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The Pretender

  • TV Series
  • 1996–2000
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,209
161
Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
Pretender, The (German Trailer)
Play trailer0:45
1 Video
99+ Photos
Suspense MysteryWorkplace DramaActionDramaMysterySci-FiThriller

A specially gifted man, with the ability to instantly master any skill, escapes from a secret testing facility and travels the country taking on different jobs and helping strangers while hi... Read allA specially gifted man, with the ability to instantly master any skill, escapes from a secret testing facility and travels the country taking on different jobs and helping strangers while hiding from his kidnappers.A specially gifted man, with the ability to instantly master any skill, escapes from a secret testing facility and travels the country taking on different jobs and helping strangers while hiding from his kidnappers.

  • Creators
    • Steven Long Mitchell
    • Craig W. Van Sickle
  • Stars
    • Michael T. Weiss
    • Andrea Parker
    • Patrick Bauchau
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,209
    161
    • Creators
      • Steven Long Mitchell
      • Craig W. Van Sickle
    • Stars
      • Michael T. Weiss
      • Andrea Parker
      • Patrick Bauchau
    • 88User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 5 wins & 18 nominations total

    Episodes86

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos1

    Pretender, The (German Trailer)
    Trailer 0:45
    Pretender, The (German Trailer)

    Photos3141

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Michael T. Weiss
    Michael T. Weiss
    • Jarod
    • 1996–2000
    Andrea Parker
    Andrea Parker
    • Miss Parker…
    • 1996–2000
    Patrick Bauchau
    Patrick Bauchau
    • Sydney…
    • 1996–2000
    Jon Gries
    Jon Gries
    • Broots
    • 1996–2000
    Ryan Merriman
    Ryan Merriman
    • Young Jarod…
    • 1996–2000
    Richard Marcus
    Richard Marcus
    • Mr. Raines
    • 1996–2000
    Alex Wexo
    Alex Wexo
    • Young Sydney…
    • 1996–2000
    James Denton
    James Denton
    • Mr. Lyle
    • 1997–2000
    Sam Ayers
    • Sam the Sweeper
    • 1996–2000
    Harve Presnell
    Harve Presnell
    • Mr. Parker
    • 1997–2000
    Paul Dillon
    Paul Dillon
    • Angelo
    • 1997–2000
    Willie Gault
    Willie Gault
    • Willie the Sweeper
    • 1997–2000
    Dennis Cruzado
    • Little Jarod
    • 1996–2000
    Pamela Gidley
    Pamela Gidley
    • Brigitte
    • 1997–2000
    Ashley Peldon
    Ashley Peldon
    • Young Miss Parker
    • 1996–1999
    Kim Myers
    Kim Myers
    • Jarod's Mother
    • 1996–1999
    Jonathan Osser
    Jonathan Osser
    • Younger Jarod
    • 1996–1999
    Jason Brooks
    Jason Brooks
    • Thomas Gates
    • 1999–2000
    • Creators
      • Steven Long Mitchell
      • Craig W. Van Sickle
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews88

    7.517.6K
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    Featured reviews

    TruPretender

    Great series!

    The talented Michael T. Weiss is Jarod, a man who can become anyone he

    wants to be, in order to save lives, or prevent disaster. In the first season, he escapes from the Centre and three workers, Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots

    are after him all through the series and he keeps going. The series was meant for adults and thus was a success for people over the age of eighteen. Great

    action sequences and Michael T. Weiss was very very good as the title

    character, coming a long way from "Days of Our Lives" while Andrea Parker was hot and sizzled as Miss Parker, a dark but light hearted female lead. But my

    favorite was Patrick Bauchau as Sydney, whom would always be in contact with

    Jarod and not let the Centre know about it! Too bad there was never a fifth

    season as I would have like to see more!
    Op_Prime

    Keeps you glued to the tube

    The Pretender is brilliance, sheer brilliance. Without a doubt one of my favorite shows, The Pretender had a great premise and excellent actors / characters to match. The series is filled with all kinds of questions regarding Jarod's past or whatever else there might be. But each time one question is answered, more are always brought up. That's the really cool thing about this show, it always keeps you guessing.

    Taking all this into account, it makes me wonder why NBC canceled it. Ratings weren't to bad, considering the time slot it was in. Oh well, at least TNT picked up the reruns and produced a follow up television movie.
    ddenault

    Extremely Enjoyable

    I did not catch this series when it first aired. My brother constantly spoke its praises, but I believed it would be the usual boring weekly drama.

    I was wrong.

    On my brother's recommendation, I taped every episode of the show when it ran in syndication on various channels. I have been slowly watching them during the Year 2002 (and now 2003), and after the first 40 or so episodes, I am here to tell you that this show is nothing short of amazing. The characters are interesting, the premise is, if not unique, at least enjoyable, and the subplots make you yearn for more. Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. It's difficult to believe that this show debuted in 1996. Not only has it stood the test of time, but it is better than most of the fare that has been aired in 2000 and beyond.

    I am looking forward to the next 40 episodes and the TV Movies, which I hope will be equally engaging. I recommend that, if you haven't watched this program, start from the beginning and give it 6 episodes or so. You'll be hooked.
    secrets_and_lies3

    The Best Television Show Ever!

    The Pretender displayed a great many rare qualities which made it GOOD! they are

    A) The Pretender was one of the few mystery shows on television B)Unlike the majority of Drama shows, the characters of the Pretender rarely changed their opinions or personalities. C)despite the fact that "the Centre" is the constant evil force in the show, one can never really tell whether the characters (with the exception of jarod) are good guys or bad guys. D)the music is unusual and brilliant

    Angelo is the greatest character!!!
    dedo_girl

    Not a One Man Show!

    I was so impressed by this show and I only caught it in reruns! Weiss is amazing. He plays so many sides of his character. Parker is wonderfully cast as Catherine. Personally, my favorites were Angelo and Broots. They made wonderful characters.

    One thing I especially liked was the fact that 1) There was the definatly good guy, Jarod 2) There was the sometimes good sometimes bad, Miss Parker, Broots, and

    Sidney 3) There was the always bad, Mr. Raines

    I haven't seen the movies yet, but I bet they are just as good!

    More like this

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    7.4
    The Pretender 2001
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    7.2
    The Pretender: Island of the Haunted
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    7.2
    Profiler
    Quantum Leap
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    6.7
    Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This show was partially inspired by the life of Ferdinand Demara, Jr., a genius with an eidetic memory who could master any skill just by reading a book about it.
    • Goofs
      In Season 2, episode 4, Jarod sends miss Parker a cardboard box containing a Viewmaster picture disc, and a live lobster with a note attached to it. Moments later, Mr. Lyle enters the room, and Broots, who is now holding the lobster, tries to hide it behind his back. However, when the camera pans around Broots from the back, the lobster we see is fully cooked, and hence red.
    • Quotes

      Miss Parker: Why did you save my life?

      Jarod: Because I still remember the little girl who gave me my first kiss.

    • Connections
      Featured in Profiler: Pianissimo (2000)

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does The Pretender have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • New episodes? (2020)
      • Official Online Team
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Авантюрист
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada(pilot only)
    • Production companies
      • 20th Century Fox Television
      • MTM Enterprises
      • MTM Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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