TV series
The XYY Man is a 1976–77 British crime thriller television series created by Kenneth Royce, based on his novel series about reformed cat burglar William 'Spider' Scott, recruited by British intelligence for secret missions due to his unique genetic makeup (an extra Y chromosome), which supposedly predisposes him to crime. The plot follows his reluctant work for the secret service and his constant pursuit by the dogged Detective Sergeant George Bulman, leading to spin-offs like Strangers and Bulman.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The XYY Man premiered July 3, 1976. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
The XYY Man is a 1976–77 British crime thriller television series created by Kenneth Royce, based on his novel series about reformed cat burglar William 'Spider' Scott, recruited by British intelligence for secret missions due to his unique genetic makeup (an extra Y chromosome), which supposedly predisposes him to crime. The plot follows his reluctant work for the secret service and his constant pursuit by the dogged Detective Sergeant George Bulman, leading to spin-offs like Strangers and Bulman.
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Episode 1
Spider has bought a half share in a small executive aircraft which he flies with his partner. One of his first customers is an acquaintance from his days of crime. He thinks nothing of it until his best friend is found dead in the Thames.
Directed by Ken GrieveWritten by Tim AspinallGuest stars Johnny Shannon, Brian Croucher, Oliver Maguire, Fiona Curzon, Pamela Cundell, William Squire, Jane Southwell, Jim Breaks
Episode 2
Has Riesen become involved with American crime and, if he really has, what impact will this have on Spider?
Directed by Ken GrieveWritten by Tim AspinallGuest stars Johnny Shannon, Brian Croucher, Oliver Maguire, Fiona Curzon, Pamela Cundell, William Squire, Ron Pember, Arnold Diamond
Episode 3
Spider is forced to fly up North en route to Russia with a bomb onboard. This turns out to be the decoy at the airport for a half a million pound robbery.
Directed by Ken GrieveWritten by Tim AspinallGuest stars Johnny Shannon, Brian Croucher, Oliver Maguire, Fiona Curzon, Pamela Cundell, William Squire, Jo Scott Matthews, Arnold Diamond
Episode 4
Narrowly escaping the aeroplane explosion, Spider returns home to find Reisen's body being loaded into a van. Then Bulman turns up to save him from being drowned.
Directed by Ken GrieveWritten by Tim AspinallGuest stars Mark Dignam, Johnny Shannon, Brian Croucher, Oliver Maguire, Fiona Curzon, William Squire, Ron Pember, James Coyle
Episode 5
Spider is invited to sit on a prison enquiry board headed by a rich merchant banker. Bulman and Willis continue dogging his tracks, with Bulman becoming ever more distracted by the need to nick Spider.
Directed by Carol WilksWritten by Murray SmithGuest stars Mark Dignam, Oliver Maguire, Ronald Lewis, Jennifer Lonsdale, Barry Andrews, Glyn Houston, Derrick O'Connor, Brian Oulton
Episode 6
Caught up in a situation beyond his control, Spider finds that Quilter has been murdered and Bucket-Face Smith has vanished. Then he finds something nasty in the study.
Directed by Carol WilksWritten by Murray SmithGuest stars Mark Dignam, Ronald Lewis, Jennifer Lonsdale, Barry Andrews, Glyn Houston, Derrick O'Connor, Amanda Boxer, Ron Bain
Episode 7
A trail of corpses seems to follow Spider as he attempts to free himself from the situation he's been caught up in.
Directed by Carol WilksWritten by Murray SmithGuest stars Mark Dignam, Ronald Lewis, Barry Andrews, Glyn Houston, Derrick O'Connor, Paul Ridley, Alan Gaunt, Tessa Worsley
Episode 8
Imprisoned, Spider is involved in a conspiracy to spring himself and Norden. They succeed in breaking out of jail and Norden disappears, leaving behind a dead warden.
Directed by Alan GrintWritten by Edward BoydGuest stars Mark Dignam, Sarah Bullen, Peter Marinker, David Hargreaves, Garrick Hagon, Norman Jones, Chris Jenkinson, Martin Fisk
Episode 9
Bulman is hot on the trail of Spider, who finds himself in a hostage situation. The body count rises as two detectives are killed.
Directed by Alan GrintWritten by Edward BoydGuest stars Oliver Maguire, Sarah Bullen, Garrick Hagon, Norman Jones, Chris Jenkinson, Ted Morris, Ray Mort, John Price
Episode 10
Maggie bonds Spider out but, when he is released, he's sought once more to risk his life in order to capture a foreign agent.
Directed by Alan GrintWritten by Edward BoydGuest stars Sarah Bullen, David Hargreaves, Garrick Hagon, Norman Jones, Chris Jenkinson, Ruth Holden, John Jardine, Gordon Pleasant
Episode information updated Jul 26, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match The XYY Man.
Stephen YardleyWilliam 'Spider' Scott
Don HendersonDS George Bulman
Mark DignamFairfax
Paul FreemanRay Lynch
John WelshUndersecretary
Vivienne McKeeMaggie Parsons
Dennis BlanchDC Derek Willis
ITV1United Kingdom
Granada TelevisionUnited Kingdom
