‘Murdoch Mysteries’ Returns to Ovation for Season 20

It’s fitting that a series that’s been on the air so long it predates streaming gets a standalone post about its over-the-air broadcast date, but Murdoch Mysteries remains steadfastly Canadian, sticking with the conservative, old-school approach. Despite moves by bigger mainstream services toward worldwide releases, the CBC series’ global rollout on streaming still follows the old-school “120-day” exclusivity window, which means the post telling you when it starts streaming on Acorn TV will arrive in about five months.

But even though Acorn TV still has to politely wait for the ratings magnet to come to it, cable network Ovation does not. The original home of the series, back when it aired in America as The Artful Detective, has been airing the adventures of titular Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary and his “innovative forensic techniques,” such as fingerprinting, to solve the city’s most difficult murders. A couple of years ago, it even went day-and-date with the series so hardcore American fans could watch legally.

It did so just as the series started hitting major milestones. As Canada’s longest-running historical detective series, Murdoch Mysteries (initially set in 1895 and now firmly settled into a vaguely late-Edwardian era), has rounded into some history-making of its own. This year marks twenty seasons, a number made all the more remarkable in that two of the original four main leads are still there, tirelessly filming 20+ episodes a year. (Sorry guys, but Meredith Grey could never.)

“Twenty seasons is an extraordinary achievement, but as producers, hitting this milestone also means that we can’t take the success of this series, or its audience, for granted,” said producer Christina Jennings*. “We have to keep surprising viewers by finding new places for Murdoch to go. Sending him to Malta gave us the opportunity to take the series into full adventure territory - a pursuit across one of the most spectacular settings in the world. It’s Murdoch on a much bigger canvas, and exactly the kind of creative swing we want to keep taking in our twentieth season.”

(*Please note, Christina Jennings is not related to Maureen Jennings, who wrote the original novels upon which it is based.)

Here’s the synopsis for Season 20.

In its milestone 20th season premiere, Murdoch Mysteries takes viewers on an unexpected international adventure as Murdoch diverts his travels to Malta, where mystery author Nigella Fletcher awaits execution for murdering her husband. Questioning the seemingly open-and-shut case, Murdoch uncovers a connection to a stolen priceless tapestry, a centuries-old treasure map, and a mystery that sends him after both a fugitive and the truth.

Throughout the 21-episode season, Murdoch and the Station House No. 4 team face personal and professional challenges while tackling the clever mysteries, groundbreaking inventions, and sharp social commentary that have made the series a global fan favorite.

Bisson continues to anchor the series as the titular William Murdoch, along with the show’s long-time stalwart Thomas Craig as Chief Constable Thomas Brackenreid, who has been with the series since its inception. Season 20 will also bring back new lead Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Inspector Albert Choi.

Supporting cast returnees include Shanice Banton as Chief Coroner Violet Hart, Daniel Maslany as Llewellyn Detective Watts, Lachlan Murdoch as Constable Henry Higgins, Arwen Humphreys as Margaret Brackenreid, Kataem O’Connor as Teddy Roberts, and Clare McConnell as Crown Attorney Effie Newsome-Crabtree. Guest stars for Season 20 announced so far include Sally Lindsay (The Madame Blanc Mysteries) as Nigella Fletcher, plus Ennis Esmer (Ghosts), Hamza Haq (Being Human), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), James Chatto (Wayward), Jason Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back), and dancers Yanic Truesdale (Etoile) and Emma Slater (Dancing with the Stars).

Based on Maureen Jennings’ popular Detective Murdoch series of novels, Jennings will once again pen one of this season’s episodes, alongside showrunner Peter Mitchell and returning writers Saleema Nawaz, Keri Ferencz, Simon McNabb, Jenny Lee, Christina Ray, Noelle Girard, and Nick West. Returning directors include Eleanore Lindo, Elsbeth McCallm, Mina Shum, Katie Boland, Sherren Lee, Laurie Lynd, Duane Crichton, and Craig Wallace.

Murdoch Mysteries is executive produced by Bisson, McNabb, and Mitchell, alongside Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie, and is produced by Jeremy Hood and Julie Lacey.

Murdoch Mysteries Season 20 will debut on the CBC and cable channel Ovation starting Monday, October 5, 2026, and will air weekly through May 2027 with the usual holiday breaks. The series will stream on Acorn TV starting in early 2027 and streaming weekly through mid-July.

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