Simon Templar is a bit of a contradiction. He’s a criminal, but he’s the hero. He’s a thief, yet he’s the moral compass of every room he walks into. If you grew up in the sixties—or if you’ve spent any time scouring late-night cable for something better than modern reality junk—you know The Saint tv series isn't just a show. It’s a vibe. It's the blueprint for the suave, globetrotting adventurer that paved the way for everything from James Bond to Burn Notice.
Most people think of Roger Moore as 007. Honestly, though? He was arguably better as the Saint. Before he ever touched a Walther PPK, Moore was leaning against a white Volvo P1800, looking at the camera with that raised eyebrow, while a glowing halo appeared over his head. It was meta before meta was a thing.
The Saint TV Series: Not Your Average Robin Hood
The show actually started in 1962. It ran for six seasons, which is a massive stint for that era of television. Based on the novels by Leslie Charteris, the series followed Simon Templar, a wealthy adventurer who lived by a code that was... well, let's call it flexible. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but he definitely kept a healthy commission for himself to fund that tailored wardrobe and the expensive gin.
What’s wild is how the show evolved. The first four seasons were shot in black and white. It felt noir. It felt gritty. Then, in 1966, the show exploded into color, and suddenly the suits were brighter, the locations felt more exotic (even if a lot of them were just the backlot at Elstree Studios), and the tone shifted toward the high-adventure style we associate with the mid-sixties.
Why the Volvo P1800 became an icon
You can’t talk about this show without the car. Fun fact: the producers originally wanted a Jaguar E-Type. Jaguar, in a move they probably regretted for decades, turned them down. They didn't think the show would be a hit. Volvo stepped in, provided the P1800, and the car became a superstar. It was sleek, it was Swedish, and it fit Templar’s "outsider with taste" persona perfectly.
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Roger Moore vs. The World
Roger Moore played Simon Templar 118 times. That’s a lot of acting. He didn't just play the role; he basically owned the character’s soul. Before Moore, the character in the books was a bit more violent, a bit darker. Moore brought a lightness. A wink. He made the "Robin Hood of Modern Crime" someone you actually wanted to have a drink with, rather than someone you’d be terrified of meeting in a dark alley.
But he wasn't the only one. People often forget that before the The Saint tv series hit it big with Moore, there were radio plays and movies. Later, we had the Ian Ogilvy era in Return of the Saint (1978-79). Ogilvy was great, actually. He looked the part. He had the hair. But he lacked that specific "Moore Magic" that made the original 1960s run a global phenomenon.
And don't get me started on the Val Kilmer movie from 1997. It tried. It really did. But turning Simon Templar into a master of disguise with a weird collection of wigs sort of missed the point of the character’s inherent charisma.
The Production Magic (And the Flaws)
Let's be real for a second. The show had some "charms" that wouldn't fly today. The "international" locations? Most of the time, the crew would just throw a different hat on a background actor and put a potted palm tree in the corner of the set to convince us we were in Italy or Brazil.
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Yet, it worked. The writing was sharp enough to carry the low-budget sets. Writers like Terry Nation (who created the Daleks for Doctor Who) and Brian Clemens (The Avengers) contributed scripts. They understood that the show wasn't about the mystery as much as it was about the man. Templar was always the smartest person in the room. He was a step ahead of Inspector Teal—the long-suffering Scotland Yard man played by Ivor Dean. Their relationship was the heart of the show’s humor. Teal wanted to catch him; Templar wanted to help Teal catch the real bad guys. It was a beautiful dance.
Key elements that defined the episodes:
- The Fourth Wall Break: Templar talking directly to us at the start of every episode.
- The Halo: That animated ring that popped up when someone mentioned his name.
- The Stick Figure: The "Saint" logo that Templar would leave behind as a calling card.
- The Gadgets: Minimal, but he always had the right tool for a lock or a quick escape.
Why it Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of gritty reboots. Everything is dark. Everyone has "trauma." The Saint tv series reminds us that adventure can just be... fun. It was aspirational. It showed a world where a man could travel the globe, right wrongs, and look impeccable doing it. It’s "competence porn" at its finest. We like watching people who are good at what they do.
Furthermore, the show was a pioneer in syndication. It was one of the first British shows to really break the American market in a huge way. Without the success of Simon Templar, we might never have seen the British Invasion of television that brought us The Prisoner or The Persuaders!.
The Lost Episodes and the Legacy
There are still debates in fan circles about the "best" era. Some purists love the black-and-white episodes because they stayed closer to the mystery-thriller roots of the Charteris books. Others live for the technicolor dream of the later years.
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If you’re looking to dive in, don't start at the beginning. Jump into season 5. The color episodes are where the show finds its swagger. "The Queen's Ransom" or "The Better Mousetrap" are classic examples of the formula working at 100% capacity.
The influence of the show is everywhere. Look at White Collar. Look at Sherlock. Look at any show where a charming rogue helps the law while staying just outside of it. They all owe a debt to the stick figure with the halo.
Actionable Steps for the Modern Viewer
If you want to experience The Saint tv series properly today, don't just binge it like a Netflix show. It wasn't designed for that. It was designed for a Friday night with a cocktail in hand.
- Hunt down the Blu-ray restorations. The network (now ITV) did a fantastic job cleaning up the film stock. The colors in the later seasons are vivid and gorgeous.
- Watch for the guest stars. You’ll see a young Donald Sutherland, Oliver Reed, and even many future Bond villains popping up as guest heavies.
- Pay attention to the score. Edwin Astley’s theme music is one of the most underrated pieces of television history. It’s jaunty, mysterious, and iconic.
- Read the original books. Leslie Charteris was a fascinating guy (half-Chinese, half-English) who lived a life as wild as his character. The books are punchier and more cynical than the show.
The series is a time capsule. It’s a window into a world of mid-century modern design, slim-fit suits, and a brand of heroism that didn't take itself too seriously. Whether you're a car enthusiast or a spy-thriller junkie, the Saint is the gold standard.
To get the most out of your viewing, start with the episode "The Helpful Pirate." It perfectly encapsulates the balance of humor, action, and Templar's unique brand of justice. Once you've seen Moore’s version, try the 1989 television movies starring Andrew Clarke just to see how much the tone changed across decades. You’ll quickly realize why the 1960s version remains the definitive take on the character. Keep an eye out for streaming rights on platforms like BritBox or Pluto TV, as they frequently rotate the classic episodes into their libraries.