Right now you can watch Hardcastle and McCormick on streaming — and it earns its twists rather than manufacturing them. The 3-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Brian Keith leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Hardcastle and McCormick earns its spot. The plotting gives Hardcastle and McCormick its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. Hardcastle and McCormick is an American action/drama television series from Stephen J. Cannell Productions, shown on ABC from 1983 through 1986. The series stars Brian Keith as Judge Milton C. Credit to Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. The series ran for 3 seasons (1983–1986), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. Hardcastle and McCormick is at its best in the quiet scenes between the plot beats, where the character work actually happens. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, Hardcastle and McCormick will keep you hooked. If you have already watched The Saint, Hardcastle and McCormick is a natural next step. The complete run is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Brian Keith carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.

Hardcastle and McCormick wrapped up in 1986, created by Stephen J. Cannell — and 3 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.