Murdoch Mysteries is a Canadian mystery drama television series that began in 2008. The series is based on the Detective Murdoch novels by Maureen Jennings and is set in Toronto around the turn of the 20th century. It centres on William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), a detective at Station House Four, who solves crimes using scientific techniques and inventions which are highly advanced for the time (e.g. fingerprinting). He is assisted by Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), city coroner Doctor Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy) and Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig). The show was developed for television by R.B. Carney, Cal Coons and Alexandra Zarowny. It is produced by Shaftesbury Films.
The series was preceded by three television movies, which aired on Bravo! from 2004 to 2005. These featured a different cast: Peter Outerbridge as Murdoch, Keeley Hawes as Doctor Ogden, Matthew MacFadzean as Constable Crabtree and Colm Meaney as Inspector Brackenreid.[1]
Murdoch Mysteries aired on Citytv for five seasons before being cancelled.[2] It was then picked up by CBC, where it has aired since season six.[3] The show airs in the UK on Alibi and is co-produced by Alibi's parent company, UKTV. It has also aired in the United States on Ovation under the title The Artful Detective, but as of season twelve, has reverted to the original title. The United States premiered Season 14 on Ovation, starting February 20, 2021. Season 15 aired in the US on both Ovation and Acorn TV at the start of January 2022.[4]