Fox's '80s Werewolf Series Captivated Horror Fans

The short-lived show blended elements of "The Incredible Hulk" and "The Fugitive" into a unique supernatural thriller.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Werewolf, which aired on the fledgling Fox network in 1987-1988, followed the story of Eric Cord, a young man cursed to transform into a werewolf after being attacked. Cord is on the run, both from a bounty hunter and his own lycanthropic alter ego, as he searches for the lead werewolf he must kill to break the curse. Despite being canceled after just two seasons, the series left a lasting impression with its impressive practical effects by legendary makeup artist Rick Baker.

Why it matters

Werewolf was an ambitious attempt by the new Fox network to bring horror to television in the 1980s, a decade dominated by slasher films. While short-lived, the series demonstrated the potential for supernatural thrillers on the small screen and paved the way for future horror-tinged shows.

The details

Werewolf combined the concepts of The Incredible Hulk and The Fugitive, with protagonist Eric Cord (played by John J. York) struggling to control his werewolf transformations while evading both a bounty hunter and the lead werewolf he must kill to break his curse. The series featured impressive practical effects from makeup legend Rick Baker, who created three different werewolf costumes at a cost of $500,000 each. However, the show was hampered by the limited involvement of its original villain, Chuck Connors, who only appeared in four of the 29 episodes.

  • Werewolf premiered as a two-hour event in July 1987.
  • The series aired for two short seasons before being canceled in 1988.

The players

Eric Cord

The protagonist, a young man cursed to transform into a werewolf after being attacked.

Janos Skorzeny

The original lead werewolf villain, played by Chuck Connors in a limited role.

Joe Rogan

A bounty hunter tracking down Eric Cord, who is wanted for a murder he didn't commit.

Rick Baker

The legendary makeup effects artist who created the impressive werewolf costumes and transformations for the series.

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What they’re saying

“Werewolf had a premise which might have seemed over-the-top in 1987, but it did have something going for it.”

— Alan Cole, Script editor for Werewolf (Alan Cole's blog)

“Connors had done a damned good job of portraying an evil, scary, villain with no moral compunctions whatsoever.”

— Alan Cole, Script editor for Werewolf (Alan Cole's blog)

What’s next

Fans of the series have long hoped for a revival or continuation that could provide the resolution they never got, but no such plans have been announced.

The takeaway

While Werewolf was canceled before its time, the series demonstrated the potential for horror on television and left a lasting impression with its unique blend of genres and impressive practical effects. It remains a cult favorite for 1980s genre fans.