“Seeing a murder on television can help work off one’s antagonisms. And if you haven’t any antagonisms, the commercials will give you some.”
— Alfred Hitchcock
If you’re not too clear on the concept of who is or isn’t a private eye,
check out What the hell is a private eye, anyway?
SEE ALSO:
TV EYES: THE MADE-FOR-THE-TUBE MOVIES & PILOTS
TV SERIES in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
- 21 Beacon Street (1959, NBC)
- 357 Marina Del Rey (Danger Theatre) (1993, FOX/1993)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958-64, ABC)
A
- A. Dunster Lowell (1960, syndicated)
- The ABC Mystery Movie (1989-90, ABC; aka “The ABC Monday Mystery Movie,” “The ABC Saturday Mystery Movie”)
- Ace Crawford, Private Eye (1983, CBS)
- Ace Ventura: The Animated Series (1996-97, CBS)
- The Adventures of Martin Kane (1957-58, , syndicated)
- The Adventures of The Falcon (1955, syndicated; aka “The Falcon”)
- The Affairs of Charlie Wild (1950-52, CBS/ABC/DuMont)
- Affairs of the Heart (1998-in production)
- Against The Law (1990-91, Fox)
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962-65, NBC)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-62, CBS/NBC)
- Allmen (2017-19, Universum Film [Germany])
- The Amazing Mr. Malone (1951-52, ABC)
- Andy Barker P.I. (2007, NBC)
- Angel (1999-2004, WB)
- Anna Lee (1993-1994, ITV)
- The Aquanauts (1960-61, CBS)
- Archer (1975, NBC)
- Archer (2009-2016, FX)
- Archer (2017, FXX)
- Armchair Detective (1949, CBS)
- Asian Connection (1993-95, Barron Entertainment)
B
- B.J. Fletcher (2008-12, Internet)
- B.L. Stryker (1989-90, ABC)
- Banacek (1972-74, NBC)
- Banyon (1972-1973, NBC)
- Barnaby Jones (1973-1980, CBS)
- Barney Blake, Police Reporter
- Baywatch Nights (1995-97, syndicated)
- Bearcats! (1971, CBS)
- Bella Block (1995-2005, ZDF)
- Better Call Saul (2015-20, AMC)
- Beverly Hills Buntz (1987-88, NBC)
- Big Shamus, Little Shamus (1979, CBS)
- Big Sky (2020, ABC)
- Black Tie Affair (1993, NBC)
- Blacke’s Magic (1986, NBC)
- Blaues Blut (1990, Germany)
- Blood Rights (1990, BBC2)
- Booker (1989-90, Fox)
- Boon (1986-95, ITV)
- Bored to Death (2009-11, HBO)
- Boston Blackie (1951-53, U.S. Syndicated)
- Bourbon Street Beat (1959-60, ABC)
- Brimstone (1998, Fox)
- The Broker’s Man (1997-98, BBC)
- The Brothers Brannagan (1960, U.S. Syndicated)
- Buddy Faro (1998, CBS)
- Bugs (1995, BBC)
- Bulman (1985-87, ITV)
- Burn Notice (2007-13, USA Network)
- Butch Patterson, Private Dick (1999-2001, The Comedy Network)
C
- C.A.T.S. Eyes (1985-87, ITV)
- C.B. Strike (2017-18, BBC One/Cinemax)
- Cannon (1971-1976, CBS)
- The Case of the Dangerous Robin (1961, U.S. Syndicated)
- Case Histories (2011-13, BBC)
- The Cases of Eddie Drake (1952, U.S. Syndicated)
- Casey, Crime Photographer (1951-52, CBS; aka “Crime Photographer”)
- Cassie and Co. (1982, NBC)
- The Catch (2016, ABC)
- Chandler and Co. (1996, BBC)
- Charlie (1984, ITV/Central Television)
- Charlie Grace (1995, ABC)
- Charlie Wild, Private Detective (1950-52, CBS/ABC/DuMont)
- Charlie’s Angels (1976-1981, ABC)
- Charlie’s Angels (2011, ABC)
- The Cheaters (1960-62, ITV)
- Checkmate (1960-62, CBS)
- China Smith (1952, syndicated)
- City of Angels (1976, NBC)
- Claxon (1990, Portugal)
- Climax! (1954-58, CBS)
- Cool and Lam (1958, CBS)
- Cool Million (1972, NBC)
- Coronado 9(1960, Revue Studios [syndicated])
- The Corridor People (1966, ITV)
