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{{Short description|British action TV series (1972–1974)}}
{{for-multi|the Danish TV series|The Protectors (Danish TV series)|American TV series|The Protector (American TV series)|other uses|Protector (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = The Protectors titlescreen.jpg
| alt                  = Series title over an image of Robert Vaughn and the Houses of Parliament
| genre                = {{Flatlist|
* [[Action fiction|Action]]
* [[Adventure fiction|adventure]]
* [[Crime fiction|crime]]
* [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]]
}}
| starring             = {{Plain list|
* [[Robert Vaughn]]
* [[Nyree Dawn Porter]]
* [[Tony Anholt]]
* [[Anthony Chinn]]
* [[Yasuko Nagazumi]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{plainlist|
* [[Mitch Murray]]
* ''Lyrics:'' [[Peter Callander]]
}}
| opentheme            = "[[Avenues and Alleyways]]", instrumental version
| endtheme             = "Avenues and Alleyways",<br>sung by [[Tony Christie]]
| composer             = [[John Cameron (musician)|John Cameron]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = 2
| num_episodes         = 52
| producer             = {{plainlist|
* [[Gerry Anderson]]
* [[Reg Hill]]
}}
| editor               = {{Plain list|
* Mike Campbell
* [[David Lane (director)|David Lane]]
* Bert Rule
* John S. Smith
* Geoffrey Mackrill
}}
| cinematography       = {{plainlist|
* [[Brendan J. Stafford]]
* Frank Watts
}}
| runtime              = 25 minutes
| company              = [[AP Films#Group Three|Group Three Productions]] for [[Associated Television|ATV]]
| network              = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1972|9|29|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1974|3|15|df=y}}
}}

'''''The Protectors''''' is a British action [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] television series created by [[Gerry Anderson]]. It starred [[Robert Vaughn]] as Harry Rule, [[Nyree Dawn Porter]] as the Contessa Caroline di Contini, and [[Tony Anholt]] as Paul Buchet. It was Anderson's second television series to exclusively use live actors as opposed to marionettes following ''[[UFO (British TV series)|UFO]]'', and his second to be firmly set in contemporary times post ''[[The Secret Service]]''. It was also the only Gerry Anderson–produced television series that was not of the fantasy or [[science fiction]] genres. It was produced by [[Lew Grade]]'s [[ITC Entertainment]] production company. Despite not featuring marionettes or any real science fiction elements, ''The Protectors'' became one of Anderson's most popular productions, gaining a renewal for a second series. A third series was in the planning stages when the show's major sponsor, [[Brut (cologne)|Brut]], ended its funding which forced the series' cancellation.

''The Protectors'' was first broadcast in 1972 and 1973, and ran to 52 episodes over two series, each 25 minutes long—making it one of the last series of this type to be produced in a half-hour format. 

==Premise==
Three inexplicably affluent international [[private detective]]s/[[Troubleshooting|troubleshooter]]s are charged with ensuring the protection of innocents. They belong to an organisation called The Protectors, based in [[London]]. Harry Rule leads the group. The Contessa lives in Italy, when she is not working with Harry. She runs her own detective agency, which specialises in exposing art frauds and recovering stolen art. Paul Buchet works out of [[Paris]], and is the group's researcher and gadget specialist. Adventures range from simple kidnapping to convoluted cases of international intrigue. These characters are all very wealthy and drive exotic cars of the era, such as the [[Citroën SM]] and [[Jensen Interceptor]].

The show was [[parody|parodied]] in two episodes of the 1996 [[BBC Radio 4]] comedy series ''Fab TV'': "The Preventers" and "The Return of the Preventers".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016j54 | title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - Fab TV|website=Bbc.co.uk }}</ref>

==Production==
According to co-producer [[Gerry Anderson]], the show's format was outlined in a brief note that [[Lew Grade]] gave him, and he was then given a free hand to develop it, although Grade ultimately cast two of the main actors himself. The format of the series allowed for occasional episodes in which not all of the main actors appeared, including two in which Vaughn's character was absent.

Like ''[[The Persuaders!]]'', a similar series also produced by [[ITC Entertainment|ITC]] that aired around the same time, ''The Protectors'' was shot on location at numerous locations throughout Europe, such as [[Salzburg]], [[Rome]], [[Malta]] and [[Paris]]. In order to offset the cost of location filming, and also perhaps because the equipment was more portable, the series was shot on [[16 mm film|16mm]] film rather than the usual [[35 mm movie film|35mm]].

