Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsPride MonthAmerican Black Film FestivalSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Pretender

  • TV Series
  • 1996–2000
  • TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,336
1,248
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
    4,336
    1,248
    • 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

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 3.1K
    View Poster

    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
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    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.
    10syates-42021

    Interesting, fun and "clean".

    This is 2023 and I am re-watching The Pretender. I find myself going back to the old shows because all the new ones are CRAP. The Pretender had excellent writers, good actors and was suitable for the whole family. There have been other shows with similar story lines but lacking the humor and "justice" this one has. Two similar shows in the past that I enjoyed were "The Fugitive" and "The Immortal" with Christopher George. This show had the same qualities but was less intense. The hero was always on the run, evading and outsmarting the bad guys. No blood, sex, gore and most important NO WOKE. Happy viewing.
    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!
    dex-12

    excellent!!

    A great series that was axed too soon (though the fourth season was rather weak). Jarod was the type of character we all wish we could be: super-intelligent and the kind who gets the bad guys all the time and does hilarious things to them in order to them to confess to just how bad they are. Man - I wish I could do stuff like that. Too bad Pretender's aren't real (or are they?). We could sure use some of them in the real world (doing good, of course). Let's hope TNT decides to pick up the series and continue it. One of the best shows of the 90s.
    Blizzy

    Addictive

    I remember watching this show when it first started (I was in 7th grade) and completely loving it. Then, I stopped watching, I assume, because I couldn't fit it into my schedule. I got hooked again when I saw "Pretender: Island of the Haunted" last December, and now I watch the show everyday on TNT. I just can't get enough of it! Something about it makes you just seem glued to the TV. I don't know why this show was cancelled as it was so great (even its final season), but I am glad that they made a few movies. Hopefully that will continue! New and old Jarod fans appreciate it!!

    More like this

    The Pretender 2001
    7.4
    The Pretender 2001
    The Pretender: Island of the Haunted
    7.2
    The Pretender: Island of the Haunted
    Profiler
    7.2
    Profiler
    Quantum Leap
    8.2
    Quantum Leap
    Renegade
    6.0
    Renegade
    MacGyver
    7.6
    MacGyver
    Alias
    7.6
    Alias
    Highlander
    7.2
    Highlander
    Viper
    5.8
    Viper
    Sliders
    7.4
    Sliders
    JAG
    6.7
    JAG
    The Sentinel
    6.5
    The Sentinel

    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)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
    Top Gap
    What is the Hindi language plot outline for The Pretender (1996)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.