Season of the Small Screen: CBC
by Staff
(September 11, 2019 – Toronto, ON) While we are now firmly into film festival season, action on the small screen also heats up once the kids go back to school, the bills from summer vacations arrive and the weather makes sitting in front of “the box” more fun than raking leaves. CBC has a slate of new and returning shows on the main CBC network and the CBC Gem streaming service. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
The 2019 fall season starts on what the CBC calls Mystery Mondays when Murdoch Mysteries launches its 13th season on September 16 at 8:00pm. Fans can look forward to 18 episodes led by Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson, pictured above). Murdoch Mysteries is one of 32 CBC series returning this fall.
Frankie Drake Mysteries follows one hour later with its third season. Ten 60-minute episodes feature Lauren Lee Smith in the title role supported by an ensemble cast that includes Chantel Riley, Sharron Matthews and Rebecca Liddiard.
Sticking with drama series, Heartland ties Murdoch Mysteries for longevity when its 13th season launches the first of 10 new episodes on Sunday September 22 at 7:00pm. This multi-generational family drama holds the record as the longest running one-hour drama in Canadian television history.
Anne with an E stars Amybeth McNulty as Anne Shirley and has become a favourite. It returns for its third season following Heartland also with 10 new 60-minute episodes.
For longevity, the winner has to be The Nature of Things when it launches its 59th season on September 20. Other long-running series returning this fall include season 46 of Marketplace (8:00pm September 27); season 45 of The Fifth Estate (9:00pm September 22); season 27 of the comedy/satire series This Hour Has 22 Minutes (8:30pm, September 27).
Relatively new shows that have quickly become must watch series include season 4 of the Baroness Von Sketch Show returning at 9:30pm on September 17. The show stars Carolyn Taylor, Meredith MacNeill, Aurora Browne and Jennifer Whalen. Aurora Browne and Carolyn Taylor join forces as the new hosts of The Great Canadian Baking Show when season 3 of that show begins on September 18.
Happy watching.
