Crime writer weathers ups and downs

BY CARRIE BRUNET
JANUARY 31, 2008 12:05 PM

Two weeks into the recovery of her hip surgery, crime author Maureen Jennings sat in the second floor dining room of her Barton Street home and reflected on a tumultuous 2007 over a cup of ginger tea.
"The best things imaginable and the worst things imaginable happened," she said, offering coffee, but preferring the soothing effect the ginger tea has on her queasy stomach. It's not the subject of conversation, but rather her pain medication that has her feeling uneasy.
The storyline in which Jennings was the main character featured some career-advancing events like the filming of a television series based on her Murdoch mystery series, as well as the purchase of the television rights to her second mystery series based on an OPP behavourial profiler. But there were some bizarre plot twists waiting for Jennings.
Aside from her deteriorating hip which required surgery in January, Jennings suffered a very public tragedy - a near drowning, in which her rescuer died.
"I just knew I didn't want to drown," she said.
Jennings and husband Iden Ford were at the beach by their timeshare condo in Cocoa Beach, Florida, when Jennings got caught in an undercurrent. The pair had been swimming in that same spot dozens of time before, including the previous day. But since their last visit to Cocoa Beach two hurricanes had swept through the area, changing the landscape, and creating a riptide area where there wasn't one before. The rescuer, Ted Hunt, was the 10th such death in that area that year.
"This was a man who acted out of honour," said Jennings of the Maine man who heard her husband's plea for help and ran to her rescue. Emotionally, the incident took its toll, even though physically, Jennings emerged unscathed.
"The family was very upset and angry," she said cautiously, still shaken from the incident. "I don't know how they feel now."
Florida Today closed the public comment section following the story stating that "offensive posts by some insensitive readers," necessitated the deletion.
This wasn't Jennings first brush with death. Two years ago, she was knocked off her bicycle at Yonge and Dundas streets.
"Had the light been green, I would have surely been killed," she said. "I've always felt that life was unpredictable."
Growing up during the Second World War in England gave Jennings some perspective on how short life can be. She spent a considerable amount of time figuring out how she wanted to live her life, but once she found writing, she hasn't looked back.
Although, when she pauses to think about her inclination to write mystery novels, it seems a logical conclusion. "I loved Sherlock Holmes as a child," she said in her subtle British accent. Growing up in Birmingham, England, Jennings was among generations that were influenced by the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Her own William Murdoch is, in her own words, a Canadian Sherlock Holmes.
She started the William Murdoch mysteries with the intention of making it into something longstanding.
"You always leave the door open," she said. "You always assume you're going to create a series."
She applied that theory again when she started her second series, the Christine Morris series, with great success.
Embarking on the Morris series has given Jennings a break from Murdoch.
"He can live on television for a little while," she said, adding a whispered "sorry Murdoch," as though the character's ghost was there in the room.
The Murdoch series aired on CityTV for the first time last Thursday. Jennings who is a consultant on the show has seen it so many times that she fell asleep.
"I didn't make it all the way through," she said, but husband Iden did. He is Jennings's biggest supporter and fan.
"He does everything that I don't have the time or the inclination to do," said Jennings.
He answered the door when The Guardian came calling on Monday morning, took the reporter's coat and escorted dogs Varley and Jeremy out of the way to ensure an undisturbed interview, then quietly disappeared.
The doting husband even blogs about Jennings's accomplishments at www.idenford.blogspot.com, and runs the author's own website at www.maureenjennings.com. He is also her official photographer and the artist behind the cover photo of her latest book in the Morris series - the K Hand Shape - being launched Mar. 20 at The Sleuth of Baker Street, a Bayview Avenue crime fiction bookstore.
"He is totally my partner in everything," said Jennings. "He handles all the little details."
Details are Jennings's obsession in writing. She wants her readers to learn from her books, and spends inordinate amounts of time researching her subjects. For her Morris series, she and Ford traveled to Orillia on several occasions, visiting the OPP, the casino as well as other spots relevant to her plot.
Ford photographically journals their visits to help Jennings with her writing. "I try to do the best I can do and make it as real as possible," she said, adding that she had to stretch the truth a little in this series since OPP profilers are generally only consultants on cases and aren't directly involved.
Her research for her latest book will take her abroad to England. "We would probably move there if we didn't have so many ties here," said Jennings of her homeland.
She's almost giddy when asked to explain about the "land army girls" she intends to feature in her upcoming book, as she hopes people learn a little when they read her books. "It's good that you don't know," said the former university professor.
"When I was little I wanted to be a land army girl when I grew up," said Jennings. The "girls" were city dwellers brought in to work the farms after all the men were conscripted for the war efforts.
"It was really hard work but they won the respect of the men," said Jennings.
A book about the land army girls sits by Jennings's armchair in the living room. She likes to own books; just as when she was a child, she uses them as an escape.
"That's the greatest compliment when someone says to me "your book took me somewhere else," she said. "I like to open a book and say 'take me somewhere.'"

The Book Lovers Ball

I am escorting Maureen to this very prestigous event tomorrow night and we are going in costume. I promise to have photos for you and a report. This will be her first big outing since the surgery.

PS Don't want to get your hopes up about a Murdoch sale in the US. It's a long shot at best at the moment as I have heard from a reliable source about it so I am sorry if I have created false expectations. I just post what is on the internet, and you know I really would love to see the show go in the US but alas as I said before, the rumour mill can fly in this business.

From TV Guide Canada - not sure if you've read this yet

‘Murdoch’ celebrates old-fashioned detective work

By Melissa Hank

New period drama ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ debuts
Just think of it as "CSI: Unplugged". Literally.

Citytv’s new detective drama Murdoch Mysteries is set in 1890s Toronto, before the widespread use of electricity, before fancy police methods like fingerprinting, and way before CSI: Miami's Horatio Caine ever uttered his first corny one-liner.

The series is based on Maureen Jennings’ mystery novels of the same name, and offers a refreshingly low-tech approach to a genre that’s too-often full of dizzying quick-cuts and technical mumbo jumbo. (Who uses “micro-spectro photometry” in everyday speech, anyway?)

