The Defenders

The Defenders (1961-1965)

EndedScripted showDrama, Crime, Legal

Together, Lawrence Preston and his son Kenneth represent defendants in complex legal cases.

Network
Scheduleevery Thursday at 20:30 (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S04E30Only a ChildMay 13, 1965
S04E29The Bum's RushMay 6, 1965
S04E28The ProsecutorApr 29, 1965
S04E27Youths and Maidens on an Evening WalkApr 15, 1965
S04E26A Matter of Law and DisorderApr 8, 1965
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'The Defenders' premiere?

'The Defenders' premiered on September 16, 1961.

Who were the main characters in 'The Defenders'?

The main characters in 'The Defenders' were Lawrence Preston, Kenneth Preston, and Helen Donaldson.

What was the genre of 'The Defenders'?

'The Defenders' was a legal drama television series.

Who were the creators of 'The Defenders'?

'The Defenders' was created by Reginald Rose and Herbert Brodkin.

In what city was 'The Defenders' set?

'The Defenders' was set in New York City.

What was the premise of 'The Defenders'?

'The Defenders' followed the lives of two defense attorneys and their struggles to uphold justice in the courtroom.

Did 'The Defenders' tackle controversial social issues?

Yes, 'The Defenders' was known for addressing controversial social issues of the time in its episodes.

Who played Lawrence Preston in 'The Defenders'?

E.G. Marshall portrayed the character of Lawrence Preston in 'The Defenders'.

Who played Kenneth Preston in 'The Defenders'?

Robert Reed portrayed the character of Kenneth Preston in 'The Defenders'.

Who played Helen Donaldson in 'The Defenders'?

Joan Hackett portrayed the character of Helen Donaldson in 'The Defenders'.

Did 'The Defenders' receive critical acclaim?

Yes, 'The Defenders' received critical acclaim for its intelligent writing and powerful performances.

How many seasons did 'The Defenders' have?

'The Defenders' had a total of four seasons.

Did 'The Defenders' win any awards?

Yes, 'The Defenders' won several awards, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards.

Were there any notable guest stars on 'The Defenders'?

Yes, 'The Defenders' featured appearances by notable guest stars such as William Shatner and Gene Hackman.

Did 'The Defenders' address political issues?

Yes, 'The Defenders' often delved into political issues, reflecting the turbulent times of the 1960s.

What was the impact of 'The Defenders' on television?

'The Defenders' was considered groundbreaking for its realistic portrayal of legal and social issues, paving the way for more socially conscious television shows.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Amazing World of Gumball
Running

The Amazing World of Gumball

The Amazing World of Gumball is about an amusing blue cat named Gumball and his best buddy Darwin, a pet goldfish, combines 2D and 3D animation in a live-action setting.

Taskmaster
Running

Taskmaster

Greg Davies is the Taskmaster who, with the help of his right-hand man, Alex, sets out to test the wiles, wit and wisdom of five hyper competitive comedians through a series of ingenious challenges. With the chance to be crowned show champion, rivalry amongst the comedians is encouraged, dodgy tactics rewarded and bribes accepted.

GenreComedy
Butterfly
Upcoming

Butterfly

Butterfly revolves around David Jung, an enigmatic, highly unpredictable former US intelligence operative living in South Korea, whose life is blown to pieces when the consequences of an impossible decision from his past come back to haunt him, and he finds himself pursued by Rebecca, a deadly, sociopathic young agent assigned to kill him.

The Floor
Running

The Floor

The Floor is a physical quiz show that sees 81 contestants face off in quiz duels on a giant LED floor divided into a 9×9 grid of squares, each representing its own field of knowledge.

The first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent's category. The winner takes over the loser's square, gaining valuable ground as they expand their territory, while the loser exits the game. The winner must then choose – do they continue on and attempt to secure another square? Or do they let The Floor choose a new challenger? The last contestant standing who gains full control over The Floor takes home a life-changing $250,000 cash prize.

Hostage
Upcoming

Hostage

Abigail Dalton the recently elected British Prime Minister is fighting for office thanks to a healthcare crisis. Vivienne Toussaint is the first female French President campaigning for re-election no matter what — including tackling France's borders.

A summit between the two women could be the answer to their prayers if they can agree. But when Dalton's husband is kidnapped and Toussaint is blackmailed, they both face unimaginable choices. Forced into a fierce rivalry where their political futures, and lives, might hang in the balance, can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?