The episodes aimed at fast-paced action set against an international background, incorporating elements from both private-eye detective shows and espionage shows, but within a half-hour format. The lack of screen time, compared with the 50-minute timeslot used by shows like ''The Persuaders!'' or ''[[Department S (TV series)|Department S]]'', resulted in plots that were rather simplistic, with motivation and characterisation sacrificed for action, owing to the writers having to cram as much as possible into a 25-minute timeslot and still produce gripping television.<ref>For example, in the first broadcast episode, "2000 ft To Die", the recurring character of Chino suddenly appears for the first time at the climax without exaplanation or identification, even though he helps the core trio fight the villains and is clearly a major ally.</ref> Accordingly, the series suffered from most of the same drawbacks that beset ''[[The Adventurer (TV series)|The Adventurer]]'', another half-hour ITC show that aired at the same time.

The theme tune of the series, "[[Avenues and Alleyways]]" was performed by singer [[Tony Christie]].

This was the first Anderson series not to feature music composed by [[Barry Gray]].

Courtfield Mews, London SW5 was used as the filming location for ''The Protectors'' headquarters.<ref>[http://www.lurotbrand.co.uk/flipbook/mewsnews2010-spring/ Mews News]. ''Lurot Brand''. Published Spring 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2013.</ref>

In Germany the series was known as ''Kein Pardon für Schutzengel'' (meaning "No Mercy for Guardian Angels") and in France as ''[[:fr:Poigne de fer et séduction|Poigne de fer et séduction]]'' ("Iron Fist and Seduction"). This highlights another snag which bedevilled the show: its English title, ''The Protectors'', could imply that [[Robert Vaughn]] was playing a bodyguard, in a more serious version of the 1980s ITV show ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''.

In South Africa, the series was dubbed into Afrikaans as ''Die Beskermers'' (the literal translation of The Protectors) and was broadcast on the [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]].

As was the case for most of Anderson's series, in the United States the series was not broadcast on [[network television]], but aired instead in [[Broadcast syndication|first-run syndication]]. This made it more difficult for the show to make any impact in America, despite its popular American star, and this hurt its overseas sales.

===Actor relationships===
According to Robert Vaughn's autobiography, there were many problems between the actor and both the show's financier, Lew Grade, and its co-producer, Gerry Anderson. [[John Hough (director)|John Hough]] (who directed several episodes, and the opening title sequence of the series) had many more problems with Vaughn's business partner, [[Sherwood Price]], than with Vaughn himself.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sellers|first=Robert|title=Cult TV: The Golden Age Of ITC|year=2006|publisher=Plexus|isbn=0859653889}}</ref>

Vaughn said that he felt the series was "tasteless junk", and that he could not understand the scripts either before or during shooting.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} In a 1972 interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', he criticised the writing and casting, and said that ''The Protectors'' had failed to live up to his expectations, describing the production as "much below the American standard". He added that the series "may have the redeeming feature of any escapist entertainment, that you can sit down for 22 minutes and watch people in pretty clothes run around shooting guns and so get your mind off your personal problems. If that's redemptive, it has that quality."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/17/archives/that-man-from-uncle-gets-his-phd-robert-vaughn.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 September 1972|title=That Man From U.N.C.L.E. Gets His Ph.D.|first1=Ira|last1=Peck}}</ref>

Vaughn was given the opportunity to direct one episode himself—number 23 in production order, "It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island". On this production he met actress Linda Staab; they married three years later, and remained married until his death 42 years later in 2016. Although Vaughn had a better relationship with Grade, the mogul called "It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island" the worst episode he had ever seen of anything.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/e-xFc36U56Y Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210124052223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xFc36U56Y Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xFc36U56Y&t=309s| title = Gerry Anderson Primers - the complete series | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Episodes==

