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The Defenders

  • TV Series
  • 1961–1965
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
577
YOUR RATING
Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall in The Defenders (1961)
Legal DramaCrimeDrama

A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.

  • Creator
    • Reginald Rose
  • Stars
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Robert Reed
    • Polly Rowles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    577
    YOUR RATING
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • Stars
      • E.G. Marshall
      • Robert Reed
      • Polly Rowles
    • 15User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 14 Primetime Emmys
      • 15 wins & 19 nominations total

    Episodes132

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    Photos240

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    Top Cast99+

    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Lawrence Preston
    • 1961–1965
    Robert Reed
    Robert Reed
    • Kenneth Preston
    • 1961–1965
    Polly Rowles
    Polly Rowles
    • Helen Donaldson
    • 1961–1962
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • District Attorney Daniel Jackson…
    • 1961–1965
    J.D. Cannon
    J.D. Cannon
    • District Attorney…
    • 1961–1965
    Lonny Chapman
    Lonny Chapman
    • District Attorney…
    • 1961–1965
    John Boruff
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1965
    Walter Klavun
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1964
    Frank Overton
    Frank Overton
    • D.A. Bill Bryan…
    • 1961–1965
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • District Attorney…
    • 1962–1965
    Judson Laire
    Judson Laire
    • Judge…
    • 1961–1965
    Robert Gerringer
    Robert Gerringer
    • The District Attorney…
    • 1961–1964
    Kermit Murdock
    Kermit Murdock
    • D.A. Frank Larkin…
    • 1961–1963
    Dolph Sweet
    Dolph Sweet
    • Detective Brinkman…
    • 1961–1964
    Lester Rawlins
    • Dr. Wuhl…
    • 1961–1965
    Marc Connelly
    Marc Connelly
    • Judge…
    • 1962–1964
    Robert Riesel
    Robert Riesel
    • Court Clerk…
    • 1963–1964
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Jim McCleery…
    • 1961–1965
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    7.9577
    1
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    7
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    10

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    The Defenders: Choice of Evils
    5.5
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    The Defenders: Payback
    5.8
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    Question 7
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    12
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    The Defenders
    7.4
    The Defenders

    Related interests

    Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Kevin Pollak in A Few Good Men (1992)
    Legal Drama
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      More than half of the actors who played jurors in 12 Angry Men (1957) have roles in the show. In addition to E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, and Robert Webber appeared in multiple episodes, often as District Attorneys or judges. Furthermore, Ossie Davis appeared in eight episodes as District Attorney Daniel Jackson. Davis played a juror in 12 Angry Men (1997). Series Creator Reginald Rose was nominated for an Oscar for writing 12 Angry Men (1957).
    • Connections
      Featured in Television: The Story Machine (1985)

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    FAQ1

    • This was one of the great TV series of its time, as I recall. Are any of the episodes available anywhere?

    Details

    • Release date
      • September 16, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Preston & Preston
    • Filming locations
      • Filmways Studios - 246 East 127th Street, East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Defender Productions
      • CBS Television Network
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White

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