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Mission: Impossible

Name: Mission: Impossible
Genre: Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama
Released: 1966-09-17
Cast: Peter Graves, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Lynda Day George, Bob Johnson

1966 | 7 seasons | Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

People are still talking about it. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and action fans. If you loved Burn Notice, start here.
The mood: Dark and gritty.
The pace: 7 seasons and 171 episodes: a long-haul commitment.
What might put you off: Rated TV-PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
A big time investment at 7 seasons.
Made in 1966: an older pace and style.

Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
AwardsSolid
Won 1 Emmy: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Drama Series. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Television Series – Drama.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 7 seasons and reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 346K people sought it out in the past year