===Series 1 (1972–73)===
{{Episode table |background= |series= |title= |director=|directorR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide">{{cite book|last1=Bentley|first1=Chris|title=The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide|edition=4|year=2008|orig-year=2001|publisher=Reynolds and Hearn|location=[[Richmond, London|Richmond]], [[London]]|isbn=978-1-905287-74-1}}</ref> |writer=|writerR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide"/> |airdate= |prodcode=|prodcodeR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide"/>|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=2000 ft to Die
|DirectedBy=[[John Hough (director)|John Hough]]
|WrittenBy=[[Terence Feely]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|9|29|df=y}}
|ProdCode=1
|ShortSummary=Scientist Freddie Reiwald contacts the Protectors when his colleagues at the Cranston Research Centre die in suspicious circumstances. In Italy, Harry and Caroline discover that an unknown party has completed Reiwald's research into the production of synthetic [[gold]]—and now Reiwald's daughter's life is in danger.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Brother Hood
|DirectedBy=[[Don Chaffey]]
|WrittenBy=[[John Goldsmith (director)|John Goldsmith]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|10|6|df=y}}
|ProdCode=2
|ShortSummary= The Protectors are hired to break a billionaire's brother out of prison, similar to the [[List of helicopter prison escapes|Kaplan prison escape in Mexico in 1971]]. Guest-starring [[Patrick Troughton]], [[Vladek Sheybal]], [[Robert Brown (British actor)|Robert Brown]] and [[Leon Lissek]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=See No Evil
|DirectedBy=[[Jeremy Summers]]
|WrittenBy=[[Donald Johnson (screenwriter)|Donald Johnson]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|10|13|df=y}}
|ProdCode=10
|ShortSummary= The Protectors, attempting to guard an Italian senator in Rome, find a blackmailer who has got out of control. Guest-starring [[James Bolam]], [[Leonard Sachs]] and [[Tony Haygarth]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Disappearing Trick
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=[[Brian Clemens]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|10|20|df=y}}
|ProdCode=3
|ShortSummary= The Contessa risks her life when a deceptive new client uses her to escape the police. Guest-starring [[Derren Nesbitt]], [[David Bauer (actor)|David Bauer]], [[Don Henderson]] and [[David Calderisi]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Ceremony for the Dead
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=[[Donald James]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|10|27|df=y}}
|ProdCode=26
|ShortSummary= The Protectors are hired to stop the kidnapping of a president.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=It Was All Over in Leipzig
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|11|3|df=y}}
|ProdCode=25
|ShortSummary= Whilst investigating a plot to overthrow the government of a Mediterranean nation, the Protectors end up confronting two old friends of the Contessa, one of whom she was once romantically involved with. Guest-starring [[Ron Randell]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=The Quick Brown Fox
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|11|10|df=y}}
|ProdCode=5
|ShortSummary= The Protectors are hired to help find a missing band of Nazis. Guest-starring [[Morris Perry]] and [[Christopher Benjamin (actor)|Christopher Benjamin]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=King Con
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=[[Tony Barwick]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|11|17|df=y}}
|ProdCode=12
|ShortSummary= The Protectors find themselves in the middle of a war over some antiques. Guest-starring [[Anton Rodgers]], [[Ronald Lacey]] and [[Peter Cellier]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|Title=Thinkback
|DirectedBy=[[Cyril Frankel]]
|WrittenBy=Brian Clemens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|11|24|df=y}}
|ProdCode=14
|ShortSummary= Harry is the victim of a car crash. But was it an accident?
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|Title= A Kind of Wild Justice
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|12|1|df=y}}
|ProdCode=8
|ShortSummary= The daughter of a gangster returns after his death to kill Harry. Or does she?
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|Title=Balance of Terror
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=John Goldsmith
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|12|8|df=y}}
|ProdCode=11
|ShortSummary= A scientist disappears with a deadly biological weapon. The first the Protectors know of this is when the [[KGB]] breaks into Harry's flat to tell them. Guest-starring [[Nigel Green]], [[Laurence Naismith]] and [[Milos Kirek]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|Title=Triple Cross
|DirectedBy=John Hough
|WrittenBy=[[Lew Davidson]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|12|15|df=y}}
|ProdCode=7
|ShortSummary= A charming charlatan cons Caroline's friend. Guest-starring [[John Neville (actor)|John Neville]], [[Peter Bowles]], [[John Barrard]] and [[Del Henney]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|Title=The Numbers Game
