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Due South

Due South is a Canadian crime comedy-drama television series created by Paul Haggis, and produced by Alliance Communications from its premiere on April 23, 1994, to its conclusion after four seasons on March 14, 1999. The series starred Paul Gross, David Marciano, Gordon Pinsent, Beau Starr, Catherine Bruhier, Camilla Scott, Ramona Milano, and Callum Keith Rennie.[2][3] The show follows the adventures of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Constable Benton Fraser, who first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of his father, and has remained, attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate. He works alongside a detective of the Chicago Police Department to solve crimes. Both are aided at times by Fraser's deaf white wolf, Diefenbaker.[4]

Due South
GenreComedy drama
Created byPaul Haggis[1]
StarringPaul Gross
David Marciano
Beau Starr
Daniel Kash
Tony Craig
Catherine Bruhier
Gordon Pinsent
Ramona Milano
Camilla Scott
Callum Keith Rennie
Tom Melissis
ComposersJay Semko (and theme)
Jack Lenz
John McCarthy (not credited in the revival seasons)
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes67 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time45 minutes (approx.)
Production companiesAlliance Communications
(1994-1998)
(seasons 1-3)
Alliance Atlantis
(1998-1999)
(season 4)
Original release
NetworkCTV (Canada)
CBS / Syndication (US)
ReleaseApril 23, 1994 (1994-04-23) –
March 14, 1999 (1999-03-14)

The show's format mixed between elements of a police drama and comedy, derived from the stereotypical differences between Canadian and American culture at the time. It also included elements of fantasy derived from Gross' character being visited by the memory of his father who often provides mixed advice on situations. The series itself was mostly filmed in Toronto, and was assisted with financing on later seasons by the BBC, which aired episodes on British television.

History edit

Due South originally debuted as a television movie on CTV in Canada and CBS in the United States.[5] After higher-than-anticipated ratings, Due South was turned into a continuing drama series in 1994. It was the first Canadian-made series to have a prime time slot on a major US network.[6]

After the 24-episode first season, CBS cancelled the series,[7] but the show's success in Canada and the United Kingdom enabled the production company to raise enough money to mount a second thirteen-episode season, which ran from 1995 to 1996. The show was once again shown on CBS in late 1995 after many fall shows had failed (CBS ordered an additional five episodes, raising the number to eighteen, but broadcast only four of them), but CBS did not renew the series.[7]

After a one-year hiatus, CTV revived the series in 1997 with international investment (from the BBC, ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, and TF1), and it ran for two further seasons, until 1999.[8] In the United States, seasons three and four were packaged together as a single 26-episode season for syndication. Despite critical acclaim and a consistently warm reception by American audiences, Due South never became a huge hit in the United States; however, it was one of the most highly rated regular series ever broadcast by a Canadian network. The show remains popular in the United Kingdom, and became one of the few non-British shows to have a prime-time weeknight slot on BBC One.[9]

UK edit

In the UK, Due South was first broadcast on Tuesday May 9, 1995, earning critical acclaim with comparisons to Northern Exposure and ratings of over eight million. The series continued on either a Tuesday or Friday every week except August until November 28, 1995. Season two was broadcast on Saturday nights from July 27, 1996 and fared similarly well, but was pulled from the schedules in mid October, with Noel's House Party taking its slot. The remaining 6 episodes were shown in January 1997, with the last episode going out on Easter Monday.[10] The series was given a full repeat during the 1997 summer holidays each weekday morning.

The BBC helped co-finance the third series, however the BBC struggled to find a suitable slot on Saturday nights, with only six episodes being broadcast from May - July, with three further episodes before Christmas 1998, and a further two in early January 1999. From May 1999,[11] the remaining episodes from series 3 and all of series 4 were broadcast until November 1999,[12] on BBC Two and consistently performed well, with ratings of over two million viewers, regularly appearing in the top-ten weekly shows for the channel. Upon the end of the series in 1999, BBC Two immediately began to screen repeats, and the series[13] ITV3 rescreened the series in 2006, while BBC Two from October 18, 2010, give the series another repeat run.[14] A rerun on digital channel True Entertainment began on October 10, 2014, with the pilot, with regular-series episodes following on weekdays from October 13. When True Entertainment closed mid-2019 it was replaced with Sony Channel where the series was broadcast in full commencing late 2020.

Premise edit

The premise of the series centres on the exploits of Constable Benton Fraser, an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who travels south to Chicago to initially solve the murder of his father, Sergeant Robert Fraser. However, during his investigation he inadvertently stumbles upon a scheme by several corrupt members of the RCMP that results in the shutdown of a new dam and the loss of many jobs, resulting in him being permanently stationed as a liaison officer in the Canadian consulate, which is depicted as a stand-alone building rather than as the 24th floor of Two Prudential Plaza. During his time in Chicago, Fraser works alongside Detective Raymond Vecchio - a tough, streetwise cop - in solving a series of cases around the city and occasionally across the border in Canada. After the second season, Fraser is forced to work alongside a second partner, Stanley Raymond Kowalski, who poses as Vecchio after he leaves to assist in an undercover operation.

