The Pretender
“Hero of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand lives.”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 15:11 IST
About
Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually a prisoner and his captors are not as benevolent as he's been told, he breaks out. While trying to find his real identity, Jarod helps those he encounters and tries to avoid the woman sent to retrieve him.
Cast
Episodes
Season 1
Pilot
New York, New York - Miss Parker and Sydney find they had just missed Jarod helping a tanker ship in Alaska. Jarod is now posing as a doctor to uncover the truth behind an operation that resulted in a boy becoming paraplegic. Jarod also befriends a sicilian woman who has trouble with (ahem) bowel movements.
Every Picture Tells A Story
San Diego - California. Miss Parker and Sydney once again miss Jarod at the Y.M.C.A., who is now posing as a member of the Coast Guard trying to figure out the truth behind the death of a man who died at sea waiting for rescue. Jarod also befriends a hermit who lives out at sea and refuses to come back to land.
Flyer
Arizona - Sydney and Miss Parker survey a wind farm in Baja, CA where Jarod was last seen testing aerodynamics. Jarod is now flying jets for Skyvionics, which is testing a defense contractor's new computer system, while trying to figure out why a test pilot died during one of the tests. Jarod also befriends Mr. Hollis, a conspirator who was involved in the Manhattan Project.
Curious Jarod
Las Vegas, Nevada - After spending some time studying mathematics and science, Jarod becomes head of security at a the Marquee Casino in Las Vegas. While there, he attempts to solve the mystery behind the death of a showgirl. Jarod also befriends a down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker resort to finding Jarod through the mob.
The Paper Clock
Los Angeles, California - Aiming to help a man wrongly sentenced for murder, Jarod becomes a lawyer and goes after the arrogant attorney protecting the real killer. Meanwhile, Sydney is trying to reach an agreement with The Centre to make a trade with Jarod: A piece of Jarod's past for some of the simulations.
To Protect and Serve
Miami Beach, Florida - Jarod, suspecting corruption in a police department, becomes an officer himself to solve the death of a boy who had recently been reunited with his father. He also befriends an aging lady who's young at heart, but is afraid of losing her wildside due to her fading eyesight. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is spending time in jail for violating criminal code 369.7 - Unlawful Carrying and Possession of Concealed Weapon, thanks to a tip from Jarod. With her in jail, Jarod uses that window of opportunity to hire a private investigator to aid in finding information about his mother.
A Virus Among Us
Chicago, Illinois - Miss Parker finds that she just missed Jarod posing as a High School biology teacher, and is then subjected to the flu virus. Jarod now poses as a virologist at an infectious disease laboratory trying to figure out the story behind the disappearance of another virologist. He also befriends Ben, a musician who is trying to prefect his musical talent on various instruments, although his neighbors don't care for it.
Not Even A Mouse
Baltimore, Mariland - Jarod investigates the mystery behind a hit-and-run death of a homeless man known as 'Christmas George' while simultaneously trying to identify a Jane Doe before Christmas. Meanwhile, Sydney anxiously awaits word from Jarod and Miss Parker gets her hopes up spending Christmas with her father.
Where does The Pretender rank today?
The Pretender is #403 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #403
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch The Pretender Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream The Pretender online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A well-rated drama, mystery, and sci-fi & fantasy series originally produced in English and released in 1996, it's earned a solid 7.4/10 from 214 viewers worldwide.
About The Pretender
“Hero of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand lives.”
Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually a prisoner and his captors are not as benevolent as he's been told, he breaks out. While trying to find his real identity, Jarod helps those he encounters and tries to avoid the woman sent to retrieve him. Across 4 seasons and 86 episodes, originally airing on NBC.
The Pretender Cast and Characters
The cast features Michael T. Weiss (as Jarod), Andrea Parker (as Miss Parker), Patrick Bauchau (as Sydney), and Jon Gries (as Broots). Their performances are a major reason The Pretender has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Pretender Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch The Pretender free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch The Pretender NowWhy People Are Watching The Pretender
The Pretender flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts, tight pacing that earns its twists, and world-building that respects the audience's intelligence. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Pretender
Where can I watch The Pretender online for free?
You can watch The Pretender online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Pretender have?
The Pretender has 86 episodes across 4 seasons. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Pretender good? What's the rating?
The Pretender holds a 7.4/10 rating based on 214 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of The Pretender?
The main cast includes Michael T. Weiss, Andrea Parker, Patrick Bauchau, and Jon Gries.
Is The Pretender available in English?
Yes — The Pretender was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Pretender released?
The Pretender first aired in 1996.
Do I need an account to watch The Pretender on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Pretender without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed The Pretender, check out The Forgotten, Suspects, Grantchester, Ultraman, and Departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Pretender for free?
You can watch The Pretender online for free on Bowood.TV. All 86 episodes across 4 seasons are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Pretender have?
The Pretender currently has 4 seasons and a total of 86 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Pretender about?
Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually a prisoner and his captors are not as benevolent as he's been told, he breaks out. While trying to find his real identity, J… It belongs to the Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy genres.
In which language is The Pretender originally available?
The Pretender was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Pretender first released?
The Pretender first premiered on September 19, 1996 (1996). The series has since concluded its run.
All Seasons
Browse every season of The Pretender — 4 seasons in total
People Also Search For
💬 Comments
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts, rate episodes, and connect with other fans
Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome to the discussion.
Feel free to share your thoughts about this series — what did you love, what surprised you, which episodes are your favorites? 🎬
Got ideas for what we should add to Bowood.TV? Want to suggest a series? Drop it here! We read every comment ✨
Similar Shows
Shows like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this series
