TV series
A lot of people think I like to get even. They're dead right.
Mystery and suspense series based on Robert Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser, a private investigator living in Boston, gets involved in a new murder mystery each episode.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Spenser: For Hire is available to stream on Hoopla in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Mystery and suspense series based on Robert Parker's "Spenser" novels. Spenser, a private investigator living in Boston, gets involved in a new murder mystery each episode.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
New District Attorney Rita Fiori tries to prosecute Spenser for blackmail.
Directed by William WiardGuest stars Charles Kimbrough, Josh Mostel, Marg Helgenberger, Carole Shelley, Kent Broadhurst, Dan Lauria, William Wise
Episode 2
A small fishing family hires Spenser to investigate the death of their father. Spenser suspects a rival fishing family, the Almeidas.
Directed by William WiardWritten by Juanita BartlettGuest stars Ed O'Neill, Margaret Whitton, Neill Barry, Louis Zorich
Episode 3
While Spenser and Hawk are in a small town to view a boxing match, Hawk is arrested, ostensibly for carrying a concealed weapon, but Spenser suspects racism may be involved.
Guest stars Alan North, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Atkins, Page Hannah, Jesse Doran
Episode 4
A mobster's pregnant teenage girlfriend tries to keep her unborn son from his father.
Guest stars Janice Rule, Clarice Taylor, John Cullum
Episode 5
Spenser protects a man suffering from amnesia.
Guest stars Patrick Breen, Gerry Bamman, Paul Sparer, Robert Silver
Episode 6
Spenser travels to Maine to help hunt down an escaped murderer, but the tables are turned when the man's father stalks Spenser.
Guest stars Michael Currie
Episode 7
Rita hires Spenser to investigate a troubled teenager, yet another 'Spenser helps a misguided youth' episode.
Guest stars Tim Guinee, John Spencer, Lauren Holly, Leon Russom, Peter Maloney, Gregory Salata
Episode 8
A friend of Spenser's is shot and killed while portraying Paul Revere during a Revolutionary War re-enactment.
Guest stars Robert Gerringer, Dee Hoty, James Kiberd, Donal Donnelly, Eric Bruno Borgman
Episode 9
A girl who apparently has the unique ability to 'see' through both space and time, enlists Spenser's help to solve a rash of arsons.
Directed by Cliff BoleGuest stars Colin Fox, Patricia Richardson, Jon Tenney, Kevin Conroy, Tamara Tunie, Clayton Prince
Episode 10
With the help of Hawk, a disgusted Spenser is determined to get rid of thugs who are terrorizing his Boston neighborhood.
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Seth Green
Episode 11
Hawk is the main suspect when Lt. Quirk is shot, due to a recent fracas between the two. Spenser suspects a new man in town, trying to take Hawk down to make a name for himself.
Directed by Cliff BoleGuest stars David O'Brien
Episode 12
A wealthy man is murdererd and, surprise, an innocent man is arrested. If you've seen one Spenser, you've seen them all.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars Marita Geraghty, Spalding Gray, James Murtaugh, Pamela Payton-Wright
Episode 13
Spenser investigates the apparent suicide of a philandering financier about to turn state's evidence to bring down insider trading. Rita has problems of her own when an old boyfriend shows up. Belson hires Spenser to find his missing wallet containing a winning lottery ticket.
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars John Towey, Jamey Sheridan, Rob Morrow, J.T. Walsh, E. Katherine Kerr
Episode 14
Spenser and Rita go after a corrupt African.
Directed by Cliff BoleGuest stars Blanche Baker, Ruby Dee, Laurence Fishburne
Episode 15
A girl comes to Boston looking for her estranged father. Spenser decides to help her.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars Earl Hindman, Randall Edwards, Melissa Leo, Patricia Charbonneau, David Leary, John Christopher Jones
Episode 16
A pimp is wrongfully arrested for the murder of one of his girls. Spenser agonizes between pursuing the real murderer or letting the pimp take the rap.
Guest stars Trey Wilson
Episode 17
Spenser and Hawk protect a man who owes money to men of dubious ethics. When their client, Bo Braxton tries to blackmail his creditors, he and his alcoholic teenage daughter go on the run.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars David Strathairn, Larry Riley, Rocco Sisto
Episode 18
Spenser becomes embroiled in the seamy Vietnamese organized crime racket after a Vietnamese crime boss uses Spenser to track down a former soldier.
Directed by Michael VejarWritten by Howard Gordon, Alex GansaGuest stars Jordan Clarke, Mako, Beatrice Winde
Episode 19
Spenser loses all feeling in his right arm after he's shot while guarding a politician.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars Tony Shalhoub, Frank Whaley, David Margulies, Heather Menzies
Episode 20
NRA poster-boy Sammy Backlin breezes into town for a book signing, unwittingly involving Spenser in a shoot out. Spenser agrees to protect Sammy from gangland thugs.
Directed by Bruce BilsonGuest stars Bill Cobbs, William H. Macy, Sal Viscuso, Kate Burton
Episode 21
Rita and her old college friends are reunited when a fictional person they created 20 years ago is found dead in his apartment.
Guest stars Richard Backus, Paul Guilfoyle, John Rothman, David Hyde Pierce
Episode 22
A prison inmate with a grudge against Hawk hires outside muscle to rub him out.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars John Pankow, David O'Brien
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Robert UrichSpenser
Avery BrooksHawk
Barbara StockSusan Silverman
Carolyn McCormickRita Fiore
Ron McLartyFrank Belson
Richard JaeckelMartin Quirk
Earl Hindman
James Rebhorn
ABCUnited States
