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IMDbPro

The Pretender

  • TV Series
  • 1996–20001996–2000
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
946
457
Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
Pretender, The (German Trailer)
Play trailer0:45
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaMysterySci-Fi
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.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
946
457
    • Steven Long Mitchell
    • Craig W. Van Sickle
  • Stars
    • Michael T. Weiss
    • Andrea Parker
    • Patrick Bauchau
    • Steven Long Mitchell
    • Craig W. Van Sickle
  • Stars
    • Michael T. Weiss
    • Andrea Parker
    • Patrick Bauchau
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 74User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys

    Episodes86

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos1

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

    Photos1817

    Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
    The Pretender (1996)
    Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
    The Pretender (1996)
    Andrea Parker and Harve Presnell in The Pretender (1996)
    Hillary Kidwell and Melissa Kidwell in The Pretender (1996)
    Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
    Michael T. Weiss and Danny Zorn in The Pretender (1996)
    Lilyan Chauvin and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
    The Pretender (1996)
    Patrick Bauchau and Andrea Parker in The Pretender (1996)
    Thomas Wagner in The Pretender (1996)

    Top cast

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

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    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: Grand Master (1999)

    User reviews74

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    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!!!
    helpful•18
    6
    • secrets_and_lies3
    • Jan 18, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1996 (United States)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • New episodes? (2020)
      • Official Online Team
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • 20th Century Fox Television
      • MTM Entertainment
      • Mitchell/Van Sickle Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour
      • Color
      • Dolby

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    Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss in The Pretender (1996)
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