The Sentinel (1996)
A detective with extraordinary senses and his anthropologist partner take on crime in this action-driven UPN series from the late 1990s.
The Sentinel - Series Information
- Original Title: The Sentinel
- First Air Year: 1996
- Last Air Year: 1999
- Created by: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 65
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: UPN
- Alternative Titles: 哨兵 (TW)
- Production Companies: Pet Fly Productions, Paramount Television
The Sentinel - Plot
The Sentinel is a Canadian-produced television series. In the jungles of peru, the fight for survival heightened his senses. Now, Detective Jim Ellison is a sentinel in the fight for justice. Anthropologist Blair Sandburg works side by side with Jim, helping him develop these senses.
The Sentinel - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the action unfold in this classic crime series:
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The Sentinel - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Danny Bilson
- Paul De Meo
Main Cast
- Richard Burgi
- Garett Maggart
- Bruce A. Young
- Ken Earl
- Ryf Van Rij
- Lesley Ewen
- Kelly Curtis
- Anna Galvin
- Henri Brown
- Kendall Cross
Writers
- Danny Bilson
- Paul De Meo
- Laurence Frank
- Harold Apter
- Gail Morgan Hickman
Executive Producers
- Paul De Meo
- Danny Bilson
The Sentinel - FAQs
What is The Sentinel TV series about?
The Sentinel follows Detective Jim Ellison of the Cascade Police Department, whose senses were extraordinarily heightened after surviving alone in the Peruvian jungle. Guided by anthropologist Blair Sandburg, he uses these superhuman abilities to fight crime, blending police procedural action with a unique mythology rooted in ancient warrior lore.
Is The Sentinel based on a true story or source material?
The Sentinel is not based on a true story. Creators Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo drew inspiration from anthropologist Richard Burton's 1898 work on 'sentinels' — tribal watchmen with heightened senses. The show blends this anthropological concept with the conventions of a modern American police procedural drama.
Where can you watch The Sentinel online?
The Sentinel is available to stream on select platforms in the United States. You can check current streaming availability, rental, and purchase options across all major services by visiting JustWatch, which tracks up-to-date regional availability for the complete series.
Who are the main actors in The Sentinel?
The Sentinel stars Richard Burgi as Detective Jim Ellison and Garett Maggart as anthropologist Blair Sandburg. The supporting cast includes Bruce A. Young as Captain Simon Banks, Ken Earl as Joel Taggert, Kelly Curtis as Carolyn Plummer, and Anna Galvin as Megan Connor, among others.
Why was The Sentinel cancelled after Season 4?
The Sentinel was cancelled by UPN after its fourth season in 1999, largely due to declining ratings and the network's shifting programming priorities. Season 4 was notably shortened to just 8 episodes. The finale left many storylines unresolved, which frustrated the show's dedicated fanbase and sparked significant online fan activism.
How many seasons and episodes does The Sentinel have?
The Sentinel ran for 4 seasons and 65 episodes in total. Season 1 had 10 episodes, Season 2 had 24 episodes, Season 3 had 23 episodes, and Season 4 had 8 episodes. The series aired on UPN from 1996 to 1999.
Who created The Sentinel TV series?
The Sentinel was created by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, who also served as executive producers on the series. The show was produced by Pet Fly Productions in association with Paramount Television and aired on the UPN network from 1996 to 1999.
What are shows similar to The Sentinel?
Viewers who enjoyed The Sentinel may also like Nash Bridges, The District, Cold Squad, Wycliffe, and Midsomer Murders — all crime dramas with strong procedural elements. For a similar blend of heightened-ability heroes and detective work, Sherlock and New Amsterdam also offer compelling viewing experiences.
More About The Sentinel
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