The Protectors was created and produced by Gerry Anderson as an ITV live-action series. Starring Robert Vaughn from "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", Nyree Dawn Porter (The Forsyte Saga) and Tony Anholt. Three inexplicably affluent international private detectives/troubleshooters who were charged with ensuring the protection of innocents. They belonged to an organization called The Protectors and were based in London. Harry Rule lead the group, The Contessa lived in Italy (when she wasn't working with Harry); She ran her own detective agency that specialized in exposing art frauds and recovering stolen art. Paul Buchet worked out of Paris, and was the group's researcher and gadget specialist. Adventures ranged from simple kidnapping to convoluted cases of international intrigue.