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Entertainment • Television

The A-Team

The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series that aired on NBC from 1983 to 1987.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series that aired on NBC from 1983 to 1987. Created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo, it follows four former U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers who were falsely accused of a crime, escaped military prison, and help people as fugitives and soldiers of fortune.

Premise

The series follows a group of former soldiers who become fugitives after a wrongful conviction. While on the run, they assist people in need, usually through action-heavy, mission-based stories.

Production and broadcast history

The A-Team was created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo and produced for NBC by Universal Television and Stephen J. Cannell Productions. It aired from 1983 to 1987.

Main characters

The team is led by Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith and also includes Templeton "Face" Peck, B. A. Baracus, and H. M. Murdock. These characters are the focus of the series' ensemble format.

Legacy and adaptation

The series became one of the best-known American action shows of the 1980s. A film version based on the television series was released by 20th Century Fox in 2010.

Key facts

  • The series centers on four ex–U.S. Army Special Forces commandos.
  • The team is falsely convicted of a crime and escapes from military custody.
  • They work as hired help while remaining wanted by the government.
  • The show originally aired for five seasons on NBC.
  • A feature film adaptation was released in 2010.
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Canadian context

The series was widely broadcast in Canada and remains a familiar example of 1980s American television for Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is The A-Team?
The A-Team is an American action-adventure television series about four former soldiers who become fugitives and help people as hired helpers.
When did The A-Team air?
It aired on NBC from January 23, 1983, to March 8, 1987.
Who created The A-Team?
The series was created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are Hannibal Smith, Face, B. A. Baracus, and Murdock.
Was there a film adaptation?
Yes. A feature film based on the series was released in 2010.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A-Team
    Supports: Series premise, creators, main characters, original network, run, and production companies.
  2. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/culture-magazines/team
    Supports: Broad overview of the show, its action-adventure format, and NBC run from 1983 to 1987.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_A-Team_(film)
    Supports: 2010 feature film adaptation based on the television series.