On September 17, 1966, Mission: Impossible premiered on CBS at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, introducing viewers to the elaborate operations of the Impossible Missions Force. Created by Bruce Geller, the series began with “Pilot,” a script written by Geller himself—the only episode of the original series he personally wrote.
The premiere established the series’ defining formula: a specialized team assembled for a seemingly impossible assignment, then guided through meticulous planning, disguises, gadgets, infiltration, and calculated deception. Steven Hill led the original team as Dan Briggs, with Martin Landau as master impersonator Rollin Hand. Rather than relying chiefly on a lone hero or simple shootouts, the show made collaboration and strategy central to its suspense.
Lalo Schifrin’s unforgettable theme and the burning-fuse opening quickly became signatures of the series. Together with the self-destructing mission recordings, they gave Mission: Impossible a distinctive identity and helped turn the mechanics of a complex operation into weekly television drama.
The original series ultimately ran for seven seasons, from 1966 to 1973, and won 10 Primetime Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Drama Series. Its successful blend of ensemble problem-solving, elaborate cons, and high-stakes espionage made it one of the most influential adventure dramas of its era—and the foundation for a franchise that has endured for decades.
Image of Steven Hill & Martin Landau in Mission: Impossible via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
