Corus Entertainment’s Global and U.S. network Fox have ordered the psychological crime drama Murder in a Small Town for the 2024-25 broadcast season.

The series is being spearheaded by executive producer and head writer Ian Weir (Arctic Air, Edgemont) for Vancouver-based Sepia Films, led by Tina Pehme and Kim Roberts, in association with Fox Entertainment and Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment.

The show is based on L.R. Wright’s acclaimed nine-book Karl Alberg series and stars Rossif Sutherland Kristin and Kreuk. It follows the titular character (played by Sutherland), who moves to a quiet coastal town to escape the stress of big-city police work, but soon discovers that the seemingly idyllic town harbours dark secrets, and he must use his detective skills to solve a series of murders.

Murder in a Small Town will be shot in B.C., with Milan Cheylov (24) serving as the executive producer and director for multiple episodes. Other credits include executive producers Nick Orchard (Soapbox Productions), Morris Ruskin and Sharon Wisnia (Mojo Global Arts), as well as Jon Cotton. Fox has acquired all U.S. rights for the show, with Global picking up Canadian rights. ITV has acquired international rights, a spokesperson for Sepia Films tells Playback Daily.

“With Vancouver’s Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk cast and the gripping source material, Murder in a Small Town will be a fantastic addition to Global’s 2024-2025 season and many more exciting details are still to come,” said  Troy Reeb, EVP, networks and content, in a statement to Playback.

“Murder in a Small Town illustrates our ongoing strategy to identify and commission impactful global content in a smart and effective manner with proven creative partners, all of which we have found in Ian, Milan, Sepia Films and Future Shack,” added Michael Thorn, Fox Entertainment’s president, scripted programming.

Fox Entertainment unveiled a licensing and distribution deal with Bell Media in October, which will see the broadcasters partner on simulcast content out of Canada.

With files from Kelly Townsend

Image courtesy of Fox Entertainment