- The Cosby Mysteries (1994, CBS)
- Cowboy Bebop (1998, Bandai Visual/Sunrise)
- Cowboy BeBop (2021, Netflix)
- Craig Kennedy, Criminologist (1953, syndicated)
- Crazy Like a Fox (1984-86, CBS)
- Crime Photographer (1951-1952, CBS; aka “Casey, Crime Photographer”)
D
- The D.A’s Man (1959, NBC)
- The Danger Team (1991, ABC)
- Danger Theatre 1993, Fox)
- Dangerous Assignment (1950’s)
- Dante (1960-61, NBC )
- Dante’s Inferno (1952-56, CBS)
- Daring And Grace: Teen Detectives (2002, CBC)
- Darker Than Black (2007-09, Japan)
- The Dead Boy Detectives (2023, HBO)
- Dellaventura (1997, CBS)
- Detective in the House (1985, CBS)
- The Detective Is Already Dead (2021, AT-X)
- Detective’s Diary (1957-60, NBC; syndicated version of “Saber of London”)
- Detective’s Wife (1950, CBS)
- Détectives (2013-14, France 2)
- The Devlin Connection (1982, NBC)
- Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001, CBS)
- The Diamond Brothers (1991, ITV)
- Diamonds (1987-89, Global; aka “Two of Diamonds”)
- Dick and the Duchess (1959-60, ITV)
- Dick Barton-Special Agent (1979, ITV)
- The Dick Powell Show (1961-63, NBC; “The Dick Powell Theatre,” “The Dick Powell Reynolds Aluminum Show”)
- Dick Spanner P.I. (1986, Channel Four)
- Dicktown (2020, FXX)
- Die Kinder (1990, BBC/PBS)
- Dirk Gently (2010-14, BBC4; aka “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”)
- Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016, BBC America)
- Dirty Work (2000, BBC1)
- Dog City (1992-93, Fox, cartoon)
- Dossie Detektiva Dubrovskogo (1999, Russia)
- The Dresden Files (2007, Sci-Fi Channel)
- Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1994-97, USA Network)
- The Duke (1979, NBC)
E
- The Eddie Capra Musteries (1978-79, NBC)
- Encyclopedia Brown–The Boy Detective (1989, HBO)
- The Equalizer (1985-89, CBS)
- The Equalizer (2021-, CBS)
- Eye to Eye (1985, ABC)
- Eyes (2005, ABC)
F
- The Falcon (1955, syndicated; aka “Adventures of The Falcon”)
- Fallen Angels (1993-95, Showtime)
- Faraday and Company (1973-74, NBC)
- The Files of Jeffrey Jones (1952, U.S. syndicated)
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984-85, ABC)
- Florida Man (2023, Netflix)
- Fortune Hunter (1994., Fox)
- Four Just Men/SYN/1959-60, syndicated)
- Francis Storm Investigates (1960, ITV)
- The Frankie Drake Mysteries (2017-21, CBC)
- Francesca Quinn, P.I. (2022, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
G
- Gabriel’s Fire (1990-91, ABC)
- Gavilan (1982, NBC)
- The George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957, NBC)
- The Good Wife (2009-16, CBS)
- Grand Slam (1990, CBS; aka “Dead Trouble”)
- Griff (1973-74, ABC)
H
- Hack (2002, CBS)
- Hagen (1973-1974, ABC)
- Half Nelson (1985, NBC)
- Hancock Half Hour (1956-61, BBC; one episode only)
- Hap and Leonard (2016-18, SundanceTV)
- Hard Knocks (1987, Showtime)
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983-1986)
- Harry O (1974-76, CBS)
- Hart To Hart
- Haunted (2002, UPN)
- Have Gun-Will Travel (1957-63, CBS)
- Hawaiian Eye (1959-1963, ABC)
- Hazell (1978-80, ITV)
- Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996-1999, BBC1)
- Hidden Agenda (2020, C More; aka “Top Dog”)
- High Desert (2023, Apple+)
- High Performance (1983)
- High Tide (1994, syndicated)
- Hollywood Detective (1991, A&E)
- Hollywood Offbeat (1952-53, DuMont)
- Homicide: A Life on the Street (1991-99, NBC)
- Honey West (1965-66, ABC)
