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It's a figure that's almost unheard of these days in an era of quick TV cancellations. Canada's "Murdoch Mysteries" has managed to reach 300 episodes, a mark not even many U.S. shows can boast about. It's even rarer for a Canadian production.
The drama has been on the air every season since January 2008 and is seen in many countries around the world.
Have to confess I've never seen a single one of them, but to last this long, they must be doing something right.
In the linked article below, Toronto Star TV scribe Debra Yeo relates how she was chosen as a special "background" actor in #300, and why the program, set in the early 1900s, continues to attract audiences even after all these years.
I played a (tiny) part in ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ 300th episode — here’s how the show transformed Caledon into a piece of England
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My wife has been watching the show for a number of years now, since one of my co-workers recommended it... she enjoys these "whodunit" type shows, and thanks to Vision TV, has seen the entire run of "Murder, She Wrote." During the COVID lockdowns etc., she often also watched CHCH's reruns of "Matlock" during her lunch breaks.
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& Heartland is in the same neighbourhood with 271 episodes over 18 seasons .. stellar runs for both.
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That makes two of us RA. I have yet to watch a single episode of Murdoch Mysteries. I have no intention of starting now. I have never watched Heartland either.
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I don’t think anyone might remember, but Murdoch Mysteries was originally on Citytv and was initially developed by CHUMCity and first aired in 2008. Shorty after Rogers took over Citytv, they dropped the show, probably because they were trying to erase the Citytv brand and make it their own. Unfortunately for Rogers, CBC picked it up and now, in its 18th season, it airs in 120 countries. Rogers blew that one, for a change! They really should have stayed out if broadcasting.
Last edited by Shorty Wave (January 20, 2025 9:06 am)
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Murdoch Mysteries actually began in 2004-05 with three TV movies that were produced by CHUM owned Bravo! Yannick Bisson did not play Murdoch in these three productions.
The TV movies were later shown on City TV. Response was good, so CHUM decided to have a series with it's debut on City in 2008. However Rogers purchased City October 2007 and the first season was into production. Rogers did keep Murdoch for 5 years before cancelling the show in 2012. CBC picked it up in 2013, and overall was a much better fit in my opinion.
Both Murdoch and Heartland are big international success stories, and still popular in Canada. They both have very loyal fans. Some have watched from year one, and are well versed in Heartland or Murdoch trivia.