OVATION TV DEBUTS THE U.S. PREMIERE OF
MURDOCH MYSTERIES SEASON 17 ON FEBRUARY 10
This Season Includes the First Musical Episode Ever
Guest Stars Include Margaret Atwood, Colm Feore, Colin Mochrie,
Sharron Matthews, and Bruce McCulloch
Los Angeles, CA – Feb. 1, 2024 – Ovation TV, America’s premier arts network, airs the U.S. premiere of the 17th season of beloved detective series Murdoch Mysteries this month. Highlights of the new 24-episode season include an episode directed by series star Yannick Bisson, two episodes written by showrunner Peter Mitchell, and one episode written by Maureen Jennings, author of the Detective Murdoch book series. This season’s guest stars include The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood, Colm Feore (The Umbrella Academy), Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Sharron Matthews (Frankie Drake Mysteries), and Bruce McCulloch (The Kids in the Hall). Ovation TV will air the U.S. television premiere of Murdoch Mysteries season 17 on Saturday, February 10 at 7:00pm ET.
Season 17 of the internationally acclaimed series continues to explore the personal and professional developments in the lives of Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), Inspector Thomas Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Constables George Crabtree (Jonny Harris) and Henry Higgins-Newsome (Lachlan Murdoch), and Detective Llewelyn Watts (Daniel Maslany) as they tackle Toronto’s toughest mysteries, from the serious and historic to the comical and unusual.
As the season begins, Detective Murdoch’s future with the Toronto Constabulary is in question after his resignation. In the wake of Inspector Brackenreid’s retirement to the English countryside, it seemed the time for Murdoch to finally take charge was imminent, but yet again he is passed over for promotion. In the interim, Crabtree has been appointed Inspector, but he’s preoccupied with finding Murdoch and Ogden, who unbeknownst to him have been abducted to Rochester to exonerate a criminal or their baby will be killed.
In the wake of her husband’s demise, Violet Hart (Shanice Banton) finds herself plagued by a lawsuit from his family who are determined to bankrupt her. Fortunately, she manages to hold onto a prized racehorse and cottage in the woods. Unfortunately, there’s a scandal at the stables when another horse is electrocuted and a supposedly serene visit to the cottage with Ogden, Effie Newsome-Crabtree (Clare McConnell) and Louise Cherry (Bea Santos) takes a terrifying turn when they encounter a group of girl adventurers being pursued by a murderous madman. The Stationhouse also welcomes a new officer, Constable Tucker (Kenzie Delo), who, at his bachelor party at a rowdy oyster bar, gets into a scuffle with a drunk who is later found dead.
Music is a major theme this season with the first-ever musical episode in the long-running series’ history, plus a case involving the ice pick-to-the-ear murder of a promising young composer that features multiple symphonic sequences. Other cases this season include the contract murder of a construction boss in a barbershop, violent clan rivalry at the Scottish Highland Games, a death linked to a psychic and fortunetelling event and the Christmastime killings of some very naughty slum landlords and loan sharks.
Murdoch Mysteries is based on Maureen Jennings’s popular Detective Murdoch series of novels and premiered in Canada in January 2008. Murdoch Mysteries is executive produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Yannick Bisson, Hélène Joy, Paul Aitken, Simon McNabb, and Peter Mitchell, who also serves as showrunner, and produced by Jeremy Hood and Julie Lacey. Murdoch Mysteries is developed and produced by Shaftesbury, in association with CBC, ITV STUDIOS, and UKTV, and with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, the IPF’s COGECO Television Production Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and Ontario Creates. Shaftesbury Sales Company and ITV STUDIOS hold worldwide distribution rights for the series.
About OVATION TV America’s Premier Arts Network
As an independent television, production, and digital media company, OVATION TV has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture, and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically acclaimed premium dramas, specials, documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION TV salutes innovative storytelling with popular programming that includes Inside the Actors Studio, Murdoch Mysteries, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Arts Engines, The Fall, Midsomer Murders, The Art Of and The Sound of New York. Ovation also powers JOURNY, the dedicated streaming service where art, culture, and travel intersect. The company has provided more than $15M in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education. Its signature advocacy platform, STAND FOR THE ARTS, includes a coalition of over 150 arts organizations, cultural institutions, and arts leaders throughout the country raising awareness about art’s positive impact, protecting access for everyone, and encouraging action on behalf of the arts. OVATION TV is available on major providers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV, Charter/Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, as well as on demand. You can follow OVATION TV on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.
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For more information, visit ovationtv.com or contact:
Kristina Stafford Kelly
Vice President, Communication