Here's information about a number of Canadian television one-hour dramas from the 1990s (and now the 2000s!) that are either currently in production or at least still airing occasionally in the U.S. or Canada. Some of them are my personal favorites; a few are ones I've never even seen. My two favorite shows are at the top, followed by the others in alphabetical order.
This page features shows that are made primarily for the Canadian market, although an increasing number of them are being picked up by U.S. broadcast and cable networks. Information about made-for-export shows such as "Stargate: Atlantis" is readily available elsewhere. I've also decided to focus on shows that recognizably take place in Canada (even if the town is fictional), rather than those that are indeterminate--or fake American--in their settings. But I'm not entirely consistent about those rules, so feel free to drop me a note if you think I've overlooked a show that deserves to be listed here.
I've included schedule information for both Canada and the U.S. where I know about it. Please let me know about any airings I've overlooked.
Hot News!
March 8, 2010 - I'm way behind on updates again, so let's get right to them:
Season 3 of "Murdoch Mysteries" begins next Sunday, March 14, on CITY TV. Each episode will repeat the following Friday. CTV's new police drama "The Bridge" premiered last Friday. It will also air eventually (maybe this summer?) on CBS. A new drama set in Newfoundland, "Republic of Doyle," started on CBC recently. It airs on Wednesday nights. I've heard that it's a fun, lighthearted drama. Guest stars have included Ian Tracey, Gordon Pinsent, and Nicholas Campbell. CBC has already announced that there will be a second season. CBC has cancelled "The Border" after three seasons, which does not make me happy. "The Guard" is now airing on ION TV. No word yet on when "The Border" will start. ION is also still airing "Durham County." November 22, 2009 - The Canadian supernatural drama "The Listener" has been renewed for a second season. So far, it's only certain to be aired in Canada and some international markets; no word on a new home for it in the U.S. after NBC dropped it.
NBC is interested in the two-hour pilot for a possible series called "The Mountain." It's being produced by Canadian company Muse Entertainment and filmed in Quebec. Muse also produces the series "Durham County," which recently began filming its third season.
September 16, 2009 - Well, as you've undoubtedly noticed, this isn't exactly the place to find breaking news. :-) I'm not going to claim that I'm going to start spending more time keeping this page up to date than I have in the past months, but I hope you still find some useful information here.
I'm guessing that the first thing you want to know is when your favorite show will return, so here are some premiere dates:
Being Erica (CBC): Sept. 22 The Border (CBC): Oct. 8 Flashpoint (CTV): Sept. 25 Heartland (CBC): Oct. 4 The Guard (Global): Oct. 23 Coming up later this season is Copper, about five rookie cops. The Toronto-based series will follow in the footsteps of Flashpoint and The Listener by airing in both Canada (on Global) and the U.S. (on ABC). No airdates have been announced yet, but it will likely begin midseason. Variety had an article about ABC's purchase of the series, and you can also read press releases from Global and ABC.
Another Canadian/American crossover will be The Bridge. CTV will carry the show in Canada, and CBS in the States. Here's a press release about the show, and another one about the start of filming. The head writer for the series is Alan Di Fiore, formerly of Da Vinci's Inquest, so we should be in for some good television.
More and more Canadian series are finding a second life in the United States. Here's news about three Canadian dramas that have been airing solely in Canada for a year or more, but are just now drifting southward. You can find more information about these shows in the alphabetical listings on this page.
Durham County began airing in the States on ION Television in early September. ION has given the show a major publicity push, so I hope it does well. You can read more on ION's website. The Guard has also been picked up by ION, but no airdate has been announced yet. The press release that came out in February said "later this year." I wonder though, now that ION has begun its fall schedule, whether The Guard might not show up until midseason (January). The Border will also air on ION at some point. I've seen this series and it's terrific, so I'm very happy that other Americans will have the chance to view it. You can read more about it in the press release mentioned above for The Guard. I also just discovered that Sleuth (a U.S. cable/satellite channel) has been airing Eleventh Hour. What threw me off is that they renamed it Bury the Lead, probably to avoid confusion with the series that ran on CBS in the 2008-2009 season.
The Shows
North of 60
My "North of 60" site
A richly textured Canadian series about life in a small native village in the Northwest Territories, North of 60 originally aired on CBC in Canada. It ended in December, 1997, after six seasons. See my North of 60 page for the latest news on the show (including the current air schedule) and on other activities of North of 60 stars.
Due South
William and Elyse's excellent fan site Due South is a drama/comedy about a Mountie from the northern wilds of Canada who finds himself stationed in Chicago. If you've never seen this delightful show, be sure to give it a try! The show is no longer in production, but the existing episodes often rerun in Canada.
