The Harry O Viewing Companion: History and Episodes of the Classic Detective Series

In the golden era of 1970s TV detective shows, Harry O stood out. David Janssen, already renowned for his role in The Fugitive, played Harry Orwell, a San Diego cop who retired after being shot in the back. The chemistry between Janssen and Anthony Zerbe, who delivered an Emmy-Award winning performance as Lt. K.C. Trench, captivated viewers and contributed to the show’s popularity. While Harry O was largely character-driven, it also featured compelling plots that retained the show’s audience throughout its two seasons.

This viewing companion to Harry O covers all episodes, providing information about cast, crew, and locations along with story analysis. Informed by archival material, including series’ creator Howard Rodman’s papers, it also features new interviews conducted by the authors, providing insight into the creation of the series. From the filming of the pilot episodes in 1972 to the show’s cancellation in 1976, the book offers a comprehensive history of each step in the show’s development.

Steve Aldous has a lifelong interest in music, cinema and crime fiction. Author of a number of well-received short stories, articles and essays, he lives in Bury, Lancashire, UK. Gary Gillies is a musician/producer and the Co/CEO of two record companies. He is also co-creator and producer of Alien War, a theatrical production in partnership with 20th Century Fox in London. He lives in Glasgow, Scotland.