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=[[Ralph Smart]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1972|12|29|df=y}}
|ProdCode=6
|ShortSummary=The Protectors investigate a runaway and discover she is involved with an international drug smuggling operation.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|Title=For the Rest of Your Natural…
|DirectedBy=John Hough
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|1|5|df=y}}
|ProdCode=18
|ShortSummary=Caroline is abducted by an old enemy who sends her for a bizarre trial.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|Title=The Bodyguards
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=[[Dennis Spooner]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|1|12|df=y}}
|ProdCode=19
|ShortSummary=The Protectors are assigned to guard the body of a deceased robber and follow his old associates to find stolen money.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|Title=A Matter of Life and Death
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|1|19|df=y}}
|ProdCode=22
|ShortSummary=Harry and the Contessa uncover an international smuggling operation run by Mallory. They find themselves in danger when he discovers who they are.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|Title=The Big Hit
|DirectedBy=[[Roy Ward Baker]]
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|1|26|df=y}}
|ProdCode=13
|ShortSummary= Members of the Protectors are being killed by someone who has targeted the organisation. Harry is abducted, and threatened with death if he does not reveal information.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=18
|Title=One and One Makes One
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=[[Jesse L. Lasky, Jr.|Jesse]] & [[Pat Silver-Lasky|Pat Lasky]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|2|2|df=y}}
|ProdCode=9
|ShortSummary= A spy goes missing with crucial information. The Protectors are tasked with finding him—but is he still alive? Guest-starring [[Michael Gough]], [[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]], [[Neil McCallum (actor)|Neil McCallum]] and [[Christopher Dunham]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=19
|Title=Talkdown
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Jesse & Pat Lasky
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|2|9|df=y}}
|ProdCode=20
|ShortSummary=Harry is abducted by a man who blames him for his brother's death. He parachutes out of a plane, leaving Harry stranded unless he can be talked down.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=20
|Title=Vocal
|DirectedBy=Cyril Frankel
|WrittenBy=Brian Clemens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|2|16|df=y}}
|ProdCode=24
|ShortSummary=After Paul is temporarily blinded, gangsters hire a man to impersonate Harry and get information about the Protectors from him.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=21
|Title=…With a Little Help from My Friends
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=[[Sylvia Anderson]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|2|23|df=y}}
|ProdCode=17
|ShortSummary=Harry is blackmailed into carrying out the assassination of a Middle Eastern leader he has been hired to protect. Guest-starring [[Jeremy Brett]], [[Hannah Gordon]], [[Martin Benson (actor)|Martin Benson]], [[Saeed Jaffrey]] and [[Roshan Seth]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=22
|Title=Chase
|DirectedBy=[[Harry Booth (filmmaker)|Harry Booth]]
|WrittenBy=Brian Clemens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|3|2|df=y}}
|ProdCode=16
|ShortSummary=Harry must protect a South American diplomat from rivals who are trying to kill him.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=23
|Title=Your Witness
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Donald James
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|3|9|df=y}}
|ProdCode=4
|ShortSummary=A club owner hires the Protectors to guard his niece, who is a witness in a murder trial.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=24
|Title=It Could Be Practically Anywhere on the Island
|DirectedBy=[[Robert Vaughn]]
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|3|16|df=y}}
|ProdCode=23
|ShortSummary=In Malta, Harry gets involved with an [[Arkansas]] millionairess, her pet dog, and a piece of microfilm. (Other than the ''[[Police Woman (TV series)|Police Woman]]'' episode "The Melting Point Of Ice", this is Robert Vaughn's only directorial credit; it is also the only episode of any Gerry Anderson series directed by a member of the cast.)
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=25
|Title=The First Circle
|DirectedBy=Don Chaffey
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|3|23|df=y}}
|ProdCode=15
|ShortSummary= [[Vietnam War]] veteran John Hunter ([[Ed Bishop]]), deranged by his experiences, goes berserk. The man's wife asks the Protectors to help before the authorities kill him.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=26
|Title=A Case for the Right
|DirectedBy=[[Michael Lindsay-Hogg]]
|WrittenBy=Jesse & Pat Lasky
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|3|30|df=y}}
|ProdCode=21
|ShortSummary=Harry and the Contessa are hired to deliver a package. When they discover they have been used as decoys, they investigate further and end up trying to stop a coup plot.
}}
}}

