Calling all crime drama fans! Minnie Driver's "gripping" series The Murder Line is heading to a new UK streamer after dividing viewers in Canada.
Originally titled The Borderline overseas, the six-parter first premiered on Canadian streamer Crave. The series follows a police officer who uncovers evidence linking his best friend to a criminal case. As he attempts to protect him, he must also stay one step ahead of a "ruthless" British crime family led by Minnie Driver's May Ferguson.
The show marks another TV project for Minnie Driver, whose recent crime thriller Run Away proved a hit on Netflix. Created by Graeme Stewart, The Murder Line is set to land on ITV and ITVX in the UK this spring, while a US distributor has yet to be announced.
While reactions in Canada were mixed, The Murder Line has all the ingredients to attract a fresh audience of crime drama fans in the UK and US when it hits screens. Keep reading to find out more about the show, which also stars Stephen Amell and Hamza Haq…
What is The Murder Line about?
Set in the Canadian province of Ontario, the six-parter follows Officer Henry Roland, a cop from "the wrong side of the tracks" who teeters beyond the line of duty to help his childhood friend.
The synopsis continues: "When his plan backfires, his carefully constructed life begins to collapse, thrusting him into a dangerous collision course with backstabbing criminals, suspicious colleagues and vulnerable civilians who need him more than ever.
"Set against the backdrop of a quiet riverside town in the Thousand Islands, officer Henry Roland (Amell), finds evidence linking a case of missing illegal substances to his childhood best friend, Tommy Hawley (Haq ), with whom he shares a dark secret.
"As Henry embarks on a mission to save his friend, a ruthless British crime family, led by matriarch May Ferguson (Driver), is also on the hunt for the drugs and Tommy.
What have the creatives said about The Murder Line?
Speaking to Deadline upon the show's announcement back in 2024, Bell Media's Justin Stockman said: "With exceptional creative vision from Graeme Stewart, Aaron Martin and Robert Budreau, and rich, multi-dimensional characters, the series delivers a gripping narrative that we know will resonate deeply with all audiences."
Who stars in The Murder Line?
Stephen Amell (Arrow, Suits L.A.) leads the show as Henry, while Minnie Driver (Run Away) plays May and Hamza Haq (Transplant) is Tommy Hawley.
They're joined by Tamara Podemski, Katia Edith Wood, Jeremy Watson and Kate Corbett. Rounding out the cast are Anna Douglas, Thomas Craig, Christopher Heyerdahl and Diego Klattenhoff.
What did Canadian audiences say about The Murder Line?
The show had a lukewarm response from viewers, and while it doesn't yet have a rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a handful of viewers took to IMDb to share their thoughts. One viewer critiqued the storyline, which they felt was never fully formed: "I'm four episodes in and have put it on 2x speed to get to the point of whatever this strung-together plot is."
Meanwhile, another penned: "Was it supposed to be a comedy? Was it supposed to be serious? I don't know. But, it's neither. I watched all six episodes in one sitting and it's not as bad as people are saying." A third added: "If you like Stephen Amell, you might like this… The establishing shots of the Thousand Islands area of Ontario were by far the best parts of this show."
Where to watch The Murder Line
The show, known as The Borderline in Canada, is available to watch on Crave and CTV and will be landing on Stan in Australia on 13 March. It has also been picked up for international distribution and will land as The Murder Line on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK in April. A US release date is yet to be announced.
