The Prisoner is my favorite TV series of all time. So of course I*m interested if anybody can give me suggestions of other TV series that is similar to The Prisoner?
shareA couple of series that immediately come to mind are "Lost" and "Persons Unknown" (a short-lived miniseries). They aren't exactly like "The Prisoner", but they do have a number of elements in common. There are of course a lot of shows that, while not quite so similar to "The Prisoner", are different from your standard TV shows (I'm thinking of shows like "Life on Mars" or "Awake").
And of course there's Alton Brown's "Good Eats", as mentioned elsewhere in this thread.
Alton Brown's "Good Eats"... Are you - too - kidding me?
Otherwise I'm much obliged for your kind suggestions, Quailwood. I've seen all six seasons of "Lost" and did really enjoy that series. I've ordered the UK version of "Life on Mars". I've searched for "Persons Unknown" and "Awake", but they seems to be available only on amazon instant video - still I really want to thank you for mentioning these series which were new for me.
In some ways, "The Equalizer" is, in the sense that I could see #6 doing what Robert McCall does from that series, which is making up for his past by helping ordinary people in need, like he does in 'Hammer Into Anvil', where he avenges the death of that woman by taking down #2, equalizing the odds on her behalf posthumously as it were.
share"Nowhere Man" tv series
shareOn the funny side,"Gilligan Island". They too wanted to get away from there and get home.
"Star Trek: Voyager", another one where they want to get home.
"Lazarus Man", a cancelled series with Robert Urich. It's about a man who loses his memory and want to be his own man again.
"Xena" someone who wants to change her past, just like No.6.
Listen these are the best choices but all I could come up with in one sitting. Hopefully these will spark more ideas.
I had to come back, I thought of another one, "The Fugitive".
shareI could probably think of some TV series that the OP might like, i.e. The Avengers, The Champions etc which were made around the same time but I think The Prisoner was quite unique and I can't recall any other series that was similar.
shareThanks a lot, cind5!
shareAgreed. Straight ,good, rip off
share"Blake's 7" sometimes touched on similar themes, I was just watching "The Prisoner" and listening to the commentary on the DVD by one of the writers and the director and they mentioned a line that was spoken by the late Leo McKern and his Number 2 character mentions something about "It doesn't matter who sent you here, both sides are working toward the dame goal or something to that effect.
In an episode of "Blake's 7" one of the character says the same thing about The Federation who controls everything in the future and a criminal organization that makes a drug called Shadow I believe.
The crew ends up finding out that the Federation actually controls and secretly backs the criminal organization and is the true manufacturer of the drug Shadow, and the crew comes to realization that what seems like two different sides vying for control of the citizens of the Federation are actually trying to achieve the same goal.
You might also like "Vr.5" unfortunately the series was canceled before we truly found out who and The Committee's end game.
"The Pretender" also touched on individual freedoms and liberties, the main character had already escaped from The Center where he had been held captive and all his movements were monitored, and The Center spends most of their resources trying to capture him and bring him back.
I was just listening to commentary by the director of the episode "Schizoid Man" and he was talking about how he asked Mr. McGoohan how he came up with the idea for the series because it was very different.
It's interesting to hear the opening dialogue now with the NSA leaks.
When the Prisoner ask "What do you want?" and who ever is Number Two replies "Information!" Well now we know they really do want information and they'll get it any way they can.
Just as Number Two always says "By hook or by crook, we will."
I think you can find similar story lines in many series that touch on the same themes. The series is unique as others have stated.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Thanks a lot "knight_sentinel" for your truly nice and ambitious answer!
Yes, The Prisoner seems to be a unique series - and still it seems to be more and more relevant as the years go by!
I'm much obliged to your concrete suggestions! Earlier on I've purchased both Blake's 7 (series one) and The Pretender (first season) but I haven't had the time to watch any of them as yet - now I will! I've also heard of VR-5, but that series seems impossible to get your hands on!
Your answer was exactly the kind I hoped for, so again - thanks a lot!
A few years ago "Vr.5" was available as torrent.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
You forgot Good Eats.
share"Nowhere man" was a show influenced by The Prisoner. It is worth a try.
Prisoner had a remake a year or two ago - not worth seeing despite Ian McKellen being in it.