Frankie Drake Mysteries was cancelled earlier this year by CBC in Canada, but Ovation viewers in the United States will now be able to see the end of the series. The cable channel has picked up the final season of the drama, as well as a musical special. Both will air in the fall.
Lauren Lee Smith and Chantel Riley star in the series which follows Drake, the first female detective in 1920s Toronto. Ovation revealed more about the special and the final season of Frankie Drake Mysteries in a press release.
“Ovation TV, America’s only arts network, has acquired the U.S. broadcast rights for the fourth season of Frankie Drake Mysteries from DCD Rights. As part of the network’s Mystery Alley programming block, the deal includes the fourth season (10×60’) of the drama series as well as a musical special titled Frankie Drake Mysteries: Music at Midnight (1×60’) featuring the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO). The announcement was made today by Scott Woodward, EVP Programming and Production, Ovation.
Set in 1920s Toronto, the series follows the adventures of Frankie Drake (Lauren Lee Smith) and her partner Trudy Clarke (Chantel Riley) at Drake Private Detectives, the city’s only all-female detective agency, as they find themselves fighting crime in the age of flyboys, gangsters, rumrunners, and speakeasies. Season four of Frankie Drake Mysteries opens with our intrepid detectives and their best gal pals, Mary Shaw (Rebecca Liddiard) and Flo Chakowitz (Sharron Matthews), traipsing through the woods on a scavenger hunt that quickly turns deadly. From the wilderness to the world of high society, from an underground cabaret to a candy factory, Frankie and Trudy investigate murders, kidnappings, heists and poisonings. Using her position as a morality officer, Mary’s able to snoop through police files and be privy to non-civilian discussions, while Flo lends a hand with autopsy reports, science experiments, and her newly acquired medical skills.
Frankie Drake Mysteries: Music at Midnight is a coproduction from Ovation TV, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), and Shaftesbury featuring performances from series stars Chantel Riley and Sharron Matthews alongside series composer Robert Carli and members of the TSO. A concert event that takes place on the set of Frankie Drake Mysteries, the special gives fans of the series the opportunity to see and hear something different and unexpected. Filmed during COVID-19 and following strict safety protocols, Frankie Drake Mysteries: Music at Midnight was a way to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to live performance and showcase Frankie Drake Mysteries and the TSO’s ability to adapt and expand through creative collaborations.
“Having the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform on the Frankie Drake set was an amazing opportunity to combine Ovation’s mission of celebrating artistic expression with a fan-favorite drama series,” stated Woodward. “Mixing the art of storytelling with the art of music is the perfect blend of programming that Ovation is always looking to share with our audience.”
International distributor Nicky Davies Williams, CEO, DCD Rights added, “A huge hit with viewers around the world, we are delighted that Frankie Drake Mysteries will continue to be broadcast on Ovation, one of the world’s foremost arts and entertainment networks.”
Both the special and the fourth season will air this fall.”
What do you think? Do you plan to watch the musical special and the final season of Frankie Drake Mysteries on Ovation?
I love watching Frankie drake mysteries it’s a wonderful show to watch especially when you get to see the women of drake private detectives solve a case faster than the cops and I love that it’s women who out do the men so PLEASE BRING BACK FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES FOR A 5TH SEASON
My whole family loved watching Frankie Drake. It was a breath of fresh air from the stale male dominated shows that have been renewed for eternity. Bring back Frankie Drake!
My son and his wife, my US Marine brother, and I all watch Frankie with much enjoyment. The story lines and actors are such fun, and show “class”.
Too sad good fantastic shows, well written, with excellent actors, as Frankie Drake Mysteries, are cancelled, when there are so many trashy TV programs that stay on and on… Total lack of good judgement by the producers… Too sad…
I could not agree more
I’d love to know who the moron was that made the decision to cancel such fine programming
Please please please, let there be a finale. This is suuch a great show one canadians can be proud of. I would love to see more historical shows like frankie drake and murdoch mysteties as well as musicals. Its hard to find good shows tto watch now a days. Bring frankie back!!!
Please reconsider canceling. This is a quality show.
I found this series on PBS – and it is fantastic. I am sad to see it go away 🙁
Please please please bring back Frankie and her friends. I discovered her and the Murdock Mysteries during lockdown for Covid. I know they kept me sane. I’m an American who fell in love with these two Canadian series. Both series appeal to the historian (me) and the mystery lover (also me ). I really admire the strong, smart female characters. Please
Please bring it back!!
Series has definitely matured. First season was thin on plot and acting. But last 2 seasons were great! Sorry to see it go. Too bad PBS is not in a position to run with it…or is it?
Will be watching all 4th season episodes.
Love Frankie Drake! Another great show down the tubes but many thanks to Ovation for picking up Season 4 and for the music special. We look forward to watching.
I watched the final season (4) on PBS Passport. You will not be disappointed!
Don’t take it off. I love it and the characters and the cast. There is so much junk on TV now. Of course I will watch the special and DVD it.
Love this show and sorry it will be the last season.
Definitely will be watching….by the way since CBC cancelled the show, what carrier will be showing it in Canada. Don’t want to miss it…..keep us posted,,,,
WONDERFUL….Love Frankie Drake so glad picked up by Ovation. DVR all shows because of time, love watching them later. Wish more shows that I really like wouldn’t be cancelled just because they didn’t get top ratings. Know many that I and my friends watch that do get cut. We are over the 60 age and some 80’s but we like so many shows. We are the age to watch more TV and they remove those shows not aimed to the ‘older’ just younger group.
Manifest was one.