The high-stakes world of espionage and hidden identities arrives in Bulgaria as the hit American series The Old Man makes its exclusive debut on bTV Action. Starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, the series promises a gripping narrative where the past refuses to stay buried and every secret comes with a steep price.
The show officially premiered for Bulgarian audiences on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 according to local television news reports. Viewers can tune in every weekday evening at 21:00 to follow the complex cat-and-mouse game played between two formidable characters whose fates are inextricably linked.
Based on the bestselling novel by Thomas Perry, the series centers on Dan Chase, a retired CIA operative who has spent years living in total isolation. Now residing in a small town in Vermont with his two Rottweilers, Chase believes he has successfully escaped his former life and the demons that accompany it.
Still, the peace of his secluded existence is shattered when he becomes the target of a relentless pursuit. The tension escalates as Harold Harper, a high-ranking FBI official, begins searching for Chase “under every rock and tree,” leading to a collision course between the former spy and the law enforcement officer.
The Dynamic Between Dan Chase and Harold Harper
At the heart of the series is the intense relationship between Jeff Bridges’ Dan Chase and John Lithgow’s Harold Harper. While Chase represents the ghost of the intelligence community—a man who knows how to disappear and survive in the shadows—Harper represents the institutional power of the FBI, determined to uncover the truth behind Chase’s disappearance.
The plot explores the psychological toll of a life spent in secrecy. Chase’s isolation in Vermont is not merely a choice of lifestyle but a calculated survival strategy. As the FBI closes in, the series delves into the “price of secrets,” suggesting that no matter how far one runs, the consequences of past actions eventually catch up.
Plot Details and Setting
The narrative primarily unfolds in the state of Vermont, where the quiet, rural landscape serves as a stark contrast to the violent and chaotic world of international espionage. This setting emphasizes Chase’s attempt to find sanctuary in a place far removed from the bureaucratic machinery of Washington D.C. And the CIA.
The series is described as a “total American hit,” blending elements of a psychological thriller with the pacing of an action-drama. By focusing on the aging process of its protagonists, the show adds a layer of vulnerability to the characters, questioning if their decades of experience are enough to outmaneuver the modern surveillance state.
Broadcast Schedule for Bulgarian Viewers
For those looking to follow the series in Bulgaria, the broadcast is handled exclusively by bTV Action. The episodes are scheduled to air every weekday evening starting at 21:00, providing a consistent nightly appointment for fans of the genre.
The exclusive premiere on April 14 marks the first time the series has been available to the Bulgarian public on this network. Given the pedigree of the lead actors and the success of the original novel, the series is expected to draw significant viewership across the region via bTV Media Group.
Key Takeaways for Viewers
- Lead Actors: Jeff Bridges (Dan Chase) and John Lithgow (Harold Harper).
- Source Material: Based on the bestseller by Thomas Perry.
- Bulgarian Premiere: April 14, 2026, on bTV Action.
- Air Time: Weeknights at 21:00.
- Core Theme: The impossibility of escaping one’s past and the cost of intelligence secrets.
As the episodes continue to air, viewers will see how the pursuit by Harold Harper unravels the carefully constructed life of Dan Chase, revealing the secrets that forced him into hiding in the first place.
The next scheduled episodes will continue to air every weekday evening at 21:00 on bTV Action. We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the series and discuss the tension between Chase and Harper in the comments below.