Citytv Cancels Murdoch Mysteries

In news from last week that we missed — and for which we are incredibly disappointed — the fifth season of Murdoch Mysteries, currently in production, will be its last.

Based on a character created by crime novelist Maureen Jennings, Canadian-produced Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch, a late 19th century Toronto police detective, who uses cutting edge technology to solve crimes. Murdoch is featured in seven mysteries written by Jennings and published between 1997 and 2007.

Several Canadian newspapers have been pondering the mystery, as it were, of why the show is coming to an end. It's not for lack of viewers, as the recently completed fourth season was its highest rated ever. Some have speculated that the series, a period crime drama, doesn't fit in with the image its network, Citytv, wants to move forward with. The show's producers, who are partnered with ITV in the UK, are optimistic that a sixth season may find a home somewhere.

We've enjoyed the series — see our reviews of Seasons 2 and 3 on Mr. E. Reviews — and are looking forward to seeing Season 4 on DVD.

(Source: Toronto.com.)