- Hong Kong (1960-61, ABC)
- Hot Shots (1986, CTV)
- Hotel Cosmopolitan (1957-58, CBS)
- The Human Target (1992, ABC)
- Human Target (2010, Fox-TV)
- The Huntress (2000-01, USA Network)
I
- I Had Three Wives (1985, CBS)
- Inch High, Private Eye (1973-74, NBC)
- The Inch Man (1951-52, BBC)
- The Indian Detective (2017, CTV)
- International Detective (1959-61, ITV)
- Intrigue (1966, ABP)
- The Investigator (1958, NBC)
- The Investigators (1961, CBS)
- It Happens In Spain (1958, syndicated)
J
- J.J. Starbuck (1987-1988, NBC)
- Jack Irish (2012, Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
- Jack Palmer (French TV)
- Jack Taylor (2010-11, TV3, Ireland)
- Jake and the Fatman (1987-??, CBS)
- Jango (1961, ITV)
- Jesse Hawkes (1989, CBS)
- Jessica Jones (2015, Netflix)
- Jigsaw (1972-73, ABC)
- Jinnah On Crime (2002-03, CBC)
- Joe Dancer (1981-83, NBC)
- Johnny Midnight (1959-60, U.S. Syndicated)
- Johnny Staccato (1959-60, NBC/ABC)
- Johnny Zero (2005, Fox)
K
- Kaz (1978)
- Khan (1975, CBS)
- Kidnapped (2006, NBC)
- King & Maxwell (2013, TNT)
- King of Diamonds (1961, U.S. Syndicated)
- Kokonut, Private Eye (1962, U.S.)
- Kolchak: The Nightstalker (1974-75, ABC; aka “The Nightstalker”)
- Kraft Mystery Theatre (1958-63, NBC)
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963-65, NBC)
L
- Land’s End (1995-96, U.S. Syndicated)
- Las Vegas (2003-08, NBC)
- Las Vegas Beat?
- Las venturas de Pepe Carvalho (1984-85, Spain/France)
- Les aventures tumultueuses de Jack Carter (2003, Radio-Canada)
- The Law and Harry McGraw (1987-88, CBS)
- Lawless (1996, Fox)
- Leg Work (1987, CBS)
- Legmen (1984, NBC)
- Leverage (2008-12, TNT)
- Lie to Me (2009-11, FX)
- Lime Street (1985, ABC)
- The Lone Wolf (1954, U.S. Syndicated)
- The Long Goodbye (2014, NHK)
- Longstreet (1971-1972, ABC)
- Luke Cage (2016-18, Netflix)
M
- Magnum P.I. (1980-88, CBS)
- Malibu Run (1960-61, CBS)
- Man Against Crime (1949-54, CBS/Dumont)
- Man Against Crime (1956, NBC)
- The Manhunter (1974-75, CBS)
- A Man Called Hawk (1989, ABC)
- The Man from Blackhawk (1959-60, ABC)\
- Man in a Suitcase (1967-68, ITV)
- Man With a Camera (1958-60, ABC)
- Mannix (1967-75, CBS)
- Mark Saber (1951-54, ABC; aka “Mark Saber Mystery Theater,” “Mystery Theater,” “Ispector Mark Saber-Homicide Squad,” “Homicide Squad”)
- Mark Saber (1955-57, ABC; aka “The Vise”)
- Markham (1959-60, CBS)
- Marlowe-Private Eye (1986, Canada)
- A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery (2020-21, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
- Martin Kane, Detective (1953-54, NBC; aka “Private Eye”)
- Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949-53, NBC; aka “Private Eye”)
- The Mask (1954, ABC)
- Matt Helm (1975-76, ABC)
- Matt Houston (1982-85, ABC)
- McCoy (1975-76, NBC)
- Me and Mom (1984-85, ABC)
- Meet McGraw (1957-58, NBC)
- Miami Undercover (1961, syndicated)
- The Michael Richards Show (2000, NBC)
- Michael Shayne (1960-61, NBC)
- Mike Hama, Private Detective (2002, Yomiuri Television)
- Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer (1957-60, U.S. Syndicated)
- Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer (1984-85, CBS)
- Mike Hammer-Private Eye (1997, syndicated series)
- Miss Adventure (1964, ITV)
- Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-14, ABC [Australia])
- Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (Untitled Chinese Project) (2020, Shanghai 99 Visual Company)
