New century. New network.
New Murdoch Mysteries?
Yes and no, according to lead actor Yannick Bisson (pictured above).
A sixth season of Murdoch Mysteries makes its debut early in the new year, on Jan. 7, on its new network, CBC. The Canadian series previously existed for five seasons on Citytv.
As it turned out, the previous season ended as the clock struck midnight and a new century – the 1900s – was born.
“It’s almost like it was pre-ordained somehow,” said Bisson, who plays William Murdoch, an innovative police detective with an eye toward the future.
“New century, new broadcaster, it really did fall that way. Man, nobody is happier than me.”
Bisson was asked if fans of Murdoch Mysteries are going to notice a difference from broadcaster to broadcaster, other than merely having to click to a different channel. Is the transition intended to be seamless, or do the creators want viewers to perceive that something has changed?
“It’s actually not really either in terminology for me,” Bisson said. “Really what we’re doing is continuing to give the audience what has been working. They love the show the way it is. We’ve given them new, more, extra of what they’ve liked so far. And to be honest it has been business as usual. It hasn’t been different in content or approach at all.
“But having a home (on CBC), having more people talking about the show, having a consistent time slot, having publicity, getting ancillary publicity on different platforms, knowing that we’re wanted, maybe that has changed us a fair bit.
“Confidence is such a big part of this. So definitely, I would say that aspect has changed.”
As far as story lines go, Murdoch Mysteries always has existed in a fortuitous time period, because so much of what we take for granted today was invented or conceived in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
“Now with the new century we’re able to talk about things like flight,” Bisson said. “So there is an aspect of that coming up in season six. If you can picture the Murdoch character experiencing flight, that gives you an idea. It’s going to be great.
“We also have people who come into historical prominence later on, and we always take a bit of creative licence with stuff like this. But we’re bringing Winston Churchill to the show, with all of his young man’s sort of foibles (Churchill is portrayed by Thomas Howes, who played William on Downton Abbey).
“Some of it is really trivial, little things like sticky tape. Stupid little things like that, but it puts a smile on your face. And at the end of the day, we’re entertained just as much as the viewer by this stuff. I absolutely love doing the show for those little moments. ‘Canned meat? Who are you trying to kid? That will never take off!’ ”
As long as Murdoch Mysteries continues to take off – literally and figuratively – Yannick Bisson will have his head in the clouds.
bill.harris@sunmedia.ca
@billharris_tv
Categories: Television
Can I watch this on CBC’s website? I live in the US. I could wait till Netflix has season six, but I don’t want to.
I love this show. It’s very entertaining and clever and yes, puts a smile on my face!
This is one of the best shows out there. I am so excited it will begin its new season in January 2013 – can’t wait. Way to go CBC for having the insight to recognized a wonderful show and to continue to make it happen. The actors are the best and work so well together to make almost real. Thank you CBC for allowing the opportunity to enterain all of us that support Murdoch Mysteries.
I love this show! It is super. And Canadian!
I absolutely love “Murdock Mysteries.” It is one of the few realy entertaining shows on TV. It is so well written with just enough humor ( Crabtree is hilarious )and a little danger and romance to make it great. Cant wait to see the new season in Jan. Thankyou CBC for giving me my favorite back again.
MM is one of the great canadian productions to which i am now totally engaged……I especially enjoy the historical content, Drs. Crabtree and Ogden….they have such appealing and charming personaes. I look forward to being deeply enchanted and highly enraptured……Love ya’ll Slainte
Love the show have seen all the series since #1 cant wait for six . the caracters are wonderful thanks CBC, from a fan in Nova scotia
watching all old series second time around cant wait for Jan, to see new series.go Yannick
So glad to see CBC has picked up this wonderful show! Can’t wait for new season to begin.
I am a new fan of this show, I use to pass it by but now I can’t wait to watch. CSI has nothing on this show. I love to see how science and forensics have developed over the centuries.
I love this show. So glad there is another series. I have watched the older series many times over, never get tired.
Love the time period and characters, best show on T.V.
I only have to wait another 2 hrs to see the first show of season 6……so exciting!
I love this show – serious, funny, intense, sensible plots, with little of the horror of most new tv shows, and especially interesting, as my birthplace is Toronto.
In my opinion, a series way above and beyond anything presently on Television! A great combination of well-developed plots, actors who possess excellent acting ability, and visual authenticity of the early 1900s. Thanks, CBC!
Looking forward to the new season. I appreciate all the new discoveries that Murdock uncovers.My Granny was born in the late 1800′s and I realized what was discovered in her lifetime.Electricity, telephones,Radios,TV’s,cars, yes and planes.All the things we take for granted. Being an old girl myself..Yannik isn’t too hard to look at either.Keep the nostalgia going.
This is one of the best shows out there. I was pleased to read that there is another season (5) that I’ve yet to watch with a new one that just came on. I had no idea until recently that this show was still running. I’ve watched Seasons 1, 2 & 3 several times on Netflix & was surprised to find Season 4 on Amazon. So thank you CBC for having the insight to recognized a wonderful show and to continue to make it happen. The stories & the actors are the best and & really well done. It appears that people were well mannered and respectful of others in this earlier time frame. I love the way they bring out the new discoveries of science, forensics, etc. As I am pushing 80, I have a hard time finding TV shows that I’ll watch for very long, due to their bad manner, language & rough treatment of their fellow citizens,but The Murdock Mysteries & Downton Abbey both are my main priorities for watching TV presently. Once again, thank you CBC for continuing these shows that allows us, (seniors) the opportunity to be entertained along with the others that support Murdoch Mysteries. And—Mr. Bisson is so easy on the eyes, as they all are. Each one of them.
I love this show and I am very proud that it’s Canadian.
I love this show and I am very proud that it is Canadian. I hope it will be around for a long time.
It’s fascinating detective story revealing the technology or practical science at the dawn of the late 19th century in Canada. We took it for granted for numerous current crime investigation stories. What a transformed world we live in!- not only Toronto (as I being stayed for several months recently) but in everywhere!
I absolutely love this show, in fact I would go so far as to say I am addicted.
The acting by everyone, is superb and the stories are so varied.
Yannick Bosson is a very handsome man and makes watching the show all the more enjoyable. Thank you CBC
My entire family have been fans since Season 1. Hope it continues on CBC for many years. This is a intelligent, well written, entertaining show for any age.
Hey guys like the show. Agree with all of the above. I watch the show on FOXTEL, UK TV channel here in South Australia. Next week I get to find out if Julia gets off from visiting the Hangman (20/4) . Hope there is going to be future seasons.