Overview: Based on Robert B. Parker’s iconic detective novels and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the American crime drama series, Spenser: For Hire fans can once again experience every gripping moment with the release of Spenser: For Hire – The Complete Series on DVD, arriving September 9th, 2025.

In the shadows of Boston, Spenser (Robert Urich), a former cop with a poet’s soul and a fighter’s fists, solves crimes in his own uniquely stylish way. A true Renaissance man, he faces danger head-on, backed by his formidable ally Hawk (Avery Brooks) and contacts inside the police department. While he’s unstoppable on the streets, his love life stalls as his longtime love (Barbara Stock) refuses to marry a man whose life is a constant dance with death.

For the first time ever, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment brings together all three seasons of this action-packed crime, mystery-drama in one comprehensive collection.

DVD Verdict: Including all 65 episodes from all three seasons, this brand new Spenser: For Hire - The Complete Series 16-Disc DVD box-set is as good as it gets, my friends!

When I first heard that Robert Urich was cast to play another P.I. in yet another television series I began to have mixed feelings. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Vegas and I was excited and couldn’t wait to see what Spenser: For Hire was going to be like, but at the same time I also felt a sense of been there, done that brewing.

The new series was just going to have to show me that it was worthy of my viewership ... and it didn’t take long! I fell in love with the show after just a few episodes. Mostly because of the cast and the chemistry they soon developed, and the locations around Boston that I recognized.

Robert Urich and Avery Brooks were born to play opposite each other as were Urich and Barbara Stock. As Spenser and Hawk -- and Spenser and Susan, along with Sgt. Belson and Lt. Quirk, after a few episodes, I knew I was going to like this show. I also loved how they used locations around the Boston area and was amused when they (for example) were supposed to be in Boston’s North End, yet they actually were filming in Central Square in Lynn (although most wouldn’t know that unless they were from the area).

No particular episode stands out as my favorite during the first season, but one that I like to go to when needing my Spenser fix would be Discord in A Minor (a dark episode about a troubled musical child prodigy and her equally talented father who, and without a doubt, was ten times as troubled).

Some notable first season guests included William H. Macy, Chuck Connors and Shirley Knight.

Now, the second season got an upheaval as Executive Producer Juanita Bartlett had sent Barbara Stock’s Susan Silverman packing, and Spenser needed Susan as his lady love; as in Robert B. Parkers’ hugely successful series of novels.

The stand out episode here for me has to be The Long Hunt, which is just about perfect, and as a plus we see the introduction of the temporary replacement hero car after Spenser’s prized classic Mustang is destroyed!

Spenser is a hidden gem. It was, I believe, only shown once on British TV and then never repeated. Spenser is a quality product unlike many of the modern cop shows. Oh, and one of the pluses is seeing major stars like Samuel L. Jackson in supporting roles.

Adding to that, other notable second season guests also included Marg Helgenberger, Ed O’Neill, Spalding Gray, Laurence Fishburne and Ruby Dee.

The third, and final season was, for me, the best of the best of all three seasons. Saying it like it is, Spenser: For Hire was the best TV show of all time! It was also a great detective series and the only thing I hated about the show was that it only lasted three seasons. Again, this show ended way too soon!

Both Spenser and Hawk were very complex characters and terribly difficult to cast but they pulled it off! Robert B. Parker broke the mold when he created Hawk. That said, and being as polite as possible, and this applies to the second season too, I continue to wonder how the actress who became the reinvented Susan Silverman got cast. She is awful!

My favorite episode was Play It Again, Sammy which, sure, ok, was a little over the top at times maybe, but it was an excellent showcasing of the entire cast. Also, Substantial Justice is a close second for me, and Child’s Play an extremely close third.

Some notable third season guest stars included E.G. Marshall, Ving Rhames, Andie MacDowell, William Hickey and Giancarlo Esposito.

Spenser: For Hire stars Robert Urich, Avery Brooks, Ron McLarty, Richard Jaeckel, Barbara Stock, and Carolyn McCormick, and was produced by John Wilder Productions (1985-1986) and Jadda Productions (1986-1987) both in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Original ABC Spenser For Hire 1985 Series Premiere Promo Trailer