“Crime dramas have been focusing on technology lately,” says Yannick Bisson, who stars as Detective William Murdoch. “We do some of that, but we also focus on the relationships of the characters. At the end of the day, it’s good old-fashioned police work and intuitiveness that wins out.”

That’s not to say the police squad runs around in Flintstones-like patrol cars, collecting blisters on their feet.

“We do introduce some forensics techniques, even by accident sometimes,” says Bisson. “There are things like how the expression ‘tracing a call’ came to be. One of our characters goes to the telephone exchange and has someone trace back over a map of the city where the exchangers would have routed that call.

“I find that interesting – a lot more interesting than litmus paper and DNA testing.”

The series’ costuming and cinematography also set it apart. Lush scenery from places like Dundas, Ont., are juxtaposed with images of brutal deaths.

“There’s something for everyone,” the Sue Thomas F.B. Eye alum says. “We’re building a new Murdoch across the board – the style, the feel, the visual. The drama is now offset by some levity.

“And putting on the suit and being on the sets make your job a lot easier. You definitely feel like you’re jumping back into time.”

Rounding out Murdoch’s circle of colleagues are the skeptical Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig, Coronation Street), forward-thinking pathologist Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy, Durham County), and inexperienced Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris, Hatching, Matching and Dispatching).

But, says Bisson, there’s more to the series than open-and-closed cases and Victorian-era niceties. Seeping underneath the plots are references to the “science vs. religion” debate and divisive social issues.

“Murdoch is a conflicted guy,” says Bisson. “On one hand he has a strong religious upbringing, and on the other he’s a man of science, a progressive thinker. That brings a bit of tension to him.”

He adds, “We do deal with some of the polarizing issues that we still deal with today as a society, like socio-economic classes, glass ceilings and sexual preference. We tackle them through 1890s Murdoch’s eyes, and it adds a whole other dimension.”

And there's nary a pair of Horatio Caine sunglasses in sigh

Read this from Media In Canada

. . . . .The Flashpoint sale caps off a busy NAPTE for Canadian producers as they look to fill prime-time gaps for U.S. networks. British distributor Fireworks International is showcasing CBC's The Border for US networks. Peter Raymont, who is executive producing the border patrol drama, says the short list for his series is down to CBS and ABC, with USA Network and Turner Broadcasting also in the running. As well, execs at Toronto's Shaftesbury Films, who are shopping Murdoch Mysteries and Life With Derek stateside, report they are within days of signing a deal with a major US network.

PS I've heard this rumour all week and everyone is very mum about it so as not to create false expectations. So I am only reporting what it is I read on the internet. I will tell you one thing, if there is any way that Christina Jennings can make a US sale of the Murdoch Mysteries, she will get it done and it won't be from lack of trying. We also have Granada International working with Shaftesbury which is also huge. Hopefully we will know something concrete either way by the end of the week as they are all at NATPE in Las Vegas which is a conference where all these tv deals get made. http://www.natpe.org/

From the Network

Glass Ceiling -

Lawyer Percy Pollack was last seen a week ago. According to his wife, Clara, Percy had gone to a meeting with his business partner, Dr. Gilbert Birkins, but based on the condition of his body, he died just 36-48 hours ago - which leaves five days unaccounted for. When Judge Henry Scott dies of a similar wound, Brackenreid suddenly recognizes the work of a murderer long thought dead -- and that he himself might be next on the killer's list. The case deeply divides Murdoch and Brackenreid, each pursuing their own line of investigation. But, a grisly new development in Pollack's murder tells Murdoch that he's been trying to solve this puzzle without all the pieces.

10 Thursday ET|PT|MT
8 Sunday CT

This week's episode - The Glass Ceiling

For some reason there was a screw up and the listing for this week's episode did not make it into the tv guides. Some sort of clerical error with the broadcaster for which they will not let happen again. So those of you in Canada who read this blog, the episode really is the pilot for the series as last week was an intro episode. The chronology of the show in terms of how the arc of the series was originally planned, begins this Thursday night at 10 and repeats Saturday at 8, Sunday in Winnipeg at 8:00 CT. The Glass Ceiling touches on Murdoch's Catholicism and how it impacts a man who attempts to get ahead at the turn of the 19th century in a very Orange town, hence the title The Glass Ceiling.
It also deals with an attempt on Inspector Brackenreid's life as we get to know Thomas Craig's character a lot more this week.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. The executive producer on the show in charge of scripts, Cal Coons and his partner Jean wrote the story as they also did Let Loose The Dogs (episode 106).
More later

From Corrie Canada

CityTV's new series Murdoch Mysteries features two well-loved Corrie stars. Thomas Craig, who left Coronation Street with a bang in 2005 (after his character Tommy Harris was bludgeoned by his daughter Katie) is trading the role of victim for the role of "gruff, no nonsense" Inspector Brackenreid. While searching for some photos of our Tommy, I found that he is not the only Corrie star on the Murdoch set. Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow!) will be in at least one episode, though I couldn't puzzle out his role. Click here for the photo source, a blog belonging to the original author's husband. Murdoch Mysteries premiered last night and so far has received pretty good reviews. John Doyle of The Globe and Mail calls it "smart, fast-paced fun". I don't know about you, but I've definitely noticed a lack of anything smart on television lately, so this sounds like a welcome change. Good luck, Thomas Craig and cast, CorrieCanada.com supports you!

Not sure if this will go anywhere but if it does, you all will be the first to know

U.S. TV eyes Canadian shows
Producers hope to cash in on writers' strike

Barbara Shecter, Financial Post
Published: Monday, January 28, 2008

As the Hollywood writers' strike drags into its 13th week, Canadian television producers are fielding phone calls that they hope will turn into sales of their shows to U.S. networks starved for new programming.
U.S. TV eyes Canadian shows
Producers hope to cash in on writers' strike

Peter Raymont, a co-founder, producer and writer at White Pine Pictures, an independent Toronto-based production company, said he is "optimistic" his CBC drama The Border -- about an elite border security unit confronting international crime, terrorists and trafficking -- will be sold to a U.S. network after a series of meetings today and tomorrow in Las Vegas.

