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Rookie Blue
But that's an interesting aspect of these Canadian series: not only are there still male-led series (like Murdoch Mysteries) but there are plenty of good male roles in these female-led series. There's far more gender balance in casting than a lot of the traditional male-led series.
In recent years there has been a slight, but noteworthy, incursion of Canadian TV series onto American TV. Cable series like Bitten and Orphan Black and even primetime network programs like Rookie Blue and Motive. But there has been grumbling about these and other shows.
It was a bit of a downer to learn that "Rookie Blue" wouldn't be returning until July. Well, Canadians, you are in luck because for the first time in the series' run, Rookie Blue is coming to Canada ahead of the States. And it all begins on Monday.
It's a nice theory to embrace for those outside of the U.S. as it reinforces a vision of Americans as insular and frightened of the world when other nations' TV schedules are often a little more pluralistic. It also means that when non-American productions fail in the U.S. market it can be blamed on American xenophobia, as opposed to any weakness in the production itself.
There was a time when you could declare a Canadian TV season if two series were airing around the same time. And a "hit" season if people had actually heard of one of them. And then along comes Played -- CTV's crime-drama about undercover cops that premieres Thursday, Oct. 3rd. Here's the best part: it's actually quite good.
Canadian series have a history of pretending they're set in America. Where they are supposed to be set -- well, that's a fascinating topic. In recent years we've also seen what could be called the "soft" Canadian setting. Series which admit they are set in Canada but in a way that a lot of viewers probably wouldn't pick up on.
