The Professionals (1977)
Britain's most dangerous crimes demand its most dangerous men — meet Bodie, Doyle, and the relentless world of CI5.
The Professionals - Series Information
- Original Title: The Professionals
- First Air Year: 1977
- Last Air Year: 1983
- Created by: Brian Clemens
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 55 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 57
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 30, 1977 (United States - TV-MA), December 30, 1977 (Canada - 18+), December 30, 1977 (United Kingdom - 15), December 30, 1977 (Australia - M), December 30, 1977 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: ITV1
- Alternative Titles: The Professionals CI5 (UK)
- Production Companies: LWT
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Professionals - Plot
The lives of Bodie and Doyle, top agents for Britain's CI5 (Criminal Intelligence 5), and their controller, George Cowley. The mandate of CI5 was to fight terrorism and similar high-profile crimes. Cowley, a hard ex-MI5 operative, hand-picked each of his men. Bodie is a cynical ex-SAS paratrooper and mercenary whose nature ran to controlled violence, while his partner, Doyle, comes to CI5 from the regular police force, and is more of an open minded liberal. Their relationship is often contentious, but they are the top men in their field, and the ones to whom Cowley always assigned to the toughest cases.
The Professionals - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the action-packed world of CI5 come to life:
ANARCHY, ACTS OF TERROR, CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC. TO COMBAT IT WE'VE GOT SPECIAL MEN...
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The Professionals - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Brian Clemens
Main Cast
- Lewis Collins
- Martin Shaw
- Gordon Jackson
- Bridget Brice
- Steve Alder
- Pamela Stephenson
- Allan Surtees
- Trevor Adams
- Diana Weston
- Nadim Sawalha
Writers
- Brian Clemens
- Ranald Graham
- Gerry O'Hara
- Anthony Read
- Roger Marshall
Executive Producers
- Brian Clemens
- Albert Fennell
The Professionals - FAQs
Where can you stream The Professionals online?
The Professionals is available to stream for free on several ad-supported platforms in the US, including Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Xumo Play, and The Roku Channel. It is also available free on Plex and the Plex Channel, making it widely accessible without a paid subscription.
Who played Bodie and Doyle in The Professionals?
Lewis Collins portrayed William Andrew Philip Bodie, the hard-edged ex-SAS mercenary, while Martin Shaw played Raymond Doyle, the more liberal former police officer. Their on-screen chemistry and contrasting personalities became the defining dynamic of the series throughout its five-season run.
Is The Professionals based on a true story?
The Professionals is a fictional drama, though it drew inspiration from real British security and intelligence operations of the 1970s. Creator Brian Clemens conceived CI5 as a composite of real agencies. The procedural tone and topical storylines involving terrorism gave the show a grounded, realistic feel.
How many seasons and episodes does The Professionals have?
The Professionals ran for five seasons and a total of 57 episodes on ITV1. Season 1 contained 13 episodes, Season 2 had 10, Season 3 had 8, Season 4 had 15, and Season 5 concluded the series with 11 episodes, airing from 1977 to 1983.
Why did Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw leave The Professionals?
Martin Shaw grew frustrated with the show's portrayal of violence and its impact on his public image, and he negotiated a clause preventing reruns during his career. Lewis Collins remained committed but the series ended in 1983 after five seasons. Both actors moved on to other projects following the finale.
What is The Professionals TV series about?
The Professionals follows Bodie and Doyle, two elite agents working for CI5, Britain's fictional Criminal Intelligence 5 unit. Under the command of the steely George Cowley, they tackle terrorism, organized crime, and national security threats. The show blends action-driven plots with the contrasting personalities of its two leads.
Did The Professionals win any awards?
The Professionals was not a major awards circuit fixture, but it earned strong viewership and lasting cult status in the UK. Lewis Collins received particular praise for his physical performance as Bodie. The series is widely recognized as one of the defining British action dramas of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
What are shows similar to The Professionals?
Fans of The Professionals often enjoy similar partnership-driven action dramas such as Strike Back, The Avengers, Due South, and Broadchurch. For classic British procedural thrills, The Avengers (1961) is a natural companion, while Strike Back (2010) offers a modern take on elite British operatives in high-stakes missions.
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