(Yes, the inclusion of DS in this list violates my stated criteria for this page, because the show pretended to take place in Chicago and was co-produced with a U.S. network. But the show's main character is Canadian, and much of its charm comes from Canadian/U.S. culture clashes, so it actually has quite a bit of Canadian content. Besides, it's a great show. :-) )The Associates
Epguides.com TV.com JAM TV articles
This drama about young lawyers ran for two seasons (2001-2002) on CTV. Reruns are currently airing on Bold.
Avonlea See "Road to Avonlea"
Being Erica
CBC SoapNet Epguides.com TV.com JAM TV articles
Erin Karpluk stars in this series about a young woman who is given a chance to redo some of her crucial life moments by a mysterious man named Dr. Tom (Michael Riley). Season 2 will begin on CBC on Sept. 22, 2009. The show also airs on SoapNet in the U.S., although as of early September, 2009, it isn't currently on the schedule.
Black Harbour
TV.com
This series from the creators of North of 60 revolves around a Los Angeles family that moves back to the wife's hometown in Nova Scotia (where the series was filmed). Rebecca Jenkins plays the prodigal daughter, and Geraint Wyn Davies of "Forever Knight" plays her out-of-work movie-director husband.
Blue Murder
Epguides.com TV.com JAM TV articles
Reruns of this show about Toronto detectives air on Showcase Diva. Vous pouvez aussi voir En Quête de Preuves en français sur Series+.
The Border
CBC Epguides.com TV.com
This taut show follows the efforts of the Immigration and Customs Security agency to protect Canada's, well, borders. It will return for Season 3 on CBC on Oct. 8, 2009. Meanwhile, you can see previous seasons again on Bold, et en français sur Series+.
The Bridge
CBS media site The Futon Critic
Both Canadians (via CTV) and Americans (via CBS) will be able to see this new series midseason 2009-2010.
Cold Squad
CTV Epguides.com JAM TV articles
The detectives in this Vancouver-based police drama are in charge of investigating "cold" cases--ones that have gone unsolved for a long time. The series ended in 2005 after seven seasons on CTV. Repeats of the show can be seen weekdays on Showcase Diva and Mystery. U.S. viewers can see Cold Squad on Sleuth. It also airs in syndication; check your local listings for times and stations.
The Collector
Official website Epguides.com
A supernatural drama about a man who helps people right the wrongs they've done in their lives before the Devil collects on the souls they've promised him. The show ran for three seasons beginning in 2004.
Copper
The Futon Critic
This Toronto-based drama about five rookie cops began shooting in July, 2009. It will air on Global and ABC sometime during the 2009-2010 season.
Da Vinci's Inquest & Da Vinci's City Hall
Official website (Canada) Official website (U.S.) JAM TV articles
A gritty drama about the coroner's office in Vancouver, B.C., Da Vinci's Inquest ran for seven seasons on CBC. Reruns can currently be seen on W and VIVA. Aussi, la série (Coroner Da Vinci) est diffusée en français sur Series+.
In Fall 2005, DVI began airing in syndication in the U.S. If you aren't sure whether it's carried in your area, try searching the online listings at Zap2It. It's also on Sleuth.
Following in the footsteps of his real-life inspiration, Dominic Da Vinci moved from the coroner's department to the mayor's office. However, his tenure in the office didn't last as long as Larry Campbell's did. :-) In February, 2006, the first and only season of DVCH completed its run on CBC. (There has also been one followup movie, The Quality of Life.) Reruns are airing on Bold and Showcase.
In the U.S., you can see the City Hall episodes as part of the syndicated airings of Da Vinci's Inquest.
Durham County
Epguides.com The Movie Network Movie Central ION Television JAM TV articles
A dark psychological drama that's sort of a cross between Twin Peaks and Criminal Minds, Durham County features a continuing story each season. Season 2 is now airing on The Movie Network and Movie Central in Canada, and Season 1 on ION Television in the U.S.
E.N.G
Epguides.com TV.com
This show is about the news department at a Toronto television station. It ran from 1989 to 1994.
Eleventh Hour
CTV TV.com Epguides.com JAM TV articles
CTV's drama about an investigative TV show went off the air in 2005. It is currently running on TAC in Canada, and, under the name Bury the Lead, on Sleuth in the U.S. (A British series with the same name was created in 2005, and a U.S. version of that series ran in the 2008-2009 TV season. They are not related to this show.)
Emily of New Moon
Becky's fan site TV.com
A family drama based on the writings of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Emily is about an orphaned girl trying to keep her imagination and individuality alive in a sometimes stifling environment. The show is set in the 1890s and was filmed on location on Prince Edward Island. You can see it on Vision, VIVA, Book Television, and Telelatino Canada.
Flashpoint
CTV website Epguides.com JAM TV articles
Flashpoint focuses on an elite police unit in Toronto. The series has been airing on both CTV and CBS. New episodes will begin on Sept. 25, 2009 on CTV. CBS is holding it until midseason.
