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Entertainment • TV Series

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow is an American supernatural drama television series that aired on Fox from 2013 to 2017.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sleepy Hollow is an American supernatural drama television series that aired on Fox from 2013 to 2017. It is a modern retelling of Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” following Ichabod Crane and Detective Abbie Mills as they confront supernatural threats in present-day Sleepy Hollow, New York. The series ran for four seasons and 62 episodes.

Premise

The series reimagines Ichabod Crane as a man pulled into the present day after being resurrected from the Revolutionary War era. He teams up with police lieutenant Abbie Mills to stop supernatural forces threatening the world.

Production and broadcast

Sleepy Hollow was created by Phillip Iscove, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci and premiered on Fox in 2013. It concluded in 2017 after four seasons.

Source material

The show is loosely based on Irving’s 1820 story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” while also borrowing from other Irving material such as “Rip Van Winkle.” Its tone and plot expand far beyond the original tale.

Setting and characters

The series begins in a fictionalized version of Sleepy Hollow, New York, before later moving to Washington, D.C. Its main characters include Ichabod Crane, Abbie Mills, and the Headless Horseman.

Key facts

  • The series is a loose, modern adaptation of Washington Irving’s short story.
  • It centers on Ichabod Crane, who awakens 250 years in the future.
  • Abbie Mills becomes Crane’s ally as they investigate supernatural events.
  • The Headless Horseman is a central antagonist linked to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
  • The first three seasons are set in Sleepy Hollow, New York; the fourth season shifts to Washington, D.C.
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Canadian context

The series aired internationally in Canada through streaming and television distribution, and it remains available in some Canadian streaming libraries depending on licensing.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sleepy Hollow?
Sleepy Hollow is a US supernatural drama television series that aired on Fox from 2013 to 2017.
What is Sleepy Hollow based on?
It is loosely based on Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
How many seasons did Sleepy Hollow have?
The series had four seasons.
How many episodes are there?
The series ran for 62 episodes.
Who created Sleepy Hollow?
The series was created by Phillip Iscove, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci.
Where was the series set?
It begins in Sleepy Hollow, New York, and the fourth season moves the story to Washington, D.C.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2647544/
    Supports: Series title, premise, source inspiration
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepy_Hollow_(TV_series)
    Supports: Original run, genre, creators, season count, episode count, setting changes
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70281577
    Supports: Premise, creators, cast, release year
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/sleepy-hollow/1030381462/
    Supports: Run dates, season count, genre
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/sleepy-hollow
    Supports: Premise, network, premiere date, rating