===Series 2 (1973–74)===
{{Episode table |background= |series= |title= |director=|directorR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide"/> |writer=|writerR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide"/> |airdate= |prodcode=|prodcodeR=<ref name="AuthEpGuide"/>|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Quin
|DirectedBy=[[Don Leaver]]
|WrittenBy=[[Trevor Preston]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|9|21|df=y}}
|ProdCode=4
|ShortSummary=The Protectors are hired by the sister of a man who disappeared after being hired as a mercenary. They discover he was murdered on the orders of Quin, the leader of the organisation that hired him.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Bagman
|DirectedBy=[[John Hough (director)|John Hough]]
|WrittenBy=[[Terry Nation]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|9|28|df=y}}
|ProdCode=1
|ShortSummary=A wealthy widow's daughter is kidnapped and Harry is required to drop off the ransom money.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=Fighting Fund
|DirectedBy=[[Jeremy Summers]]
|WrittenBy=[[John Kruse]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|10|5|df=y}}
|ProdCode=3
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must thwart a terrorist gang who plan to use a stolen art collection to buy arms for their cause.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=The Last Frontier
|DirectedBy=[[Charles Crichton]]
|WrittenBy=[[Jean Morris]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|10|12|df=y}}
|ProdCode=8
|ShortSummary= The Protectors are hired by a British politician to smuggle his sweetheart, a Russian nuclear scientist, into Britain so that they can marry.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Baubles, Bangles and Beads
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Terry Nation
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|10|19|df=y}}
|ProdCode=9
|ShortSummary= When a jewellery collection is stolen and a ransom demanded from the insurance company, they hire Harry and the Contessa to act as intermediaries with the robbers.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Petard
|DirectedBy=[[Cyril Frankel]]
|WrittenBy=[[Tony Barwick]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|10|26|df=y}}
|ProdCode=10
|ShortSummary= The head of a chemical company hires the Protectors to discover who stole company secrets and sold them to a rival.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=Goodbye George
|DirectedBy=[[Michael Lindsay-Hogg]]
|WrittenBy=[[Brian Clemens]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|11|2|df=y}}
|ProdCode=6
|ShortSummary=Caroline is hired by an American millionaire who thinks his son, an artist living in Venice, has fallen victim to a con-man. (This and "The Tiger And The Goat" are the only episodes in which [[Robert Vaughn]] does not appear.)
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=WAM (Part One)
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|11|9|df=y}}
|ProdCode=13
|ShortSummary=The daughter of a wealthy man is involved in a hostage situation at a ski resort, with skiers held for ransom. Guest starring [[Prentis Hancock]] and [[John Herrington (actor)|John Herrington]].
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|Title=WAM (Part Two)
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|11|16|df=y}}
|ProdCode=14
|ShortSummary=The ransom is paid and the hostages released, but the Protectors and the police must work out how the woman was involved.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|Title=Implicado
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|11|23|df=y}}
|ProdCode=7
|ShortSummary= A woman hires the Protectors when her son, who has become involved with a drug dealer in Spain, is framed and arrested by police.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|Title=Dragon Chase
|DirectedBy=Charles Crichton
|WrittenBy=John Kruse
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|11|30|df=y}}
|ProdCode=15
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must prevent a group of communist sympathisers from obtaining the manuscript of a book written by a Soviet defector.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|Title=Decoy
|DirectedBy=Michael Lindsay-Hogg
|WrittenBy=Brian Clemens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|12|7|df=y}}
|ProdCode=17
|ShortSummary=The Protectors investigate an insurance fraud involving an old friend of Harry's who, having previously staged his own death, is killed for real.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|Title=Border Line
|DirectedBy=Charles Crichton
|WrittenBy=[[Anthony Terpiloff]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|12|14|df=y}}
|ProdCode=12
|ShortSummary= An actress who is the daughter of a Hungarian exile hires the Protectors to help arrange a secret funeral for her father so that he can be buried on home soil. 
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|Title=Zeke's Blues
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=[[Shane Rimmer]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|12|21|df=y}}
|ProdCode=16
|ShortSummary=A jazz musician has become involved with gangsters and has to set up Harry to pay off a debt.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|Title=Lena
|DirectedBy=Don Leaver
|WrittenBy=Trevor Preston
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1973|12|28|df=y}}
|ProdCode=5
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must protect a journalist investigating a politician who is linked to a murder.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|Title=The Bridge
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|1|4|df=y}}
|ProdCode=2
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must foil a radical group's plot to assassinate a politician by blowing up a bridge as his car crosses it.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|Title=Sugar and Spice
|DirectedBy=Charles Crichton
|WrittenBy=[[David Butler (screenwriter)|David Butler]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|1|11|df=y}}
|ProdCode=20
|ShortSummary=A millionaire's young daughter is targeted by rivals who want to block a company take-over. He hires the Protectors to shelter her, which they must do so without raising her suspicions.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=18
|Title=Burning Bush
|DirectedBy=Don Leaver
|WrittenBy=Trevor Preston
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|1|18|df=y}}
|ProdCode=11
|ShortSummary=A wealthy man is concerned to discover his teenage daughter is involved with an obscure religious sect. Harry goes undercover to find out what goes on inside the community. (Note: Nyree Dawn Porter does not appear in this episode).
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=19
|Title=The Tiger and the Goat
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Trevor Preston
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|1|25|df=y}}
|ProdCode=23
|ShortSummary=British Intelligence use the Contessa as bait to capture an assassin who has targeted their agents, however there is a twist when the supposed assassin reveals himself.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=20
|Title=Route 27
|DirectedBy=Don Leaver
|WrittenBy=Terry Nation
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|2|1|df=y}}
|ProdCode=26
|ShortSummary=Harry investigates a drug-smuggling operation based in Denmark and becomes a target when the gang discover his involvement.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=21
|Title=Trial
|DirectedBy=Charles Crichton
|WrittenBy=[[Robert Banks Stewart]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|2|8|df=y}}
|ProdCode=25
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must prevent the murder of a judge who has been targeted by the father of the accused in a murder trial.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=22
|Title=Shadbolt
|DirectedBy=John Hough
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|2|15|df=y}}
|ProdCode=19
|ShortSummary=Harry comes face to face with Shadbolt, a professional assassin who has been hired to kill him.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=23
|Title=A Pocketful of Posies
|DirectedBy=Cyril Frankel
|WrittenBy=Terry Nation
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|2|22|df=y}}
|ProdCode=18
|ShortSummary=Famous singer Carrie Blaine ([[Eartha Kitt]]) fears she's losing her mind when peculiar things start happening around her, the Protectors must investigate.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=24
|Title=Wheels
|DirectedBy=[[David Tomblin]]
|WrittenBy=Tony Barwick
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|3|1|df=y}}
|ProdCode=22
|ShortSummary=The Protectors must retrieve information about Swiss bank accounts stolen by a notorious thief.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=25
|Title=The Insider
|DirectedBy=Don Leaver
|WrittenBy=Trevor Preston
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|3|8|df=y}}
|ProdCode=24
|ShortSummary=A film director hires the Protectors to investigate when copies of his latest film are stolen and a ransom is demanded.
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=26
|Title=Blockbuster
|DirectedBy=Jeremy Summers
|WrittenBy=Shane Rimmer
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1974|3|15|df=y}}
|ProdCode=21
|ShortSummary=The Protectors are hired to investigate an international series of platinum robberies carried out by a gang.
}}
}}

