The Beast is an American crime drama television series created by Vincent Angell and William Rotko about an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran who takes on a rookie partner and trains him in a hard-edged, psychologically driven approach towards undercover work.
The series aired in the USA on A&E from 15 January to 23 April, 2009. There are 13 hour-long episodes in one season. It was Patrick Swayze's final acting performance and was cancelled due to his pancreatic cancer.
The Beast originally aired in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Action channel from 12 August to 4 November, 2010, on Thursdays at 19h00. New episodes broadcast weekly. The series later aired on SABC1 and on SABC3. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
The series premiered on SABC3 on Friday 10 May 2013, at 21h30. New episodes broadcast weekly.
Synopsis
The Beast, starring Patrick Swayze and Travis Fimmel, centers on an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran, Charles Barker (Swayze), who takes on a rookie partner, Ellis Dove (Fimmel).
Barker trains Dove in a hard-edged, psychologically driven approach towards undercover work, where a moment's hesitation can lead to death.
In the premiere episode of The Beast, the mischievous Barker hazes Dove as they go undercover on their first case to infiltrate a weapons smuggling ring.
Barker brilliantly manipulates situations, constantly tests his new partner's abilities and pushes him to delve deeper into the roles of the undercover characters he creates.
Although Dove takes a liking to Barker, the new job takes its toll on him. The stress and danger of being an agent quickly makes him realise that he can no longer maintain normal relationships outside of work.
Yet that's not the worst of it. The rookie is confronted with a larger challenge: An FBI Internal Affairs team feels Barker may have gone rogue and they try to enlist Dove as a double-agent in the bureau's investigation of his mentor.
The Beast is produced by Sony Pictures Television for A&E Network.
Seasons
Season 1 (13 episodes)
Channel: M-Net Action | Premiere: 12 Aug 2010 | Finale: 4 Nov 2010 | Thursdays, 19h00
Channel: SABC1 | Premiere: 3 Jan 2012 | Finale: 3 Apr 2012 | Tuesdays, 22h00
Channel: SABC3 | Premiere: 10 May 2013 | Finale: 2 Aug 2013 | Fridays, 21h30