonathan Goldsmith
- John Henry Cox
Writers
- Leonard Katzman
- William Kelley
- Robert C. Dennis
- John Hudock
- Daniel B. Ullman
Petrocelli - FAQs
Who plays Tony Petrocelli in the series?
Barry Newman plays Anthony J. Petrocelli, the Harvard-educated Italian-American lawyer at the heart of the series. Newman brings a grounded, charismatic energy to the role, portraying a man who deliberately chose a quieter life in the American Southwest over the prestige of big-city legal practice.
What is Petrocelli about?
Petrocelli follows Tony Petrocelli, a Harvard-educated Italian-American lawyer who trades metropolitan ambition for a simpler life in the American Southwest. Living in a trailer with his wife Maggie while their home is being built, he finds himself repeatedly drawn into defending clients accused of murder in the surrounding rural community.
How many seasons and episodes does Petrocelli have?
Petrocelli ran for two seasons on NBC, comprising 45 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 22 episodes and Season 2 followed with 23 episodes, with the series airing from September 11, 1974 through March 31, 1976.
Is Petrocelli based on a true story or a film?
Petrocelli is based on the 1970 film The Lawyer, which itself drew loose inspiration from the real-life Sam Sheppard murder case. Barry Newman reprised his role from that film for the television series, giving the character a cinematic foundation that set it apart from other legal dramas of the era.
What network aired Petrocelli and when?
Petrocelli aired on NBC, premiering on September 11, 1974 and concluding on March 31, 1976. It occupied a prime-time slot during the mid-1970s, a period when legal and crime dramas were a staple of American network television.
What are shows similar to Petrocelli worth watching?
Fans of Petrocelli may enjoy The Night Of, Harry's Law, and Law & Order: LA for their courtroom drama and morally complex cases. The Defenders and Prosecutor Princess also offer compelling legal storytelling. For a classic crime-drama feel with a strong central character, these series capture a similar spirit.
Who wrote episodes of Petrocelli?
The writing staff for Petrocelli included Leonard Katzman, William Kelley, Robert C. Dennis, John Hudock, Daniel B. Ullman, Mel Goldberg, Fred Freiberger, Oliver Crawford, and Edward J. Lakso. This experienced team of television writers helped shape the series' consistent tone across its two-season run.
Was Petrocelli well received by audiences and critics?
Petrocelli earned a loyal following during its NBC run, appreciated for Barry Newman's understated performance and its refreshingly unconventional setting. Unlike most legal dramas of the time, its Southwest backdrop and blue-collar sensibility gave it a distinctive identity that resonated with viewers looking for something beyond the typical courtroom formula.
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