Serialized manhunt as national event — the ancestor of 'appointment finales.'
Why it matters
Episode guide
120 episodes across 4 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
Dr. Richard Kimble runs from a wrongful murder conviction while hunting the one-armed man who destroyed his life. Weekly towns become temporary sanctuaries and traps. The manhunt is the series; the finale was a national event.
Network & studio
- ABC — broadcast network
Why watch now
Serialized pursuit as pure appointment drama — ancestor of every “will he clear his name?” long game.
Cultural impact
The Fugitive’s finale stopped America and taught networks what a true event ending could do. Serialized thriller DNA for generations of manhunt TV.
Creators
Roy Huggins
Key cast
- David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble
- Barry Morse as Lt. Philip Gerard
- Bill Raisch as The One-Armed Man
Flash facts
- ABC drama created by Roy Huggins and produced by Quinn Martin; aired September 17, 1963–August 29, 1967 (4 seasons, 120 episodes).
- David Janssen stars as Dr. Richard Kimble, wrongly convicted and hunting the one-armed man while pursued by Lt. Gerard.
- Won the Emmy for Outstanding Dramatic Series in 1966; first three seasons black-and-white, fourth in color.
FAQ
Who played Dr. Richard Kimble?
David Janssen starred in all 120 episodes as the fugitive physician.
Who created The Fugitive?
Roy Huggins created the series; Quinn Martin’s company produced it.
What is the central premise?
A wrongly convicted doctor escapes custody and searches for the real killer while avoiding capture.
Cultural eras
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
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