TV series
If you can't do the time don't do the crime
Baretta is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma. While popular, Toma received intense criticism at the time for its realistic and frequent depiction of police and criminal violence. When Musante left the series after a single season, the concept was retooled as Baretta, with Robert Blake in the title role.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Baretta premiered January 17, 1975. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Baretta is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma. While popular, Toma received intense criticism at the time for its realistic and frequent depiction of police and criminal violence. When Musante left the series after a single season, the concept was retooled as Baretta, with Robert Blake in the title role.
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Episode 1
Baretta comes to suspect that his close friend, a music store owner, may not only be a drug dealer, but may be unknowingly selling heroin so pure that it is killing his customers.
Directed by Bernard L. KowalskiWritten by Paul A. MagistrettiGuest stars Kim Darby, Joyce DeWitt, Norman Burton, Paul Williams, Al Ruscio
Episode 2
Baretta has to go on the run to clear his name after he is framed for the murder of a gun dealer he was investigating, who was selling weapons to teenagers.
Directed by Jeannot SzwarcWritten by Michael ButlerGuest stars Bill McKinney, Harris Yulin, Joe Renteria
Episode 3
Baretta must use his wits to survive after he and a runaway girl he apprehended unwittingly get into a police car being driven by a couple of holdup men disguised as cops.
Directed by Jeannot SzwarcWritten by Michael ButlerGuest stars Mackenzie Phillips, Gary Busey, Angelo Rossitto, Strother Martin, Mario Gallo
Episode 4
When a conventioneer is murdered, Baretta finds that the only witness is a busboy who doesn't want to get involved, but the real murderer is after the man too.
Directed by Arnold LavenWritten by Jack TurleyGuest stars Beth Porter, Mitchell Ryan, Terry Kiser, Don 'Red' Barry
Episode 5
To find an arsonist, Baretta seeks the help of a former investigator who retired after suffering both physical and psychological damage in a fire.
Directed by Ted PostWritten by Gregory TeiferGuest stars Lincoln Kilpatrick, Sharon Cintron, Héctor Elizondo
Episode 6
While Baretta is investigating a series of waterfront killings, his cover becomes in danger of being blown by a waitress who knows him and thinks he is responsible for the death of her boyfriend.
Directed by Jeannot SzwarcWritten by Jeff Spielman, Michael SimpsonGuest stars Jack Colvin, Susan Tyrrell, Charles Napier
Episode 7
Persuaded by his grandson to reopen the case of a retired cop supposedly killed in a fall, Baretta discovers a judge on the take.
Directed by Bernard L. KowalskiWritten by Jeff Spielman, Michael SimpsonGuest stars Hector Elias, Brock Peters
Episode 8
To infiltrate a gang of jewel robbers, Baretta seeks the help of a former expert safecracker he once sent to prison.
Directed by Curtis HarringtonWritten by Michael ButlerGuest stars Timothy Carey, Don Keefer, Richard Cox, Larry D. Mann, Charles Durning, Larry Block
Episode 9
When a dying hoodlum entrusts his girlfriend with a detailed record of all his underworld activities, she is sought by both the police and his former cronies seeking to protect themselves.
Directed by Robert DouglasWritten by Robert JanesGuest stars Karen Valentine, Anne Revere, Scott Glenn, Elisha Cook Jr., Donnelly Rhodes, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Caesar
Episode 10
Baretta doggedly follows a truck driver he suspects of killing the cat burglar who injured his wife, waiting for the man to make a mistake that will reveal his guilt.
Directed by Robert DouglasWritten by Paul A. MagistrettiGuest stars Pamela Bellwood, Sharon Cintron, Gloria LeRoy, Slim Pickens
Episode 11
Baretta is investigating a mob theft of diamonds belonging to Mr. Nicholas and winds up helping a merchant who is threatened by a new group in the neighborhood called the East Side Benevolent Society, who is forcing all the shop owners to pay money for protection or suffer the consequences.
Directed by Burt BrinckerhoffWritten by Burt YoungGuest stars Burt Young, George Loros, Ric Mancini, Ian Scott
Episode 12
Baretta must find a nurse's 9-year-old sister, witness to the murder of a blind hot-dog vendor, before the killers do.
Directed by Bruce KesslerWritten by Robert E. SwansonGuest stars Tony Burton, Meg Foster, Angelo Rossitto, Alex Henteloff, Ron Thompson
Episode 13
When his partner is charged with shooting a suspect in the back, Baretta tries to locate the only witness who can save the man's career, but the real murderers are after him too.
Directed by Charles R. RondeauWritten by Roy HugginsGuest stars Joyce DeWitt, Angelo Rossitto, Roger E. Mosley
Episode 14
When a plea bargain falls through, Baretta must infiltrate a murderous motorcycle gang to save his informant.
Directed by Robert DouglasWritten by Edward J. LaksoGuest stars Stacy Keach, Sr., Sally Kirkland, Billy Green Bush, Alan Mandell, John Lehne, Bruce Boxleitner
Episode 15
Baretta tracks a distraught father who has killed the doctor he believes responsible for the death of his son, then has gone after the local drug dealers as well.
Directed by Curtis HarringtonWritten by Robert LewinGuest stars Val Avery, Sharon Cintron, Lainie Kazan, Ron Thompson
Episode 16
After a crime lord is arrested, Baretta must jeopardize an undercover policewoman to stop an escalating war of succession between gangland factions.
Directed by Robert DouglasWritten by Michael GraisGuest stars Teddy Wilson, Joan Collins, Roger Robinson, Ron Thompson
Episode 17
Believing that Baretta pocketed $500,000 in stolen bonds after stopping a robbery, a mobster takes Billy hostage until the money is turned over.
Directed by Vincent ShermanWritten by Gustave FieldGuest stars Sharon Cintron, Michael Pataki
Episode 18
After a young pickpocket is killed, Baretta solicits the help of an expert to infiltrate the gang that operates at an airline terminal.
Directed by Douglas HeyesWritten by T.S. CookGuest stars Jeffrey Kramer, Whitman Mayo, Ron Thompson, William Traylor
Episode 19
Baretta risks his life going undercover as a prison inmate to discover why two suspects in a jewelry heist were killed.
Directed by Robert DouglasWritten by Robert Lewin, Earl W. WallaceGuest stars Erik Estrada, M. Emmet Walsh, Tommy Lee Jones
Episode 20
Pursuing a gunrunner with spinal meningitis, Baretta becomes infected and has 48 hours to find the man and his cohorts before he has to go into quarantine.
Directed by Burt BrinckerhoffWritten by Paul CaseyGuest stars Ahna Capri, Scott Hylands, Carmen Filpi, Louis Guss
Episode 21
A retarded waitress who sees a narcotics cop commit murder allows herself to be persuaded that another man committed the crime.
Directed by Vincent ShermanWritten by Adrian SpiesGuest stars Richard Jaeckel, Marc Alaimo, Joseph Hacker
Episode 22
When a mother has second thoughts after selling her baby, she helps Baretta infiltrate a group trafficking in black market babies.
Directed by Bruce KesslerWritten by Robert I. HoltGuest stars Laurie Prange, Bill Phipps, Rudy Solari
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Available now in United States
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ABCUnited States
