The Virginian (1962)
NBC's groundbreaking 90-minute Western drama set at Wyoming's Shiloh Ranch, following ranch hands and owners across nine seasons of frontier life.
The Virginian - Series Information
- Original Title: The Virginian
- First Air Year: 1962
- Last Air Year: 1971
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (83 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 249
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: September 19, 1962 (United States - TV-G), September 19, 1962 (United Kingdom - PG), September 19, 1962 (Germany - 12), September 19, 1962 (France - 12), September 19, 1962 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: The Men from Shiloh (US)
- Production Companies: Universal Television, Revue Studios, NBC
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Virginian - Plot
The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth, the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie. It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.
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The Virginian - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Doug McClure
- James Drury
- Lee J. Cobb
- Clu Gulager
- Sara Lane
- Randy Boone
- Gary Clarke
- Charles Bickford
- Don Quine
- John McIntire
Writers
- Carey Wilber
- Howard Browne
- Frank Fenton
- David Friedkin
- Dean Riesner
The Virginian - FAQs
Where can you stream The Virginian today?
The Virginian is available to stream on Philo, a budget-friendly live TV and on-demand streaming service. Additional availability may vary by region. You can compare all current viewing options for your location via JustWatch, which tracks streaming, rental, and purchase availability in real time.
Is The Virginian based on a true story?
The Virginian is not based on a true story, but it draws from Owen Wister's influential 1902 novel of the same name, widely regarded as the first great American Western novel. The TV series expanded far beyond the book, developing original storylines and characters across its nine-season run.
Who are the main actors in The Virginian?
The principal cast includes James Drury as the unnamed Virginian, Doug McClure as Trampas, Lee J. Cobb as Judge Henry Garth, Clu Gulager as Emmett Ryker, John McIntire as Clay Grainger, Charles Bickford as John Grainger, Sara Lane as Elizabeth Grainger, and Randy Boone as Randy Benton.
How many seasons and episodes does The Virginian have?
The Virginian ran for 9 seasons and 249 episodes on NBC from 1962 to 1971. Each season contained between 24 and 30 episodes. The series concluded its run in 1971 when it was retitled The Men from Shiloh for its final ninth season.
Why was The Virginian renamed The Men from Shiloh?
In its ninth and final season (1970–1971), the series was retitled The Men from Shiloh as part of a creative overhaul. Stewart Granger joined the cast as Colonel Alan MacKenzie, the new owner of Shiloh Ranch, and the show adopted a slightly more modern, ensemble-driven tone before its cancellation.
When did The Virginian first air on NBC?
The Virginian premiered on NBC on September 19, 1962. It was one of the first 90-minute weekly drama series in American television history, a format that distinguished it from the half-hour and one-hour Westerns that dominated the era.
What is The Virginian TV series about?
Set at the Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory during the 1890s, The Virginian follows the ranch's owners and hands through changing ownerships and generations. Unlike typical shoot-em-up Westerns, the series prioritized character depth and human relationships, making it a standout of the genre during its nine-year run.
What is the content rating for The Virginian?
The Virginian carries a TV-PG content rating in the United States, indicating that some material may not be suitable for younger children without parental guidance. The series features Western action, frontier conflict, and mature dramatic themes consistent with the genre conventions of 1960s television.
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