Beauty and the Beast (1987)
The 1987 production "Beauty and the Beast" is considered one of the most original romantic-fantasy series in television history. Created by Ron Koslow, the show draws inspiration from the classic fairy tale but transports it into…
Overview
The 1987 production "Beauty and the Beast" is considered one of the most original romantic-fantasy series in television history. Created by Ron Koslow, the show draws inspiration from the classic fairy tale but transports it into an entirely distinctive universe, blending the dark streets of modern New York with a magical world hidden underground. The series aired on CBS during its time and quickly gained a cult following.
The production stars Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman in the lead roles. Hamilton plays Catherine Chandler, a strong and independent assistant district attorney, while Perlman brings to life Vincent, a character with lion-like physical features but an extraordinarily cultured, poetic, and deep soul. One of the names who contributed to the show's visual identity and atmosphere is Philip Waller, a member of the production team; his contributions significantly enhanced the believability of the underground world's visual texture.
"Beauty and the Beast" stands out not merely as a fantasy adventure series, but as a drama that explores the deepest aspects of human nature, dealing with themes of love, acceptance, difference, and social exclusion.
Plot
The story begins when Catherine Chandler, a successful assistant district attorney in New York, is attacked in an incident that changes her life forever. Left severely injured and helpless on the city's dark streets, Catherine is mysteriously rescued by a being named Vincent, who is half-human, half-lion in appearance. Vincent lives deep beneath the city, in a hidden underground community that sunlight never reaches, where outcasts, fugitives, and those rejected by society live together in solidarity.
The bond Catherine forms with Vincent during her recovery gradually transforms into a deep spiritual and emotional relationship. However, this relationship is constantly tested by the gulf between two different worlds—the fast-paced, dangerous, and unjust city life above ground, and the calm, poetic, and humane community below. A recurring dynamic emerges in which Catherine fights for justice above ground, while Vincent, through his supernatural strength and sensory bond with her, comes to her aid in moments of danger.
As the series progresses, the underground community's own rules, history, and characters are explored in depth. Vincent's origins, the wisdom of the community's leader, Father, and the secrets of the underground world enrich the story's fantastical layers.
Why Watch It?
"Beauty and the Beast" was a bold experiment in 1980s television production. By combining a classic fairy tale with a contemporary urban drama and crime elements, it offers a synthesis across genres. One of the series' greatest strengths is that it never loses its emotional authenticity even while employing fantastical elements.
Ron Perlman's performance as Vincent carries an incredible emotional depth even under heavy makeup; the character's poetic dialogue and philosophical outlook invite the viewer to reflect. Linda Hamilton, meanwhile, transforms Catherine from a clichéd "damsel in distress" into a character who continually demonstrates her own strength and determination.
The series' atmosphere is also a compelling reason to watch. The visual contrast between the underground world's warm, candlelit, book-filled spaces and the city's cold, dangerous streets powerfully reflects the story's thematic conflict.
Who Is It For?
This series is ideal for those who love stories that blend classic romance with fantastical elements. Viewers who can emotionally connect with the theme of "acceptance of the different" will also find a compelling narrative that speaks to them. It offers a satisfying experience for viewers who feel nostalgic about 1980s television aesthetics as well.
Those who enjoy character-driven, emotionally rich stories rather than fast-paced, action-heavy productions will appreciate this series. It is also a fitting choice for viewers who enjoy crime elements but are also looking for a fantastical love story alongside them.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Unforgettable performances with strong chemistry from Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton
2. A creative narrative structure that transforms a classic fairy tale into an original urban drama format
3. The atmospheric, warm, and enchanting visual design of the underground world
Cons:
1. Due to the technical limitations of the era, some visual effects appear dated by today's standards
2. Some episodes progress slowly in pace and contain repetitive narrative patterns
Genre and Tone
The series combines the genres of fantasy drama, romance, and crime. Its tone is generally melancholic, poetic, and emotional, occasionally balanced by elements of tension and action. The philosophical and literary references concentrated in Vincent's character give the series an intellectual layer. At the same time, the themes of crime and justice explored through Catherine's life above ground help ground the series in a more realistic setting.
