After airing for two summers on ABC, the US network decided not to pick up the Motive TV show for a third season, effectively cancelling it for American viewers.
However, the series is produced in Canada and the CTV network renewed it for a third and fourth season anyway. The fourth season has just completed filming and will begin airing on March 22nd.
The fourth season cast includes Kristin Lehman, Louis Ferreira, Brendan Penny, and Lauren Holly. Guests will include Jon Heder, Will Sasso, and Tommy Flanagan.
It’s now been revealed that the police drama is ending and there won’t be a fifth season.
Here’s the press release:
Killer Ending: Final Season of CTV’s Hit Crime Drama MOTIVE Premieres March 22
– Season 4 of original Canadian drama wraps production today in Vancouver –
– Season 4 guest stars include Jon Heder, Will Sasso, and Tommy Flanagan –
– CraveTVTM First Look available March 21, the day before CTV’s broadcast premiere, with Seasons 1-3 streaming now –VANCOUVER (February 12, 2016) – CTV announced today that multiple Canadian Screen Award nominee MOTIVE is set to face its last round of investigations, as the series returns for its fourth and final season Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 22 on CTV and CTV GO, following a CraveTV First Look starting March 21. Wrapping production today in Vancouver, the final season brings the story of the series’ dynamic homicide team to a powerful conclusion as they continue to explore what drives the motive behind the murder in 13 unforgettable new episodes. MOTIVE was nominated last month for nine Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Dramatic Series.
In the final season, each member of the homicide team faces pivotal choices about their future, as they set on a course of deciding what they want their legacies to be. Canadian Screen Award nominee Kristin Lehman (THE KILLING) returns as Detective Angie Flynn, who leads the team through a season of big change and evolution: Detective Oscar Vega’s (Louis Ferreira, BREAKING BAD, SGU STARGATE UNIVERSE) new role as Staff Sergeant means adjustments for everyone; Angie and Detective Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny, THE ASSISTANTS) develop a deeper bond; Dr. Betty Rogers (Lauren Holly, NCIS), who is personally involved with Vega, must now mind the boundaries of her personal and professional relationship; and new detectives are introduced to the team.
Building on its roster of incredible guest stars throughout the series, Season 4 of MOTIVE continues to showcase a fantastic line up of seasoned actors with appearances from Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite); Will Sasso (SHAMELESS); and Tommy Flanagan (SONS OF ANARCHY), who guest stars in a recurring role as Interpol Agent Jack Stoker.
“We’re proud to have had the privilege of bringing this compelling and innovative crime format series to CTV audiences for the past three seasons.” Said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV.
“MOTIVE is primed to leave an indelible mark on the Canadian television industry and its creative family here at CTV,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “Both clever and cinematic, each episode is exceptionally well-written with smart performances from its ensemble cast. Lark Productions, Foundation Features, and the series’ creative team led by showrunner Dennis Heaton have delivered a dynamic final season.”
“We are grateful to our broadcast partners at CTV for four incredible seasons of MOTIVE,” said Executive Producers Louise Clark and Rob Merilees. “Thanks to the exceptional talent and efforts of our writers, cast and production team, we are thrilled to conclude our finest season to date. Season 4 builds towards its conclusion with even more compelling performances and intriguing cases.”
MOTIVE also stars Victor Zinck Jr. (THE 100) and Karen LeBlanc (CRACKED), who join this season as new detectives on the series’ homicide team.
In the Season 4 premiere, entitled “The Vanishing Policeman” (Tuesday, March 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO), while Detective Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman) and Staff Sergeant Vega (Louis Ferreira) adjust to his new role, the suicide of an officer with whom Angie and Detective Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny) worked on a crime scene turns the team’s investigation into a hunt for a cop killer.
CTV’s top Canadian Screen Awards nominee for two consecutive years, MOTIVE once again garnered nine nominations for the upcoming CSAs, including Best Dramatic Series and Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. Season 3 was watched by an average audience of 1.2 million viewers, a 15% increase over Season 1, landing the series among the Top 4 most-watched Canadian dramas last season. All past episodes of MOTIVE are streaming now on CraveTV™.
MOTIVE is produced by Lark Productions and Foundation Features in association with Bell Media. Executive Producers are Dennis Heaton (CALL ME FITZ, Fido), who also serves as the Season 4 showrunner; series creator Daniel Cerone (DEXTER, THE BLACKLIST); Louise Clark (CORNER GAS, HIGH MOON); Rob Merilees (Stone of Destiny, Brain on Fire); Erin Haskett (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF VANCOUVER); Rob LaBelle (MENTAL); Lindsay Macadam (Brain on Fire); and Ben Brafman (PERSON OF INTEREST, DEFYING GRAVITY). The series is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal International.
For Bell Media, Michele McMahon and Kathleen Meek are Production Executives; Tom Hastings is Director, Drama, Independent Production; and Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, CTV Networks and CraveTV. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media.
Source : Numeris Sep. 22, 2014 – Sep. 13, 2015, final data.
What do you think? Do you like the Motive TV show? Would you like to see the complete series air in the United States?
I cannot believe this show was cancelled, the cast was great, the writing
Was great, why do they always get rid of the good shows
Please bring it back !!!!
Great show, miss it a lot. Just did not like the attitude shown towards “Lucas” most times by Detectives Flynn and Vega … kind of sad !!!
A great program….upset at this decision!
Yes. Loved the show.
As a law enforcement professional for over 35 years, I was extremely disappointed that Motive had fallen to the same fate as an equally excellent series, “The Wire”. Motive successfully portrayed the actors, plot, and interpersonal relationships of law enforcement personnel. The show nailed all of these aspects. Please bring this show back.
I agree completely! This show was perfect in every way
US TC is full of reality crap. Good shows, like Motive, get cqn called while two broke girls still airs.
Whenever there happens to be a well written program on tv, it will get cut after a short period. But a dumb, mindless program will last forever. Smh. I would love to see someone with the brains and b***s bring this program back.
Yes, this show was really good. I definitely would like to see it go on to season five, please ????
I wish they hadn’t cancelled this show. I just rediscovered it several months ago. After previously thinking it was cancelled after the second season, I was elated to learn it was continuing on. Way to crush the hope and joy, CTV!
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Why did they cancel this show? I don’t understand. If it had such great ratings, then why??? I really loved this show. It’s really a shame.
i to like this show and i have three sisters that also watched . just like you said, when we get a good programme, they seem to cancel after such nice comments from viewers.
I can’t believe Motive is no longer watched. The series was unique and actors were compelling. Overall a fabulous series. I miss seeing this show in anything other than reruns. Such a shame. Hoping it will be brought back to life.
A shame it’s being cancelled. This was actually a really good series unlike a lot of crappie on TV today
This is my most favorite show. I love the format, the story lines, and the actors. Why is the show cancelled? It’s one of the best cop shows on television. I’m addicted to it and now it’s going away? Nothing wonderful lasts forever.
With all the crap being aired right now, why did they have to cancel a great show like Motive!!
I don’t think they should of cancelled it I love this show now I will not see the other season unless they put it on Netflix I don’t think the network thinks of the people at all just there pockes