Helped pioneer the 90-minute TV drama format inside the western genre.
Why it matters
Episode guide
249 episodes across 9 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
A laconic foreman known only as the Virginian keeps order on a Wyoming ranch through loyalty, gun smoke, and moral tests. Expanded runtime meant movie-scale guest stories. Western TV goes widescreen in spirit.
Network & studio
- NBC — broadcast network
Why watch now
Watch for the cultural DNA of the 1960s — and the star power that made living rooms feel like red carpets.
Cultural impact
Helped pioneer the 90-minute TV drama format inside the western genre.
Creators
Frank Price · Charles Marquis Warren
Key cast
- James Drury as The Virginian
- Doug McClure as Trampas
- Lee J. Cobb as Judge Henry Garth
Flash facts
- NBC Western aired 1962–1971; first seasons ran 90 minutes.
- James Drury starred as the unnamed Virginian; Doug McClure as Trampas.
- Among the first successful 90-minute weekly scripted dramas on U.S. network TV.
FAQ
What network aired The Virginian?
The Virginian is associated with NBC (1962–1971).
Why is The Virginian in the TV Flash top 100 for the 1960s?
Helped pioneer the 90-minute TV drama format inside the western genre.
Who are the key names behind The Virginian?
Creators and principals include Frank Price, Charles Marquis Warren.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
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