Runtime and Viewing Experience
The series aired for three seasons, with each episode running approximately 45-48 minutes. While episodes generally revolve around self-contained events, the development of the relationship between Catherine and Vincent, along with the overarching story of the underground community, maintains continuity throughout the seasons. Viewers experience both episodic satisfaction and a long-form emotional journey. As a classic period production, it should be noted that it proceeds at a calmer pace compared to today's series.
Similar Productions
- Angel (1999) – A drama blending supernatural elements with a dark urban atmosphere
- Forever Knight (1992) – Another cult production combining city life with fantastical/supernatural themes
- The X-Files (1993) – A classic series blending mystery and supernatural elements with crime storytelling
- Moonlight (2007) – An atmospheric production combining romantic and supernatural themes
- Sleepy Hollow (2013) – A production presenting fantastical elements within a modern urban drama
- Grimm (2011) – A contemporary example combining fairy-tale elements with crime storytelling
Final Verdict
"Beauty and the Beast" (1987) is a production that stretched the boundaries between genres in television history, leaving its mark through emotional depth and a distinctive atmosphere. The performances of Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton stand out as one of the series' greatest strengths, while the visual and atmospheric design of the underground world offers an unforgettable aesthetic. Although some of its technical aspects have dated by today's standards, it still delivers a powerful viewing experience thanks to the universal themes it explores—love, acceptance, and difference. It is a valuable production that left its mark on the television of its era, and one that fans of classic fantasy romance absolutely must discover.
Details
Cast (398)
Sezonlar
Gelince haber ver
1987 
1988 
1989 Sezon 1 · 22 bölüm
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Once Upon a Time in the City of New York
· 25.09.1987
· 47 dk
Street savvy Assistant DA Catherine Chandler hails from a rich family and works for her father’s law firm. After leaving a party early, she’s mistaken for someo…
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Terrible Savior
· 02.10.1987
· 47 dk
A subway slasher that kills with claws and leaves the victims looking as if they were mauled by a bear is on the prowl. When Catherine learns about the case, sh…
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Siege
· 09.10.1987
· 47 dk
Vincent helps the residents of an apartment building defend themselves from thugs trying to chase them out so the building can be torn down—unaware the mastermi…
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No Way Down
· 16.10.1987
· 47 dk
Upon being injured in an explosion, a half-blind Vincent is captured by a vicious street gang. Catherine, with the help of her self-defense teacher Isaac, set o…
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Masques
· 30.10.1987
· 47 dk
Able to blend in among 'The World Above' on Halloween, Vincent becomes the guardian of an Irish peace activist targeted for assassination.
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Beast Within
· 06.11.1987
· 47 dk
Catherine has a nearly fatal confrontation with an ex-tunnel dweller, named Mitch Denton.
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Nor Iron Bars a Cage
· 13.11.1987
· 47 dk
After Vincent is accidentally caught on film. he is captured by two men. One, Dr. Edward Hughes, is a scientist desperate to learn the truth about Vincent. The …
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Song of Orpheus
· 20.11.1987
· 47 dk
When Father ventures to 'The World Above' for the first time in decades, he is arrested for murder. Catherine and Vincent must dive into Father's past—where the…
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Dark Spirit
· 27.11.1987
· 47 dk
While investigating a businessman's mysterious death, Catherine becomes a target for a mysterious voodoo cult, who makes her see and experience terrifying hallu…
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A Children's Story
· 04.12.1987
· 47 dk
Catherine learns that renowned orphanage Ridley Foster Home holds a dark secret: selling orphaned children to criminals who force them to steal. She saves one s…
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An Impossible Silence
· 18.12.1987
· 47 dk
Upon witnessing a shooting, deaf Laura Williams must decide if she should leave the sanctuary of 'The World Below' to free an innocent man. While Catherine is i…
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Shades of Gray
· 08.01.1988
· 47 dk
'The World Below' shun Mouse for his acts of thievery, until they need him and his mechanical and engineering intelligence to help rescue Father and Vincent fol…
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China Moon
· 15.01.1988
· 47 dk
Chinatown is the setting of a 'Romeo and Juliet'-like story of a woman who is friends with Vincent and who has fallen in love with one man, but—through an arran…
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The Alchemist
· 22.01.1988
· 47 dk