Forever Knight
Chiller Epguides.com
The series is about Toronto detective Nick Knight, who appears to be in his 30s, but is actually over 800 years old. That's because he's a vampire--but one who's trying to atone for all the killing he did. Geraint Wyn Davies stars, along with an excellent cast of regulars and guest stars. The show also aired on CBS when it was first released.
Chiller TV will be doing 8-hour marathons of Forever Knight on Oct. 10 and 15.
The Guard
Global Epguides.com
The Guard returns for its third season on Oct. 23, 2009. Set in British Columbia, it follows the lives of several Coast Guard members. Reruns are airing on Showcase and Mystery.
Heartland
CBC Epguides.com
JAM TV articles
CBC's family drama will be back for its third season on Oct. 4, 2009. Meanwhile, you can catch up with Season 2 on Sunday evenings. Reruns also air on CBC on Friday afternoons, and on TAC on Monday evenings.
Intelligence
Official website Epguides.com JAM TV articles
Created by Chris Haddock, the man behind Da Vinci's Inquest, and starring Ian Tracey as a Vancouver crime boss, this series was canceled after two seasons on CBC. Reruns can be seen on Tuesdays on Bold and Saturday nights on CBC.
The Listener
Official website NBC JAM TV articles
CTV's new series about an EMT who can read minds aired simultaneously on NBC in the summer of 2009. NBC actually pulled the show a few episodes before the season ended (although they are available for viewing on the NBC website), but the show did well at home and overseas, so we shall see whether it returns in Canada for a second season. Meanwhile, reruns are airing on Space.
Neon Rider
Epguides.com TV.com
An early-'90s drama about a ranch for delinquent teenagers.
Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy
TV.com Adventure/romance set on a cattle ranch in British Columbia during the 1940s, based on the reminiscences of rancher Rich Hobson. The series ran on CBC for two seasons (1999-2000). Canadians can see it again on ONE.
ReGenesis
Official website Epguides.com TV.com Scientists at a lab called NorBAC attempt to head off bad effects from biotechnology advances.
Reruns can be seen in Canada on Showcase. ReGenesis is also airing in the U.S. Because it's syndicated rather than being on a cable/satellite channel, airtimes vary, so check your local listings.
Road to Avonlea
Official website Mark's fan page JAM TV articles Epguides.com
This classic Canadian series, which ran for seven seasons, is based on books by Lucy Maud Montgomery about life on Prince Edward Island in the early 1900s. It's been known as "Avonlea" in the U.S. You can currently see it on A Channel stations and Book Television in Canada.
Street Legal
My episode list TV.com
The trials--so to speak--and tribulations of a small Toronto law firm. The show ran from 1986 to 1994. (Note: if you see listings for "treet Legal on APTN, that's a different series from New Zealand.)
This is Wonderland
TV.com
A young lawyer finds herself caught up in the frustration, poignancy, and humor of the Toronto justice system. The series ended in March, 2006 after three seasons on CBC. Bold and TAC are currently airing it. Vous pouvez aussi voir Le Merveilleux Monde d'Alice en français sur Series+.
Tom Stone
Epguides.com TV.com JAM TV articles
This CBC series about a mismatched duo of crimefighters (an RCMP corporal sent to Calgary after making enemies in Toronto, and a local ex-cop whom she gets out of jail in return for his help) ran for two seasons in 2002 and 2003.
Traders
Epguides.com TV.com
Life in the fast lane at a Toronto investment bank. The series ended in March, 2000 on the Global network in Canada. Reruns of the show can be seen on TVtropolis. Vous le pouvez voir comme Haute Finance en français sur Mystère les jours de semaine.
Wild Roses
CBC TV.com
This Alberta-based drama about an oil family debuted on CBC in January, 2009, and was cancelled after one season.
Wind at My Back
Official website My episode guide TV.com JAM TV articles
This family drama from the producers of Road to Avonlea follows the lives of a young widow and her children in northern Ontario during the Great Depression. The fifth and final season aired on CBC during the 2000-2001 season. The show is currently airing on VIVA and Bravo in Canada.
Canadian Dramas Links
Here are some more web pages you might enjoy!
Episode guides for Canadian shows on TV.com
The Encyclopedia of Television on the Museum of Broadcast Communications website includes specific pages about "North of 60," "Street Legal," "E.N.G.," etc.
Prof. Mary Jane Miller has an essay on Canadian Television Programming in English on the MBC site.
TV, Eh? What's Up in Canadian TV offers lots of good updates and links about Canadian television.
Channel Canada tracks happenings on all the Canadian networks and cable/satellite stations.
Queen's University Film Studies provides links to television websites in Canada.
The Great Canadian Guide to the Movies and TV has info about loads of shows.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television has created a comprehensive, easy-to-use database of nominees and winners for the Gemini (television) and Genie (cinema) awards.
If you know of a current Canadian drama I've missed and have a URL for information about it, please let me know and I'll consider adding it.
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(c) 1997-2010 Patricia F. Winter
Last updated 3/8/2010
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