The Third Man (1959)
A classic British drama series following the roguish Harry Lime through Cold War Europe's shadows, intrigue, and moral grey zones.
The Third Man - Series Information
- Original Title: The Third Man
- First Air Year: 1959
- Last Air Year: 1965
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 77
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
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The Third Man - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jonathan Harris
- Michael Rennie
- Rupert Davies
- Yvonne Romain
- Oscar Beregi Jr.
- Barbara Shelley
- Moira Redmond
- Roger Delgado
- Mai Zetterling
- Harold Kasket
Writers
- David Swift
- AJ Carothers
- Hagar Wilde
- Jack Laird
The Third Man - FAQs
What is The Third Man TV series about?
The Third Man follows Harry Lime, a charming and morally ambiguous American adventurer navigating the shadowy world of post-war Europe. Played by Michael Rennie, Lime operates in a landscape of espionage, intrigue, and Cold War tension across 77 episodes spanning three seasons on BBC One.
Is The Third Man TV series based on a true story?
The series is not based on a true story, but it draws from Graham Greene's celebrated 1949 novella and the iconic 1949 film of the same name. The character of Harry Lime was originally portrayed by Orson Welles in the film, with Michael Rennie taking over the role for the television adaptation.
Who plays Harry Lime in The Third Man series?
Michael Rennie portrays Harry Lime in the television series. Rennie brought a suave, cosmopolitan energy to the role, distinguishing his interpretation from Orson Welles' legendary film performance while maintaining the character's roguish charm and moral flexibility across all three seasons.
How many seasons and episodes does The Third Man have?
The Third Man ran for three seasons and a total of 77 episodes. Season 1 was the longest with 39 episodes, followed by Season 2 with 22 episodes, and Season 3 with 16 episodes. The series aired from 1959 to 1965 on BBC One.
Who are the main actors in The Third Man?
The series features Michael Rennie in the lead role as Harry Lime, alongside Jonathan Harris, Rupert Davies, Yvonne Romain, Oscar Beregi Jr., Barbara Shelley, Moira Redmond, Roger Delgado, Mai Zetterling, and Harold Kasket in supporting and guest roles throughout the run.
What network aired The Third Man series?
The Third Man aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom. The series ran from 1959 to 1965, making it one of the longer-running British drama productions of its era, with 77 episodes spread across three seasons.
Is The Third Man connected to the 1949 Orson Welles film?
Yes, the TV series is a direct spin-off of the acclaimed 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed, which starred Orson Welles as Harry Lime. The television adaptation continues the adventures of the same character, with Michael Rennie stepping into the role Welles made iconic.
Who wrote episodes of The Third Man series?
Episodes of The Third Man were written by a team of writers including David Swift, AJ Carothers, Hagar Wilde, and Jack Laird. Their scripts maintained the series' signature blend of Cold War atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and globe-trotting adventure throughout its three-season run.
More About The Third Man
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