"It's certainly helping us that there is a writers' strike and the Americans are hungry for content," Mr. Raymont said yesterday before he was to fly to an annual international sales event convened by the National Association of Television Program Executives. "We've had a lot of interest from the U.S."

The Writers Guild of America strike has shut down production of such hit shows as Grey's Anatomy and House. Talks between the writers and U.S. studios continue, but unscripted reality shows and reruns are filling huge gaps in the prime-time TV schedule, leaving programmers in search of fresh material.

"I've been getting a number of calls from various networks in the United States, asking to see pilot episodes and scripts," said Ira Levy, co-founder of and executive producer at Toronto-based Breakthrough Films and Television. "There's a [large] market that doesn't have product because of the Writers Guild strike."

There were rumours in the Canadian production industry last week that Toronto-based Shaftesbury Films, maker of Murdoch Mysteries and Life With Derek, was close to a deal with a major U.S. network.

Counter effective today

I have been curious to know how many people read the blog every day. So there is now a meter on the very bottom of the page that indicates the number of distinct visitors that come to this blog. That is effective today. I suspected there were way more readers than posters, and that is fine so please keep visiting and reading as I will do my best to put up the latest on the series and our world including news about Maureen's books and my photography. And don't be shy, discussion and thoughts are very welcome.

Comparing Apples & Oranges

Well wouldn't you know it, someone wrote to Maureen and was comparing the movies of the week to the series and the two actors who play Murdoch.
I wrote a response to this on IMBD because I feel strongly about the subject.
The movies of the week were direct adaptations of the novels. The stories (Except the Dying, Under The Dragons Tail, and Poor Tom Is Cold) were adapted pretty accurately with the exception of Dr Ogden's character who was brought into the movies of the week so there would be a coroner who Murdoch could then have affection for, and perhaps a relationship with someday within the body of 6 movies of the week that were planned.
The three mow's were so popular the broadcaster commissioned a series which now stars Yannick Bisson.
Peter was in another series and could not continue as Murdoch.
Ogden, who was played by Keeley Hawes in the MOW's and now by Helene Joy, was essentially a combination of two characters Maureen had created in her novels, Enid and Amy, both of whom are love interests for Murdoch in the books. Typically in film and tv, characters are often combined for budgetary considerations, we like what they did with both Ogden's and their choice of actresses in both cases. Since we were not going to get Keeley back in our series, we stood on our heads and jumped up and down to get Helene as we had seen the auditions, and for us, she was in a class by herself. We adore her and think she is outstanding.
Anyway, the Murdoch of the new tv series and the supporting cast are characters adapted from the novels. They are not the characters in the novels so to speak who behave like those characters all the time, with the exception of Let Loose The Dogs, which is the 6th episode. The characters in that episode are lifted straight out of the novels and dropped onto the tv screen. The actors in that episode recreate the novel exceptionally well, so well that it is in it's own way unique and compelling, it is a terrific adaptation. You will see.
Okay so here is what I feel, if you were a fan of the MOW's and after seeing the first episode, find the series very different and not what you expected, wait. The series unfolds in a way that deepens each week as we peer into the life of William Murdoch over the course of 13 episodes. This is what Yannick does with Murdoch and how it was written for him. When you come to see Elementary My Dear Murdoch and Let Loose the Dogs, you will see a Murdoch portrayed by Yannick that reveals even more of his interior life than the movies did. His performance is powerful, gripping and it is very compelling. There is a lot of emotion in those episodes as we peer into Murdoch's past, and it took a very special performance by our lead to pull it off. We were deeply touched, so much so that when we saw him on the set after we had seen the rough cuts, Maureen and I were very emotional and very happy.
Peter Outerbridge created a Murdoch for an adaptation of a novel, which he did remarkably well because he was given scripts that were right out of the novels.
Yannick nuances Murdoch over 13 episodes which are one hour in length, and each episode has to tell a story each week that covers all bases. Character, plot, murder, solution, etc.
It is a big challenge and it is outstanding.
Watch all 13 episodes and tell me what you think about what I have said here.
later.

From "RUNNING WITH MY EYES CLOSED" by Jill Golick

Murdoch Mysteries

Murdoch Mysteries, which premiered in Toronto last night and around the country on other nights this week, knows just what kind of a show it is and shares that information with us right up front in the teaser.

The opening episode “Power” written by RB Carney, is a typisode; just an ordinary episode of the series with no setup elements. But we don’t need them to understand exactly what this series is.

The first shot is of a man is juggling lightning bolts. A carnival atmosphere surrounds him. Smoke and flares wow the crowd in their hats, ties and long dresses. We know immediately we’re in for some light-hearted entertainment. Leave your cynicism back in the year 2008. Murdoch Mysteries is gentle, old fashioned series in which the era (late 1800s) is a pervasive and satisfying story element.

The opening has a great lick in which we are led to believe that a dog is about to be killed. The lovely wide-eyed Edna pleads with police officer George Crabtree to help her save the dog’s life. Alas, George’s hands are tied and the dog is lead onto stage where the demonstration of alternating current is designed to electrocute the poor beast.

The stakes are a dog’s life. He’s going to be killed before our very eyes. It is very compelling; you can’t help but move to the edge of your seat and worry.

And the switch is thrown. The dog is still alive! A moment of relief, until we notice that the beauty queen who threw the switch is writhing and twitching, unable to let go of the handle.

She is the one who has been electrocuted.

She is the one who has died as we watched.

It’s an incident we’ve never seen before.

The story has already given us two sharp turns and we’re not even out of the teaser. We have also already been introduced to all the major players in the episode as well as Nikola Tesla, the Serbian electrical engineer who demonstrated wireless communication way back in 1893.

The teaser immerses us in the story elements that make the show: science, mystery, romance and the peculiarities of life at the turn of the last century.

In terms of the mystery element, there is no greater master of the art of creating the mystery than Murdoch showrunner Cal Coons who has fashioned dozens and dozens of television mystery plots in his day. The series is styled in the tradition of Agatha Christie, offering up a whodunit that we can try to solve along with Murdoch. If Murdoch falters in his investigation it is only because the writers are giving us a chance to catch up.

