The F.B.I. (1965)
A landmark ABC crime drama following federal agents through nine seasons of investigations, espionage, and justice from 1965 to 1974.
The F.B.I. - Series Information
- Original Title: The F.B.I.
- First Air Year: 1965
- Last Air Year: 1974
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 241
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 19, 1965 (United States - TV-14), September 19, 1965 (United Kingdom - 15), September 19, 1965 (Germany - 16), September 19, 1965 (France - 16), September 19, 1965 (Australia - MA15+)
- Networks: ABC
The F.B.I. - Plot
The F.B.I. is an American television series that was broadcast on ABC from 1965 to 1974. It was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, and the characters almost always drove Ford vehicles in the series. Alcoa was co-sponsor of Season One only.
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The F.B.I. - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- William Reynolds
- Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
- Philip Abbott
- Marvin Miller
- Shelly Novack
- Stephen Brooks
- Lynn Loring
- Anthony Eisley
- Dean Harens
- James B. Sikking
Writers
- Charles Larson
- Don Brinkley
- Robert Leslie Bellem
- Norman Lessing
- Jack Turley
The F.B.I. - FAQs
Where can you stream The F.B.I. online?
The F.B.I. is available to stream on Tubi TV with ads at no cost. Tubi offers a wide selection of classic television, making it one of the most accessible free streaming destinations for vintage series like this long-running ABC crime drama.
Who played the lead role in The F.B.I.?
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. played Inspector Lewis Erskine, the central character of the series. His composed, authoritative portrayal became the defining face of the show throughout its entire nine-season run on ABC from 1965 to 1974.
Is The F.B.I. based on real FBI cases?
The series was produced with the cooperation of the real Federal Bureau of Investigation and J. Edgar Hoover, lending it an air of authenticity. While individual episodes were fictionalized, the show drew on genuine FBI procedures and was endorsed by the Bureau throughout its run.
How many seasons and episodes does The F.B.I. have?
The F.B.I. ran for 9 seasons and a total of 241 episodes. Season 1 was the longest with 32 episodes, while the final Season 9 wrapped up with 23 episodes. The series aired on ABC from September 1965 through April 1974.
What is The F.B.I. TV series about?
The F.B.I. follows federal agent Lewis Erskine and his colleagues as they investigate crimes ranging from espionage and kidnapping to organized crime and domestic threats. Praised for its procedural realism and patriotic tone, the series offered a dramatized look at federal law enforcement during the Cold War era.
When did The F.B.I. first air on television?
The F.B.I. premiered on September 19, 1965, on ABC in the United States. The same date marked its debut in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Australia, reflecting the show's broad international distribution.
What is the content rating for The F.B.I.?
The F.B.I. carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating material that may be unsuitable for children under 14. In other territories, it received equivalent ratings such as a 15 certificate in the UK and a 16 classification in Germany and France.
What shows are similar to The F.B.I.?
Viewers who enjoy The F.B.I. may also appreciate NYPD Blue, Battle Creek, CSI: Cyber, and The Sentinel — all procedural dramas centered on law enforcement. The modern FBI (2018) series is a particularly close thematic successor, updating the federal agent format for contemporary audiences.
More About The F.B.I.
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