Detectives, The

1 9 5 9 – 1 9 6 2 (USA)
67 x 30 minute episodes
30 x 60 minute episodes

This crime drama series presented the cases of an elite team of NYPD plainclothes detectives led by hard-nosed and humourless Captain Matt Holbrook (Robert Taylor).

The lead role was rotated between Holbrook’s three main detectives; homebody Lieutenant Johnny Russo (Tige Andrews), Lieutenant Jim Conway (Lee Farr) and Lieutenant Otto Lindstrom (Russell Thorson).

Holbrook was a widower who had little time for romance, although there was a brief affair with a police reporter called Lisa Bonay – played by Taylor’s real-life wife Ursula Thiess.

The Detectives switched from ABC to NBC in September 1962, with the episodes increasing in duration from 30 to 60 minutes and the title extended to The Detectives, Starring Robert Taylor.

In the final season, the team were joined by Sgt Steve Nelson, played by an actor who would go on to make his own mark in television history as Batman (Adam West).

The series aired in the UK as Captain of Detectives.

Captain Matt Holbrook 
Robert Taylor
Lt Johnny Russo 
Tige Andrews
Lt James Conway 
Lee Farr
Lt Otto Lindstrom 
Russell Thorson
Sgt Chris Ballard 
Mark Goddard
Lisa Bonay 
Ursula Thiess
Sgt Steve Nelson 
Adam West