Saw this season one on crackle
Based on a series of novels by Jim Butcher, the weekly, hour-long Sci Fi Channel series The Dresden Files starred former 24 regular Paul Blackthorne as Harry Dresden, a Chicago-based private eye with a unique gift. Put simply, Harry was a genuine, bona-fide wizard--indeed, the only wizard who advertised in the Yellow Pages. Blessed (?) with the ability to cast spells, mix potions, fortell the future and alter fate--at least within the limits set down by the High Council of Wizards--Harry put his talents to practical use by investigating crime cases involving the paranormal, for a fee of 500 bucks a day plus expenses for those who could afford his services, but occasionally working gratis for needy souls who'd been caught in the crossfire of the Black Arts. Harry's chief assistant and spiritual adviser (in every sense of the word) was Bob (Terrence Mann), a misplaced ghost who was doomed to walk the earth for all eternity--and apparently, to dredge up clues and follow leads. Also on hand was cyical Chicago cop Connie Murphy (Valerie Cruz), who, though she suspected Harry of being a charlatan, begrudgingly called upon his services whenever she was up against an "unusual" case. Debuting January 12, 2007, The Dresden Files was originally conceived as a theatrical feature, but was converted into a weekly TV show after the release of another, similar film, Constantine.
Main cast [edit]
- Paul Blackthorne as Harry Dresden – a reluctant hero, a professional wizard who often helps the police with cases involving "unusual" circumstances and others who seek his help. Harry's mother Burdine Dresden, a powerful witch, died when he was young. He was raised by his father, a stage magician. When he was about eleven, his powers began to emerge, and his uncle Justin Morningway wanted to take him and teach him about his abilities, so he murdered Harry's father with black magic when his father did not relinquish Harry to him. Bob makes reference to Harry "self-defensing" his uncle to death. Justin Morningway left a programmed doppelgänger behind to resurrect him if he died. It is later revealed Harry inherited a large amount of money that he gave to charity and owns the Morningway estate, in which he refuses to live.
- Valerie Cruz as Lt. Connie Murphy – the Chicago police officer who often seeks out Harry's help with cases that are hard to solve and may be supernaturally related — although she refuses to outright believe in magic, because such things do not fit with her "rules." She is dedicated and takes her job seriously, even going as far as seeking out the only wizard in the phonebook to help with cases. Lt. Murphy is a tough, no-nonsense woman who is divorced and has a daughter (Anna) who she says spends a lot of time with her father because of the long hours she has to work. Connie apparently has some romantic feelings toward Harry. She pointed out at the end of season one that if he kissed her again, she wouldn't slap him.
- Terrence Mann as Hrothbert "Bob" of Bainbridge – the old spirit owned by Dresden. He was once owned by Dresden's uncle, Justin Morningway, before Dresden "self-defensed" him to death. He advises Dresden on both personal and magical matters. Bob is an invaluable source of knowledge which Dresden taps to solve supernatural crimes. In the first episode, Bob is seen redesigning a "Doom Box," which he describes as "a supernatural jack-in-the-box" containing and amplifying magical energy. The original Doom Box formula was included in a grimoire Bob wrote while he was alive; the book had been in Justin's possession until Harry burned it. Bob's current state is a punishment: he was executed, his soul sealed into his own skull for all eternity, for using black magic to bring a sorceress he had loved (Winnifred) back from the dead several hundred years ago. Bob died from an axe blow to the back of the head in the year 900 AD.
- Conrad Coates as Warden Donald Morgan – a Warden of the High Council, the governing body of the wizarding community, and is assigned to the Chicago area. He is a stickler for the rules, powerful, and will often confront Harry because of their differing ideals and personalities; nonetheless, he will often work with Harry - albeit under the table - where innocents are involved.
- Raoul Bhaneja as Det. Sid Kirmani - an original character who appears to be an amalgamation of all the skeptical detectives who doubted Harry in the novels. A sarcastic cop who is deeply suspicious of Dresden, Kirmani often functions as Murphy's partner, or lead detective, and more than once has implicated Dresden to be guilty of the crimes he is investigating, more than once arresting the wizard simply due to the crime being otherwise unexplainable.
Season1 on TV