- Miss Scarlet & The Duke (2020, Alibi)
- Mom P.I. (1990-92, CBC)
- Monk (2002-07, USA Network)
- Monsieur Spade (2024, AMC+/Canal+)
- Moon Over Miami (1993, ABC)
- Moonlight (2007-08)
- Moonlighting (1985-89, ABC)
- The Most Deadly Game (1970-71, ABC)
- Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1996, CBS)
- Mr. Lucky (1959-60, CBS)
- Mr. Mercedes (2017, AT&T)
- Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries (2019, Seven [Australia])
- Murder 101 (2006, HallMark)
- Murphy’s Law (1988-89, ABC)
- My Friend Tony (1969, NBC)
- My Life is Murder (2019-21, CJC)
- My Partner the Ghost (1969-70, ITC)
N
- The NBC Mystery Movie (1971-77, NBC)
- The NBC Friday Night Mystery (1993-95, NBC)
- Nero Wolfe (1969, RAI)
- Nero Wolfe (1981, NBC)
- Nero Wolfe (2001-02, A&E)
- Nero Wolfe (2012, RAI)
- Nestor Burma (1991-2001, France)
- The New Adventures of China Smith (1954-56, syndicated)
- The New Adventures of Martin Kane (1957-58, ITV/syndicated)
- The New Adventures of Perry Mason (1973-1974, CBS)
- The New Mike Hammer (1986-1987, CBS)
- Nice Guy Eddie (2002, BBC-1)
- The Nightstalker (1974-75, ABC; aka “Kolchak: The Nightstalker”)
- Nick Knatterton (1978-80)
- The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (2008-09, HBO/BBC)
O
- The Odd Man (1962-63, ITV)
- Ohara (1987-88, ABC)
- Once A Hero (1987, ABC)
- The Outsider (1968-69, NBC)
- The Outsider (2020, HBO)
- The Owl (CBS, 1991)
P
- P.I. (2003, F/X)
- The P.I. Experiment (2015, Sugar Skill Films)
- PI: Private Investigator (2014, Freemantle Media/India)
- Palace Guard (1991, CBS)
- Partners in Crime (1984, NBC)
- Partners in Crime (1984-87, PBS)
- Paul Temple (1968, BBC)
- Paul Temple (1969-71, BBC1)
- Pepe Carvalho (1998-99, Spain/Italy/France)
- Perry Mason (1957-1966, CBS)
- Perry Mason (1973-1974, CBS)
- Perry Mason (2020-23, HBO)
- Peter Gunn (1958-61, NBC/ABC)
- Peter Hunter, Private Eye (1948, syndicated)
- Philip Marlowe (1959-60, ABC)
- Philip Marlowe, Private Eye (1984, London Weekend Television)
- Philip Marlowe: Private Eye (1986, Canada)
- Poker Face (2023, Peacock)
- Pola ya ne umer (2001, Russian)
- Pony Express (1959-60, syndicated)
- Private Eye (1949-53, NBC; aka “Martin Kane, Private Eye”)
- Private Eye (1987-88, NBC)
- Private Eyes (2016-18, Global TV)
- Private Investigator (1958-59, BBC)
- Le privé (1984-85, Spain/France)
- Pros and Cons (1991-92, ABC; see also Gabriel’s Fire)
- The Protectors (1972-74, ITV)
- Pursuit (1958-59, CBS)
- Psych (2006-12, USA Network)
- Public Eye (1965-68, ITV)
- Public Eye (1969-75, ITV)
Q
- Quarry (2016, Cinemax)
R
- The Racing Game (1979-80, ITV)
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969-70, ITC)
- Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000, BBC1)
- Raven (1992-93, CBS)
- Ray Alexander (1994-95, NBC)
- Ray Donovan (2013, Showtime)
- Remington Steele (1982-87, NBC)
- Renegade (1992-97, USA Network)
- Republic of Doyle (2010-14, CBC)
- The Return of the Saint (1978-79, ITC)
- Reversible Errors (2004, CBS)
- Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957-59, CBS)
- Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1959-60, NBC)
- Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (1978, NBC)
- Riptide (1984-86, NBC)
- The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971-73, ITV)
- The Rockford Files (1974-80, NBC)
- The Rockford Files (1994-99, CBS)