An old fashioned solve-along murder mystery always offers up the suspects early and so does Murdoch. In this first episode, there are three possible murderers. We meet all of them in the tease. In the acts that follow, suspicion falls on one after the other as new evidence comes to light. We can play along, guessing what each new piece of evidence means and developing our own theory of the crime. The mystery is very accessible and is written to invite us in, to play along and figure it out with Murdoch, who always shares his reasoning with us.

(Link to www.jillgolick.com}
The science is cool and quirky. Science as a story element is in no way novel these days. CSI and mysteries of the a similar ilk have immersed us in cutting edge science. But Murdoch has it’s own unique take on science. It views it from a historical point of view. And the science at the turn of the last century is actually even cooler than it is now. Tesla was a man way before his time and his appearance in this first-to-air episode lets the science geeks among us know this show is for them.

But not just for them.

Because the romantic story line that plays quite prominently in this episode draws a quite different crowd to the screen. There is a beautiful sequence when Edna opens her door to find George Crabtree standing there with a pot of violets. She rebuffs his advanced until he tells her that the flowers aren’t for her. They’re for her dog. He invites the dog for a walk and begs Edna to come along as chaperone. This charming and original scene is enough to hook any fan of the chick lit genre.

And there’s one more story element in Murdoch that’s sure to please. That’s the era. The setting, in the late 1800s, infuses every element of the story. It’s not just in the costumes. The plot itself revolves around the move from direct to alternating current; an event of the time period. The way the characters interact is rooted in the time. The series seems to be written with a wide-eyed optimism; a kind of turn-of-the-last-century cheerful confidence that anything is possible and everything will turn out well. Even the dialogue has been shaped to convey an old fashioned ness.

Seeing how communication and transportation are achieved back then is pretty fascinating. In the same way we’re wowed by cutting edge science and technology in a CSI, Murdoch’s 19th century methods are really intriguing, but also funny.

We can’t help but laugh when we see Murdoch on his bike. We need to know how he will accomplish ordinary tasks without his cell phone. How is a romance conducted when the doors to a young lady’s boarding house are locked at 10 pm?

From a screenwriting point of view, I suspect the era is a real challenge and a lot of fun to work with. Murdoch certainly makes it fun to watch.

Murdoch gives us a real wealth of story elements in an anthology format. Between the science, romance, mystery, history and humour we have every reason to go back to this show week after week.
http://www.jillgolick.com

More Power tonight

Well the neat thing is that you can see the first episode again tonight at 8:00 across the country on CITY tv with the exception of Manitoba where they get to see the first episode Sunday night at 8:00. The feedback we have had has been wonderful. Not sure about the ratings yet as they will collect the data from all stations showing the first episode, so we know more by late Monday. I expect the show to build an audience over the first 6 weeks who will be quite loyal.
In the meantime I went over to the Shaftesbury office yesterday and in their front hall they had a gigantic print from the show framed and up on the main part of their entrance area. I was taken aback and happy to see it.
This is the photo that is framed and it has very large Murdoch Mysteries in gold lettering on it plus some other copy..

We're under way

I just shut off the tv and we were thrilled to see the first closing credit at the end say "Creative Consultant to the series Maureen Jennings".
It seemed to go so fast.
But really guys, next week is the big one in Glass Ceiling, that episode was the original pilot episode for the show but the powers that be decided to start with Power.
So all I can say is, " Can I have some more sir?"

PS I just got this email from Katerie so I hope she does not kill me for posting it here, thanks Katerie:

"Good evening,

I didn't know where to put this on your blog, so I thought an email would be as good.

WOW! Congratulations to your wife, this was amazing!

I loved the show from the very beginning, with the opening credits. Very intriguing and interesting.

The interaction between Will and Dr. Ogden is cute - the way he had packed a picnic at the beginning was great!

I couldn't help but notice how big his office was! Will even has a blackboard! It gives one less reason for Brackenreid to complain to Murdoch.

I loved how George called at the lady, by inviting her dog out. And he's so cute when he tries to get through the window. This actor is incredible, I've never seen him before, but I'll sure watch for him in the future. But in the book, isn't George married, with children?

And Yannick, what can I say? He's fabulous! He looks great, he is exactly what I always imagined when I read the novels, he's charming, yet he knows how to deal with suspects. I couldn't think of anybody better for this role.

Congratulations!!! Your wife wrote great books, and the result on the screen is fantastic. This series will be a winner, and I hope it will be continued for many seasons.

I just have one question, though. Compared to the books, when is the series situated? Will and Dr. Ogden get along very well, something I didn't feel before the end of the book series. There's no mention of where Will lives, or with whom, so is he still with the Kitchens? has he met Ms. Jones already? and what about Amy (didn't look for the ring, I forgot)? Sorry for all these questions, but I really loved the books, and I can't wait to see where this series will go, I'm sure it will be an amazing journey.

Have a great day!

Katerie

Spinoff detective series is smart, fast-paced fun

Toronto Globe and Mail

TELEVISION: PERIOD DRAMA: MURDOCH MYSTERIES
Spinoff detective series is smart, fast-paced fun
JOHN DOYLE
jdoyle@globeandmail.com
E-mail John Doyle | Read Bio | Latest Columns
January 24, 2008
They keep on coming, the new Canadian series.

In the past few weeks, we've been introduced to a great many new characters - cop types, lawyers, hot hockey wives, a whiny talent agent and a small army of ruggedly handsome Coast Guard fellas and their troubled but totally hot female colleagues. Me, I really, really like Tabbi on MVP, because she's so much fun, but I've just met a new favourite - one Constable George Crabtree of the Toronto Police circa 1895.

Murdoch Mysteries (CITY-TV, 10 p.m.) is where you'll find Crabtree. He's a rum chap, polite and terrifically enthusiastic about new things, like electricity and the newfangled forensics that another chap - that would be Detective William Murdoch - is using to solve crimes. Crabtree's a Newfoundlander, I suspect, and the actor who plays him, Jonny Harris, starred in Hatching, Matching & Dispatching.

