The Cleaner is an American television drama series created by Jonathan Prince and Robert Munic about a recovering drug addict who makes a promise to God when his daughter is born that he will end his drug abuse and help others end their addictions to sex, drugs, alcohol and gambling.
The show is loosely based on the life of Warren Boyd who, as an addictions counselor, has helped such people as Mel Gibson, Courtney Love and Whitney Houston.
The series aired in the USA on A&E from 15 July, 2008 to 15 September, 2009. There are 26 episodes in two seasons.
The Cleaner originally aired in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Series channel from 8 July, 2009 to 24 January, 2011. It later aired on SABC1 (Season 1 only) and SABC3 (Season 2 only). See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on SABC3 on Monday 8 April 2013, at 22h30. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are 13 episodes in the second and final season.
Synopsis
Inspired by the true story of real life "extreme interventionist" Warren Boyd, who also co-executive produces the series, The Cleaner stars Benjamin Bratt as William Banks, a recovering addict who must balance his unwavering dedication to helping others get clean with an increasingly rocky personal life and the ghosts of his addictions.
Banks and his teammates Akani Cuesta (Grace Park) and Arnie Swenton (Esteban Powell) employ an unconventional - and often by any means necessary - approach to getting addicts and those who surround them to realize they've reached rock-bottom and help them begin the process of recovery.
With every success and failure, William wrestles with his commitment to his work and his love for his wife Melissa (Amy Price-Francis) and their children through an unusual relationship with God.
Seasons
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 8 Jul 2009 | Finale: 30 Sep 2009 | Wednesdays, 22h00
Channel: SABC1 | Premiere: 21 Jun 2011 | Finale: 13 Sep 2011 | Tuesdays, 22h00
Season 2 (13 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Series | Premiere: 1 Nov 2010 | Finale: 24 Jan 2011 | Mondays, 20h30
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 8 Apr 2013 | Finale: 8 Jul 2013 | Mondays, 22h30