==Home media==
ITV Studios Home Entertainment released the entire series on DVD in Region 2 in 2002/2003.

Network released a seven-disc Region 2 DVD set in 2010, comprising both series.

In Region 1, [[A&E Television Networks|A&E Home Entertainment]], under licence from [[ITV Studios Global Entertainment|Carlton International Media Limited]], released the entire 52 episodes on Region 1 DVD for the first time ever, in two complete season sets, in 2003/2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002F6B38|title=The Protectors - Season One|access-date=12 April 2023|via=Amazon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Protectors-Season-Robert-Vaughn/dp/B0007TKNOW/|title=The Protectors - Season Two|access-date=12 April 2023|via=Amazon}}</ref>

On 10 September 2014, it was announced that [[Visual Entertainment|VEI Entertainment]] had acquired the rights to the series in Region 1, and would re-release all 52 episodes on DVD on 4 November 2014.

==Music==
In 2009, Network released a five-disc set of music recorded for the series, featuring Tony Christie's "[[Avenues and Alleyways]]", library music and scores for 13 episodes composed by [[John Cameron (musician)|John Cameron]], and [[Eartha Kitt]]'s rendition of "[[My Man's Gone Now]]" for the episode "A Pocketful of Posies".

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0068122}}

{{Gerry Anderson}}
{{ITC Distributions Chronology}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Protectors, The}}
[[Category:1970s British drama television series]]
[[Category:1972 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1974 British television series endings]]
[[Category:British action television series]]
[[Category:British detective television series]]
[[Category:British spy television series]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fictional private investigators]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:ITV television dramas]]
[[Category:Television series by ITC Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
[[Category:Television shows shot at EMI-Elstree Studios]]
[[Category:Works by Gerry Anderson]]