Anyway, Murdoch Mysteries is a series spinoff from the three TV movies based on the historical detective novels by Maureen Jennings. The TV movies, which featured Peter Outerbridge as Murdoch, moved at a stately pace and late-19th-century Toronto looked just lovely. (The movies were made in Winnipeg while the series is mostly filmed around Hamilton.) The TV show is more fast-paced and fun.

The gist is that Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) is a go-getter on the stuffy Toronto Police Force. He believes in using science to solve crimes. This usually irritates his gruff boss, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), but intrigues pathologist Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), who becomes his essential sidekick. Crabtree just happens to come in handy but also happens to steal the scenes.

The nifty part of the series is the sense of humour and cheerful sense of time and place, without getting all Masterpiece Theatre about it. And, of course, there's a mystery to be solved. Tonight's opening episode involves electricity. One form of electrical current is being demonstrated in public (a dog will be electrocuted and that brings out angry members of the Toronto Humane Society) and things go awry. What happens is that the newly crowned Miss Toronto Electric and Light meets an untimely end.

Soon enough, Murdoch is poking around the case and has much interaction with a certain inventor, Nikola Tesla (Dimitry Chepovetsky, doing a lovely turn) whose alternating current system is at the heart of some controversy. The use of the Tesla figure is shrewd as it sets up all the points needed for the series - in 1895, the world is changing and some are at the forefront, while others foolishly resist change. Murdoch is not exactly Gil Grissom of CSI, but the use of the science-and-technology angle is very well crafted.

Murdoch Mysteries - tonight's episode is written by R.B. Carney and directed by Farhad Mann - is charming entertainment, sweetly satisfying and undemanding, but clearly not made with an airhead audience in mind. Bisson is good as Murdoch, a stiff fellow in many ways, and yet cutting-edge when it counts. But that Constable Crabtree, he's a caution. A scene in which he calls on a lady is absolutely priceless.


From Me - John Doyle is hands down the toughest television critic in the country. Thanks John we appreciate the nice review

Video preview and an interview with Yannick

Copy and paste this link exactly, scroll down and press play

http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=1569&cpvid=1


Let me know what you think eh???

‘Murdoch’ celebrates old-fashioned detective work

By Melissa Hank

2008-01-22

New period drama ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ debuts
Just think of it as "CSI: Unplugged". Literally.

Citytv’s new detective drama Murdoch Mysteries is set in 1890s Toronto, before the widespread use of electricity, before fancy police methods like fingerprinting, and way before CSI: Miami's Horatio Caine ever uttered his first corny one-liner.

The series is based on Maureen Jennings’ mystery novels of the same name, and offers a refreshingly low-tech approach to a genre that’s too-often full of dizzying quick-cuts and technical mumbo jumbo. (Who uses “micro-spectro photometry” in everyday speech, anyway?)

“Crime dramas have been focusing on technology lately,” says Yannick Bisson, who stars as Detective William Murdoch. “We do some of that, but we also focus on the relationships of the characters. At the end of the day, it’s good old-fashioned police work and intuitiveness that wins out.”

That’s not to say the police squad runs around in Flintstones-like patrol cars, collecting blisters on their feet.

“We do introduce some forensics techniques, even by accident sometimes,” says Bisson. “There are things like how the expression ‘tracing a call’ came to be. One of our characters goes to the telephone exchange and has someone trace back over a map of the city where the exchangers would have routed that call.

“I find that interesting – a lot more interesting than litmus paper and DNA testing.”

The series’ costuming and cinematography also set it apart. Lush scenery from places like Dundas, Ont., are juxtaposed with images of brutal deaths.

“There’s something for everyone,” the Sue Thomas F.B. Eye alum says. “We’re building a new Murdoch across the board – the style, the feel, the visual. The drama is now offset by some levity.

“And putting on the suit and being on the sets make your job a lot easier. You definitely feel like you’re jumping back into time.”

Rounding out Murdoch’s circle of colleagues are the skeptical Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig, Coronation Street), forward-thinking pathologist Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy, Durham County), and inexperienced Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris, Hatching, Matching and Dispatching).

But, says Bisson, there’s more to the series than open-and-closed cases and Victorian-era niceties. Seeping underneath the plots are references to the “science vs. religion” debate and divisive social issues.

“Murdoch is a conflicted guy,” says Bisson. “On one hand he has a strong religious upbringing, and on the other he’s a man of science, a progressive thinker. That brings a bit of tension to him.”

He adds, “We do deal with some of the polarizing issues that we still deal with today as a society, like socio-economic classes, glass ceilings and sexual preference. We tackle them through 1890s Murdoch’s eyes, and it adds a whole other dimension.”

And there's nary a pair of Horatio Caine sunglasses in sight.


Murdoch Mysteries debuts Thursday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m., and Sunday Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. on Citytv Winnipeg.

melissa@tvguide.ca



The Yannick Bisson Mystery
Source: AOL
Posted: 01/21/08 11:23AM
Filed Under: Television

By SORAYA ROBERTS

One of Canada’s best kept secrets stars in ‘The Murdoch Mysteries’


Yannick Bisson in 'The Murdoch Mysteries.' (Citytv)
Yannick Bisson is good looking. He’s so good looking, in fact, that the press release for his new show, ‘The Murdoch Mysteries,’ feels the need to mention it. Publicists usually avoid talking about the talent’s attractivenes - it tends to be a given in the industry - but there’s something about Bisson that makes you weak in the knees. Maybe it’s his long eyelashes or his thin-as-a-slip lips, or perhaps it’s that really cute speech impediment he has never been able to shake since he first started out in ‘Hockey Night,’ but he's, well, hot. Canadian hot, but hot nonetheless.

In 'Murdoch,' Bisson plays the "good-looking" detective William Murdoch, who solves Clue-like crimes in late 19th century Toronto. The actor says the show's social commentary is what attracted him to the role, but also that his character is torn between two worlds. “The character of Murdoch is conflicted in a lot of ways because he’s a man of science and also a religious man,” Bisson says. “Science and religion at the time were very much at opposites, that’s probably the biggest part of [the show] that I liked.”

It's hard to imagine that a sports junkie like Bisson has anything in common with the cerebral detective he plays, but they do share one important quality. “Murdoch’s very methodical,” says Bisson. “In that way I’m like him, but probably a lot less organized.” Protocol seems to be what Bisson looks for when choosing roles. He has worked as a cop on ‘The Dresden Files’ (2007), ‘The Pretender 2001’ and, in his most high profile role to date, for three years as Jack Hudson on ‘Susan F.B. Eye.’

Anyone who decided to turn the tables on him and start investigating Bisson would have their work cut out for them. The actor's online trail is slim if notable at all, despite the fact that he has been acting since he was 14 (he is now 38). IMDB does reveal that he is married to an actress, Chantal Craig-Bisson, and has three daughters, Brianna, Dominique and Mikaela. He also has a couple of dogs, which I only know because they were “speaking” during our interview. “I’m a private person,” Bisson explains. “I don’t go too far out of my way to do publicity other than publicity for specific projects.”

Bisson says he’s "a family guy," likes construction and has built “several” of his houses. He’s an avid mountain biker and skier and plays hockey. He also spends time defending himself from his kids, who mercilessly make fun of his celebrity fan site, Yannick Bisson Online. Speaking of his kids, they apparently swear like sailors. "There's something personal about me - I swear a lot,” Bisson says, when I ask if his role in 'Undergrads' (he plays a character who speaks in bleeps) was a stretch. “My kids all do too. If it’s the worst thing they do, who cares.”

The mystery of Yannick Bisson may never be fully solved, but it's nice to know he's willing to humour us with some clues.

'The Murdoch Mysteries' premieres January 24 at 10pm on CityTV.

'CSI' meets Sherlock Holmes in 'Murdoch Mysteries,' debuting Thursday

By Victoria Ahearn

THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO -- Before viewers start questioning the historical accuracy of the Victorian-era Canadian series "Murdoch Mysteries" debuting Thursday on Citytv, star Yannick Bisson has something to share.

"Absolutely, unapologetically there are definitely embellishments," the Montreal-born Bisson, who plays the sharp super-sleuth Det. William Murdoch on the show, said in a recent interview.

"You know, there's a point at which there's a lie detector that gets invented. Well, you know, whether that was the first lie detector, who knows, but it makes for an interesting story point."

The series, based on Toronto author Maureen Jennings's mystery novels and the three "Murdoch Mysteries" TV movies, is set in 1895 Toronto and gives a fascinating glimpse into the way crimes were solved at the time.

Bisson's character has a vast knowledge of science and forensic techniques, many of which he taught himself, and is a great admirer of real-life inventor and physicist Nikola Tesla and of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes" novels.

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes an appearance as the author, as the man, and he actually says, `You know, I grow tired of Sherlock -- and you my friend William Murdoch, you are the future,"' said Bisson.

Each episode gives viewers "interesting little history lessons" into 19th-century law enforcement, said Bisson.
"Things like `What does it mean to trace a call?' you know, fingermarks now known as fingerprints ... everyday things -- `How come the lights in our home are powered by electricity?' " said Bisson, 38, who lives in Toronto with his wife and three daughters.

The techniques and tools used and invented by the fictional Murdoch on the show were very much a part of that time period, but not necessarily in 1895, said Bisson. "(The show) takes some liberties, but we have a lot of fun," he said.

The series is filmed in Toronto and surrounding cities but has a broad appeal, said Bisson. Billed as Sherlock Holmes meets "CSI," it has even been picked up in England where it's scheduled to start airing Feb. 19 on UKTV.

"British people are such fans of the murder mystery genre, they don't care that I'm not British," said Bisson, who played FBI agent Jack Hudson on the crime drama series "Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye."

Bisson's other crime-fighting role was alongside actor-musician Rick Springfield on the campy American TV surfer mystery series "High Tide" that ran for four seasons in the 1990s.

Bisson said he and Springfield are still "very good friends" and he's heard many stories about the singer's loyal fanbase.

"He's a rock star and I certainly got to benefit from that because we were on a show together, but it never ceases to amaze me some of the things that people do and say," said Bisson.

"Some of the things that they send him, you know, send him birthday presents and jewelry, all kinds of stuff. I mean, I'm sure I don't know half of it, that's just what he's told me about, but they show up at all of his shows and they just love him, and one should be so lucky."

New Photos up at Shaftesbury website

(photo courtesy Shaftesbury Films)
Go and take a look on their website at shots from the first episode. Please do not ask them for a password for download as that is for the press.
Just click on photos and it will display a gallery.
Copy and paste this link
http://www.shaftesbury.org/sh_index.asp

From the Toronto Sun, The Calgary Sun, Winnipeg Sun, and Ottawa Sun and every Sun newspaper across Canada

Canadian television no longer a mystery

By BILL HARRIS

Canadians should take a look in the mirror if they don't like what's on TV, according to Yannick Bisson.

"We're the No. 1 importer of U.S. programming in the world, so if there's nothing good on TV, we've got ourselves to blame, you know?" said Bisson, an affable veteran Canadian actor and the star of Citytv's new take on Murdoch Mysteries.

"Let me throw a little gas onto that fire. There's roughly $500 million a year that gets spent on television programming here in Canada and only $70 million of that is spent on Canadian programming. That's quite a disparity and I'm glad what's going on now may shed some light on it."

What's going on now, of course, is the TV and film writers strike in the United States. Bisson is very proud of Murdoch Mysteries, and even though he feels badly for anyone impacted by the strike, he knows this is a unique opportunity for Canadian programming actually to win the hearts of Canadians.

"Funny enough, the American shows I did toward the end of 2007 already were slated and written by Canadians, so it didn't really affect anything for me in that way," said the 38-year-old Bisson, whose previous credits include Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye. "And then as far as Murdoch, well, it sure bodes well for us that people are starting to look closely at our work up here.

"Hopefully it will have some people looking at it who wouldn't necessarily have looked otherwise."