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1978-92, ITV)
- The Runaways (1979, NBC)
S
- Saber of London (1957-60, NBC; syndicated in the U.S. as “Detective’s Diary”)
- Sable (1987-88, ABC)
- The Saint (1962-69, ITV)
- The Saint (1989, Celtic Films/LWT)
- Satyajit Ray Presents 1 (1985-86)
- Satyajit Ray Presents 2 (1986-87)
- San Berdoo (1980, ABC)
- Search (1972-73, NBC)
- Serangoon Road (2013, Australia ABC/HBO Asia)
- Shadow Squad (1957-1959, ITV)
- Shaft (1973-1974, CBS)
- Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018-19, BBC ONE)
- Shannon (1961, U.S. syndicated)
- Shannon’s Deal (1990-91, NBC)
- Sharman (1996, ITV)
- Shoestring (1979-1980, BBC1)
- Shotgun Slade (1959-1961, U.S. Syndicated)
- The Silent Whisper (1988, CBS)
- Simon and Simon (1981-1988, CBS)
- Singapore Sling (1993-95, Barron Entertainment)
- Sins of the City (1998, USA Network)
- The Singing Detective (1986, BBC1)
- Small and Frye (1983, CBS)
- Snoken (1993-1997, SVT 1-Sweden)
- Snooper and Blabber (1959-62, syndicated)
- Snoops (1999, ABC)
- Sonny Spoon (1988, NBC)
- Sons of Thunder (1999, CBS)
- South of Sunset (1993, CBS)
- South of the Border (1988-90, BBC1)
- Spenser: For Hire (1985-1988, ABC)
- The Spoils Before Dying (2015, IFC)
- Staccato (1959-60, NBC/ABC; aka “Johnny Staccato”)
- Starsky and Hutch (1975-79, ABC)*
- Steve Randall (1952-53; Dumont)
- Stingray (1986-87, NBC)
- Strike (2017-18, BBC One/Cinemax; aka “Cormoran Strike”)
- The Strip (1999-2000, UPN)
- Stumptown (2019-20, ABC)
- Surfside Six (1960-1962, ABC)
- Suspicion (1957-58, NBC)
- Sweating Bullets (1991-1992,syndicated; aka “Tropical Heat”)
- Swedish Dicks ((2016-18, Viaplay/Pop/Lionsgate)
- Switch (1975-1978, CBS)
- Sydney (1990, CBS)
T
- T & T (1988-90, syndicated)
- T.H.E. Cat (1966-67, NBC)
- Take a Pair of Private Eyes (1966, BBC2)
- Take Two (2018, ABC)
- Taking the Falls (1995-96, CTV)
- Tales Of Wells Fargo (1957-62, NBC)
- TECX (1990, ITV)
- TekWar (1993-96, CTV/syndicated)
- Tenafly (1973-74, NBC)
- Tenspeed and Brownshoe (1980, ABC)
- Terriers (2010, FX)
- The Thin Man (1957-59, NBC)
- 357 Marina Del Rey (Danger Theatre) (1993, FOX/1993)
- Tom Stone (2002, CBC)
- Top Dog (2020, C More; aka “Hidden Agenda”)
- Total Security (1997, ABC)
- The Tracer (1956-57, syndicated)
- Tropical Heat (1991-93, syndicated; aka “Sweating Bullets”)
- Troppo (2022, ABC)
- True Detectives (1990-91, CBS)
- Tucker’s Witch (1982-83, CBS)
- The Turnaround (1995, ITV)
- 21 Beacon Street (1959, NBC)
- Two of Diamonds (1987-89, Global; aka “Diamonds)
U
- Uncovered (1955-57, ABC; aka “The Vise”)
- An Unsuitable Job For a Woman (1997-99, ITV/PBS)
V
- Varg Veum (2007-12, [Norway])
- Vega$ (1978-81, ABC)
- Vegas Dick (2003, UPN)
- Vengeance Unlimited (1998, ABC)
- Veronica Clare (1991, Lifetime)
- Veronica Mars (2004-05, UPN)
- Veronica Mars (2019, Hulu)
- V.I.P. (1998-2000, syndicated)
- Vincent (2005-06, Granada)
- The View From Daniel Pike (1971-73, BBC)
- The Vise (1955-57, ABC; aka “Mark Saber”)
W
- The Webster Report (2004, CBS)
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958-60, CBS)
- Whispering Smith (1961, NBC)
- Whitstable Pearl (2021, Acorn TV/Buccaneer Media)
- Wild Card (2003-05, Lifetime)
- Wilsberg (1998-2019, ZDF)
- Wolf (1989-90, CBS)
X,Y,Z
- Zero One (1962-65, BBC)
- Zoe Busiek: Wild Card (2003-05, Lifetime)
- Zu viele köche (1961, NWRV-Hamburg)
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS