Spenser: For Hire (1985)
The classic ABC crime drama that brought Robert B. Parker's hard-boiled Boston detective to life across three compelling seasons.
Spenser: For Hire - Series Information
- Original Title: Spenser: For Hire
- First Air Year: 1985
- Last Air Year: 1988
- Created by: Robert B. Parker, John Wilder
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Mystery
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (48 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 65
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ABC
- Production Countries: United States of America
Spenser: For Hire - Plot
Mystery and suspense series based on Robert Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser, a private investigator living in Boston, gets involved in a new murder mystery each episode.
Spenser: For Hire - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of Boston's most tenacious private eye in action.
A lot of people think I like to get even. They're dead right.
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Spenser: For Hire - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Robert B. Parker
- John Wilder
Main Cast
- Robert Urich
- Avery Brooks
- Ron McLarty
- Richard Jaeckel
- Barbara Stock
- Carolyn McCormick
- David O'Brien
- William H. Macy
- Neill Barry
- Trey Wilson
Writers
- Howard Gordon
- Alex Gansa
- Juanita Bartlett
- Norma Safford Vela
Spenser: For Hire - FAQs
Who plays Spenser in Spenser: For Hire?
Robert Urich plays the title character Spenser, a tough but principled Boston private investigator. Avery Brooks co-stars as Hawk, Spenser's enigmatic and formidable ally, in one of the most memorable partnerships in 1980s television crime drama.
Is Spenser: For Hire based on a true story?
No, Spenser: For Hire is not based on a true story. The series is adapted from Robert B. Parker's popular Spenser detective novels, a long-running fictional book series set in Boston. Parker himself was one of the show's creators and consultants.
Where can you watch Spenser: For Hire?
Spenser: For Hire is available to stream for free with ads on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV, and for free via Hoopla. It can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home.
What role did Avery Brooks play in the series?
Avery Brooks portrayed Hawk, Spenser's street-smart and fiercely loyal enforcer. The character became a cultural standout — cool, dangerous, and deeply charismatic. Brooks' performance was so well-received that Hawk later received his own spin-off series, A Man Called Hawk, in 1989.
How many seasons does Spenser: For Hire have?
Spenser: For Hire ran for three seasons on ABC, plus a collection of special episodes. The series produced 65 episodes in total across Season 1 (22 episodes), Season 2 (22 episodes), and Season 3 (21 episodes), airing from 1985 to 1988.
What is Spenser: For Hire about?
Spenser: For Hire follows Spenser, a Boston-based private investigator with a sharp wit and a strong moral code, as he tackles a new murder mystery each episode. Adapted from Robert B. Parker's acclaimed novels, the series blends hard-boiled detective work with Boston atmosphere and compelling character dynamics.
Did Spenser: For Hire lead to any spin-offs?
Yes. The breakout popularity of Avery Brooks as Hawk led directly to A Man Called Hawk, a spin-off series that premiered on ABC in 1989. Additionally, the Spenser character was later revived in a series of TV movies, continuing the franchise beyond the original run.
What genre is Spenser: For Hire?
Spenser: For Hire is a crime drama blending mystery and detective fiction. Set in Boston, it draws from the hard-boiled private investigator tradition, combining procedural murder mysteries with character-driven storytelling rooted in Robert B. Parker's literary style.
More About Spenser: For Hire
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative reference sites.