Set in 1895 Toronto, Murdoch Mysteries explores the world of William Murdoch (Bisson), a dashing young detective who uses then-radical forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting and trace evidence, to solve the city's most gruesome murders. Call it a 19th-century version of CSI.

Bisson admitted the genre of period-piece detective shows -- which have a very devoted cult following -- was something new to him.

"I always have held shows like the Sherlock Holmes stuff and Poirot and things like that in high esteem, but I always imagined it was reserved for established British actors," Bisson said. "This is unique in that it's set in Canada.

"And the strange thing is, the Brits are nuts about it. They have a big stake in the show and they did a lot of promotion already for it. So there you go, we're breaking all kinds of precedents."

Earlier movie-of-the-week versions of Murdoch Mysteries, which is based on novels by Maureen Jennings, starred Peter Outerbridge (ReGenesis). Bisson and Outerbridge, as it turns out, are friends.

"Yeah, I had a look at one of those versions when my agent first talked to me about this show -- it's Peter's agent as well," Bisson said. "I obviously respect Peter a ton, so I watched it and I thought, 'Gee, whoever does this is going to be a really lucky guy.' "

The rest is history, so to speak.

Murdoch Mysteries debuts January 27th the Citytv affiliate in Winnipeg, and Thursday on the Citytv affiliates in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Star Week cover

Dear Friends, the culmination of 10 years of hard work by my wife with her terrific novels, a producer in Shaftesbury Films and Christina Jennings who believed in Maureen's work back in 2000 and saw this show in her mind when no one wanted to touch a period piece, lots of contributors like Canadian Television Fund, Peter Outerbridge our first Murdoch who because he was in another series we had to recast with our new star Yannick Bisson.
Yannick Bisson threw his heart and soul into the part which you will see when you watch, Diane Boehme who is the broadcaster and believed in this show from the beginning when CITY television got involved (2001), Cal Coons who believed in Murdoch on TV and introduced the novels to Christina before I brought the books to her, and all the hard working souls who brought this about. UKTV/SKY who broadcast the first three movies of the week to record ratings for them at that time, and Granada International our distributor who also invested heavily in the project.
We have the world premiere this Thursday night on CITY TV Toronto and across the country, and in the UK on February 19th. Hope you get to see the show and love it as much as Maureen and I do.
Here's the cover from the largest circulation newspaper in Canada, The Saturday Toronto Star weekly magazine for television.
Cheers
Iden Ford
PS.Oh yeah, I almost forgot a special thanks to Ruth Cavin from St Martins Press who gave Maureen her start, and to this day we love like a member of our family, long live Ruth C.

Phew!! Reviews starting to come in . . . and they are GREAT!!!

Calgary Herald Today -
Page sw18

Murdoch Mysteries
CSI withdrawal got you down? This new show is just the thing to perk you up. Despite being set in 1895, rather than the neon jungle of Vegas, this Canuck series also revolves around forensic police work, including the good ol' pathology lab. Odd-man-out Det. William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) relies on new-fangled techniques such as fingerprints and trace evidence to track down evildoers in Victorian Toronto. And with 13 episodes of this well-done series in the can, you won't be wanting for fresh cadavers any time soon. Monday, City, Ch. 8, 8 p.m.


Toronto Globe and Mail
Television: THURSDAY: 7 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT
CRITIC'S CHOICE

HENRIETTA WALMARK
January 18, 2008

MURDOCH MYSTERIES
CITY-TV, 10 p.m.

The Detective Murdoch Mysteries, a trio of TV movies starring Peter Outerbridge as a police investigator in Victorian Toronto, were well received when the first film launched in 2004. Now, the stylish period thrillers based on Maureen Jennings's mystery novels are back in the form of a series. Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye) stars as Detective William Murdoch, whose unconventional forensic techniques are mocked by fellow officers and greeted with skepticism by his boss, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), but fascinate pathologist Julie Ogden (Helene Joy), who becomes a valuable ally. Often the only one able to solve some pretty gruesome cases, Murdoch also has a confidant in young but keen Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris). Tonight's premiere episode is as much a wild science lesson as it is a classic mystery replete with red herrings and romantic entanglements. Centred on an electric rivalry between Thomas Edison's direct current and Nikola Tesla's alternating current, a public demonstration meant to discredit Tesla leaves a beautiful young woman dead by electrocution. Eventually Murdoch recruits Tesla to assist him in his investigation, setting up several scenes that simply crackle - thanks largely to Dimitry Chepovetsky, who brings a manic energy to the role of the Serbian inventor and electrical engineer.


Please note a slight schedule change for Winnipeg. Here is the final broadcast times for the first season:


World Premiere!
Citytv Toronto: Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m. ET
Citytv Winnipeg: Sunday, January 27 at 8 p.m. CT
Citytv Calgary: Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m. MT
Citytv Edmonton: Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m. MT
Citytv Vancouver: Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m. P

A few more for you

I switched to Firefox as my browser and was able to view the clip which is so funny. Jonny Harris is a riot and he is great as Crabtree.
Here's a few more shots for you. This was one fun party which I thoroughly enjoyed except for the fact that my wife was not there. But she is better today! Moving well and in less pain. Oh another of Maria Del Mar so you can see what I mean. Oh yes those are DR. Ogden's shoes in real life!!.

Cut and paste this link

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18685.aspx

Is this the Wizard of Oz?

As you can see they were putting images from the show up on a curtain in the background of the room we had the launch party for Murdoch Mysteries season one. The press were there, the actors were there, I was there, the producer was there, and many of the people behind the scenes were there. It was a kind of nervous excitement that was flying around. You see me with Diane Boehme who is the big cheese from CITY TV and who wanted our show 7 years ago!!! She has the long curly hair and without Diane and her belief in the project there would be no Murdoch Mysteries, so thank you again Diane!!. You also see me with "the" Charlotte Sullivan who is one of the hottest female stars on tv in Canada right now, not hard to see why, and she is in the rowing episode, Still Waters.
That is also Maria Del Mar with Don McBreardy our director on four episodes and who plays a psychic in two episodes, Elementary and Bad Medicine. Maria is writing down the details about the Christine books, she is PHENOMENAL in our show and Maureen and I would give anything to have her play Christine in the other tv series. She is the right age and wait til you see her in Murdoch. We love Maria Del Mar and think her fantastic.
There is a lot more to tell you but you can figure out who is who from the photos. I am tired and have to go to bed. More on the event tomorrow.