Catherine believes a deadly new hallucinatory drug on the street is supplied by someone from 'The World Below'. Catherine, Vincent and Father discover Father's …
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Temptation
· 05.02.1988
· 47 dk
Joe spearheads the investigation of a major firm, so the firm's attorney begins using dirty tactics to derail Joe, and Catherine discovers that Joe's new girlfr…
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Promises of Someday
· 12.02.1988
· 47 dk
New Assistant DA Devin Wells turns out to be Vincent's long-lost childhood friend from 'The World Below'. His vagabond way of life began after a falling-out wit…
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Down to a Sunless Sea
· 19.02.1988
· 47 dk
Vincent has foreboding dreams when Catherine's ex-fiancé Steven Bass returns, and with good reason: Catherine is barely aware Steven—whose parents are now dead …
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Fever
· 26.02.1988
· 47 dk
A necklace Mouse gifts Catherine turns out to be made of antique gold, found in a buried ship Mouse discovered by accident deep in 'The World Below'. When he sh…
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Everything Is Everything
· 04.03.1988
· 47 dk
Vincent and Catherine become involved with a gypsy boy banished from his tribe because of a crime his father allegedly committed and who claims that his father …
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To Reign in Hell
· 18.03.1988
· 47 dk
Catherine receives an unexpected visitor on her balcony: Paracelsus's minion Erlik, who captures her in a plot to lure Vincent to the lower parts of 'The World …
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Ozymandias
· 01.04.1988
· 47 dk
Burch's great construction project "Burch Tower" threatens the existence of 'The World Below', and Catherine agrees to marry him if he will halt construction.
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A Happy Life
· 08.04.1988
· 47 dk
Depressed on the anniversary of her mother's death, Catherine struggles emotionally between her relationship with Vincent and her working life, enough so that V…
Sezon 2 · 22 bölüm
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Chamber Music
· 18.11.1988
· 47 dk
After enjoying a park performance of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony joyously with Catherine, Vincent discovers Rollie, a former resident of 'The World Below', o…
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Remember Love
· 25.11.1988
· 47 dk
Catherine longs for Vincent to escort her to a secret hidden, childhood place in Connecticut. Yet Vincent realizes that there is too much danger if he were to v…
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Ashes, Ashes
· 02.12.1988
· 47 dk
Vincent rescues sailor Dimitri Benko from drowning and brings him to 'The World Below' to recuperate. Little does anyone know, Dimitri is carrying the pneumonic…
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Dead of Winter
· 09.12.1988
· 47 dk
'The World Below' plans an annual winter event called Winterfest with Catherine and the other 'Helpers', unaware that Paracelsus schemes to crash the party. Cat…
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God Bless the Child
· 16.12.1988
· 47 dk
Catherine convinces Vincent and Father to welcome pregnant former prostitute Lena to 'The World Below' where she can have her baby and be part of the community,…
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Sticks and Stones
· 06.01.1989
· 47 dk
Deaf Laura Williams now lives in surface New York but backs away as a helper for 'The World Below' when she falls in with a gang of young, angry deaf people who…
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A Fair and Perfect Knight
· 13.01.1989
· 47 dk
Catherine befriends and takes in young Michael Richmond, who's lived in 'The World Below' since childhood but now begins college in the city. However, the revel…
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Labyrinths
· 20.01.1989
· 47 dk
Brian, a D&D obsessed teen who lives in Catherine's apartment building, inadvertently discovers 'The World Below' while seeking refuge from his divorced parents…
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Brothers
· 03.02.1989
· 47 dk
Devin Wells returns to 'The World Below' with Charles, a deformed man with Proteus syndrome who seeks sanctuary from his abusive brother while escaping from a c…
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A Gentle Rain
· 17.02.1989
· 47 dk
A resident of 'The World Below' named Kanin—about to celebrate his first wedding anniversary below—is recognized by a woman in 'The World Above' as the driver w…
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The Outsiders
· 24.02.1989
· 47 dk
When a group of homeless people find their way into 'The World Below', Father decides to welcome them. Vincent is wary as it seems that the indigents are violen…
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Orphans
· 06.03.1989
· 47 dk
When Catherine's father dies of a stroke, she retreats to 'The World Below' to grieve. She asks Vincent to let her stay with him and not return to 'The World Ab…
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Arabesque
· 13.03.1989
· 47 dk
Former 'World Below' resident Lisa Campbell – now a world-famous ballerina — returns to the tunnels for refuge, desperate not to testify against her controlling…