Please do not call Shaftesbury Films and ask to attend the Thursday event

Everybody, this is an event for the press and invited guests. I put up the photo to show you the poster that went out to invited guests and put it at the bottom of the press release.
Shaftesbury has been receiving calls from some of the blog readers and it is clear that the event is for the press.
SO if you want me to keep sharing this stuff, do not bombard them if you please and thank you.
Iden

More News - it just keeps coming!!

On Wednesday, Jan. 16th you can catch Yannick Bisson LIVE on Breakfast Television (BT) in Toronto sometime between 8:00-8:30am talking about Murdoch Mysteries. He has been out west this week doing promo and also The Toronto Star TV magazine
the Starweek will be out this weekend and Murdoch Mysteries will be the cover story.

Shaftesbury Films celebrates the launch of Murdoch Mysteries with a cocktail party at the Windsor Arms Hotel this Thursday, January 17 from 6-8 PM

Attention TV/Book/Entertainment/Assignment Editors and Photo Desks:

TORONTO, Jan. 15 /CNW/ - To toast the premiere of its one-hour drama series Murdoch Mysteries, starring Yannick Bisson, Shaftesbury Films will host a cocktail reception this Thursday, January 17 from 6-8pm at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Murdoch Mysteries launches in Toronto on Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m. on Citytv.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
------------------
What: Murdoch Mysteries launch party
When: Thursday, January 17 from 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas Street
Who: Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson, Hélène Joy and Jonny Harris, as well as Kate Trotter (The Jane Show); Dmitry
Chepovetsky (ReGenesis), Teresa Pavlinek (The Jane Show), Joel Keller (Blue Murder), Maria del Mar (Terminal City) and more

Based on Maureen Jennings's critically acclaimed Detective Murdoch Mystery novels, Murdoch Mysteries is set in 1895 Toronto, and explores the intriguing world of William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), a handsome young detective using radical forensic techniques to solve some of the city's most gruesome murders. Murdoch's small circle of confidantes includes pathologist Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy), a staunch ally who shares the detective's fascination with forensic science, and Constable George Crabtree (Jonny Harris), Murdoch's eager but inexperienced right-hand man. Though his unconventional approach elicits skepticism from his boss, Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig), Murdoch is often the only one who can crack the
case.
Murdoch Mysteries is developed and produced by Shaftesbury Films, produced in association with Citytv, a division of Rogers Media Inc., Granada International and UKTV, and with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit and the,Canadian Television Fund.

Okay Everybody - The Murdoch Website has launched!

copy and paste this link and enjoy

http://www.citytv.com/micro/murdochmysteries/

Let me know what you think

Maureen is home

The healing has begun. It is challenging but we will work it out. I was putting together a new bed last night at 9:30 and it is beautiful. She has two canes and of course is frustrated as hell, but in a few weeks I know it will all be worth it.
Jacob (young William Murdoch in Let Loose the Dogs) and his Mom came by to the hospital in a surprise visit and it was fun for them and Maureen. I should have lots of Murdoch news for you on Friday

Maureen is walking some Photography stuff and Jacob Ewaniuk

Bit of pain after the walk but she got into her clothes today. We are all set up at home, just one day more of prep tomorrow at home to get a few more things ready for her and barring complications I will pick her up on Monday.
When the hospital staff found out who she was today, I brought a copy of the invitation to the big event next Thursday, she had some visitors and it turns out some of them are big fans of hers and did not think it was the same Maureen Jennings?
Funny eh?
Small world though, the mother of the young actor Jacob Ewamiuk., who plays the young seven year old William Murdoch in the episode of Let Loose the Dogs, was in the same room visiting her aunt. When she saw the invitation which I printed up on a bigger paper, she was thrilled that Maureen was in the same room as her aunt who has just had a knee replacement. So they had big visit.
Small world.
Now it was recommended to me by a friend to join Facebook for promo of my photography services.
So I did, and I got my first enquiry for a job to shoot some baked goods for Valentines day.
The problem most people don't understand is that when you hire a professional photographer, it costs money.
So to shoot this small job I said $200. Two hours work. No reply.
You can have an amateur job or a pro job and it shows when you display your product.
Typically I would charge between $300 and $450 for portrait work of family portfolios
But a commercial job is $100 per hour including post processing and creating files that you can either print or put on the web.
I travel as well if someone wants to pay my expenses.
So any Facebook readers out there who want a "real" photographer. There it is.

Coming home on Monday

Life is upside down. I am supposed to be going back to school this week and shooting an assignment. My energy, interest, focus and adreniline is totally devoted to helping my wife at the moment.
I know life will be back to normal soon.
Three hours of moving furniture and books and shelves into the basement this morning so I could rearrange the bedroom for a new headboard and frame which elevates the bed a bit higher, a must for an hip replacement. The bed frame arrives on Sunday
I also got a new flat screen TV (Toshiba 40") which I am setting up temporarily in our living room and then the whole thing goes into our bedroom including a small Bose sound system.
We go to bed early so to watch The Murdoch Mysteries at 10:00, we gotta have tv in the bedroom, end of story.
Shaftesbury Films sent Maureen a beautiful flower arrangement today and it is now at home as the hospital room has no space.
DId I tell you that we heard from a German publisher who actually produced and sold 20,000 copies of Except the Dying and never told us or paid us??
We are now getting a handsome cheque from them and I heard today that I have to send them a damn tax exemption form in order to get paid. Fortunately we have one from a while back so that is good because i am probably spending 1/3rd of it on Parking at the hospital as I go in and out all day.
I pick Maureen up on Monday morning, such a miracle. Her leg is swollen but she can walk with a walker and should be able to walk with two canes by Monday. Astonishing but true.