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When the Bluebird Sings
· 31.03.1989
· 47 dk
Eccentric young artist Kristopher Gentian keeps appears in Catherine's life after meeting her in a bookstore—including near a tunnel entrance where he sees Vinc…
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The Watcher
· 07.04.1989
· 47 dk
On the night of their second anniversary, Catherine and Vincent are unnerved to think a stalker claims to have seen Vincent, which he reiterates in a frightenin…
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A Distant Shore
· 14.04.1989
· 47 dk
Catherine travels to California as part of an investigation for the New York office. She and Vincent discover just how strong their bond is when Vincent is able…
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Trial
· 21.04.1989
· 47 dk
Catherine and Joe are on a case involving a high-powered Wall Street celebrity whose child abuse resulted in the death of his son. Catherine is named prosecutor…
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A Kingdom by the Sea
· 28.04.1989
· 47 dk
The CIA pushes Catherine and Joe off investigating the murder of an old man who proves to be the father of Burch—whose shady dealings in Central America have pu…
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The Hollow Men
· 05.05.1989
· 47 dk
Two rich kids have been targeting and murdering prostitutes for fun. Late one night, Vincent witnesses their latest murder but is unable to stop them. Catherine…
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What Rough Beast
· 12.05.1989
· 47 dk
Catherine is attacked in rhe park by two men disguised as police officers. Vincent comes to her rescue, only for it to be a set-up created by a shadowy figure w…
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Ceremony of Innocence
· 19.05.1989
· 47 dk
In the aftermath of Spirko's death, Burch and Catherine set out to find the man who hired his killer—unaware the killer is Paracelsus, who fatally stabbed Spirk…
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The Rest Is Silence
· 02.06.1989
· 47 dk
Following Paracelsus's death, and Father's revelation of the truth about his abandonment and adoption, Vincent comes to terms that the beast within is causing h…
Sezon 3 · 12 bölüm
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Though Lovers Be Lost... (1)
· 12.12.1989
· 47 dk
After recovering from his violent madness, Vincent finds himself unable to sense when Catherine is in danger. When an explosion lands Joe in the hospital, Cathe…
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Though Lovers Be Lost... (2)
· 12.12.1989
· 47 dk
As Catherine's pregnancy begins its final phase, Vincent detects his child's presence, which leads him to the dying Catherine—injected with a fatal drug dose—an…
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Walk Slowly
· 13.12.1989
· 47 dk
Vincent takes Catherine from the rooftop back to her apartment. He lays her on her bed. He stays with her until the morning just watching over her. The D.A. fin…
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Nevermore
· 20.12.1989
· 47 dk
Vincent begins his quest to find his captive son and makes his first move by revealing himself to Elliot. Meanwhile, Diana is more immersed in Catherine's life …
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Snow
· 27.12.1989
· 47 dk
Vincent is haunted by dreams of heavily-snowing winter, and no wonder: Gabriel sends an assassin named Snow to eliminate him, leading him to lead Snow away from…
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Beggar's Comet
· 03.01.1990
· 47 dk
Vincent plans to leave "The World Below" to keep its inhabitants from being targeted by Gabriel's men. Elliot befriends a street saxophonist who gives him infor…
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A Time to Heal
· 10.01.1990
· 47 dk
Diana notices things in Catherine's apartment that have Vincent's name on them. She begins to realize that Vincent was her lover and probably the father of her …
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The Chimes at Midnight
· 17.01.1990
· 47 dk
Diana flees from Gabriel's goons. Vincent surrenders himself to Gabriel and is locked in a cage. To torment Vincent Gabriel begins to show him footage of when h…
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Invictus
· 24.01.1990
· 47 dk
Vincent breaks free and is barely in time when he burst through the door of the nursery where Gabriel is getting ready to suffocate the baby. Vincent attacks hi…
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In the Forests of the Night
· 21.07.1990
· 47 dk
Rolley is shot while trying to rob a liquor store. He then returns below. Vincent destroys Gabriel's drug house. Vincent entrusts Snow's ring to Diana.
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The Reckoning
· 28.07.1990
· 47 dk
Father recieves a letter from an old flame and goes above to see her. The woman's name was Jessica. Father even considers staying above permanently. Helpers are…
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Legacies
· 04.08.1990
· 47 dk
The son of a past cave-in victim wants revenge on Father. He tries to bury him alive.
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