Fraser often differs in his manners, including his politeness and honesty, and his methods of solving crimes, but is determined and dogged in pursuing and bringing down suspects, including his ability to predict where they might attempt to escape. Alongside his partner in the Chicago Police Department, Fraser is accompanied at times by a deaf lip-reading half-wolf named Diefenbaker, whom he adopted after the canine saved his life. After the first episode, Fraser finds himself visited by the ghost of his father Robert, whom only he can see, often providing mixed advice on his cases - with Robert appearing at random, infrequent moments up until the third series. The ghost then appears more frequently, only within the wardrobe of his son's office at the consulate; anyone else who tries to follow merely finds Fraser.

Cast edit

The following lists the primary actors who appear in the series, and the respective role they held:

The following list prominent recurring cast members and their respective roles:

Production edit

Filming was mostly done in Toronto, Ontario, which was used as a stand-in for Chicago. In many episodes a Toronto Transit Commission bus can be seen in the background. In others, prominent city landmarks such as the CN Tower and the Union Station can be glimpsed. Part of the series was shot in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Media edit

Books edit

Due South: The Official Companion by Geoff Tibballs was published in May 1998 containing basic information on the series and cast and brief episodes synopses up to the end of the third season. Another illustrated companion, Due South: The Official Guide by John A. Macdonald was published in December 1998. It contains some interviews with the characters and bios of the cast.

Four paperback novelizations by Tom McGregor were published in the UK; these were:

  • Death in the Wilderness (1996), based on the pilot movie
  • An Invitation to Romance (1996), based on the episodes "An Invitation to Romance" and "Gift of the Wheelman"
  • Vaulting North (1997), based on "North" and "Vault"
  • All the Queen's Horses (1997), based on "All the Queen's Horses" and "Red, White or Blue"

Videos edit

The pilot two-hour movie was originally released on VHS in 1996, but individual episodes had been released prior to this throughout 1995 on VHS with two episodes per tape. In 1998, the season three and the season four two-part finales were released. In November 2002, the Due South Giftset was released containing the pilot movie and episodes Mountie on the Bounty and Call of the Wild.

DVD releases edit

Alliance Atlantis released all 4 seasons on DVD in Canada only. The pilot episode is included on the third season release as a bonus feature.[17]

In the US, Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released the series on DVD in 2005. Seasons 3 and 4 were released together as Due South: Season 3. They also released a series set on May 6, 2008. In 2011, Echo Bridge released the final two episodes, "Call Of The Wild" parts one & two, on a single DVD. In 2014, they released an eight-disk set of all four seasons, allegedly with inferior video quality to the original releases.

In Region 2, Network released the series on DVD in the UK. Seasons 3 and 4 were released together as Due South: The Complete Third Series.

In Region 4, Madman Entertainment released the series on DVD in Australia. Seasons 3 and 4 were released as Due South: Season 3.

DVD Name Ep# Release dates
Region 1 (Canada) Region 1 (US) Region 2 Region 4
Due South: Season 1 22 November 26, 2002 November 23, 2005 January 30, 2006 August 16, 2006
Due South: Season 2 18 August 5, 2003 August 30, 2005 May 29, 2006 September 29, 2007
Due South: Season 3 26 September 21, 2004 November 11, 2005 September 4, 2006 June 30, 2009
Due South: The Complete Series 68 N/A May 6, 2008 October 23, 2006 N/A

Streaming edit

As of 2017, the show has begun streaming online for free on Canada Media Fund's Encore+YouTube Channel. (Season 1 & 2). Due South is also available on Gem, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's streaming app. It is also available on Netflix in Canada.

Soundtrack edit

The producers of Due South sought to showcase various Canadian artists within the show's episodes, with many of the featured tracks released the CD soundtrack Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack (1996). Sarah McLachlan's music was most prominently featured with no fewer than seven songs over the full run of the series; other recurring artists included The Headstones, Loreena McKennitt and Colin James. "The Blue Line" (episode #1.16) featured "The Hockey Theme", the longtime theme song of CBC Television's sports series Hockey Night in Canada.

The show's theme was written and composed by Jay Semko of The Northern Pikes (who recorded a version of the song with lyrics, played during the show's closing credits) working with Jack Lenz and John McCarthy. Semko also scored the first two seasons of Due South.[18] In November 1996, the first album was released, including an in-character soliloquy by Paul Gross on the subject of bravery, taken directly from the episode "An Eye for an Eye".

When the show returned for its third season, Semko returned to complete the second soundtrack.[18] The second soundtrack album, Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack, was released in June 1998. Both albums are filled largely with the vocals used in the series.

Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack (1996) edit

The final scene of the series was set to Stan Rogers' "Northwest Passage", a classic Canadian folk song that has been referred to as an unofficial Canadian anthem.[19]

Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released1996
Various artists chronology
Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack
(1996)
Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack
(1998)

Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack was a soundtrack album for the Canadian television series Due South, released by Nettwerk Records on October 1, 1996.[20]

Track listing

  1. Jay Semko, "Due South Theme"
  2. Spirit of the West, "Bone of Contention"
  3. Jay Semko, Jack Lenz and John McCarthy, "Cabin Music (Original Score)"
  4. Sarah McLachlan, "Possession (Piano Version Edit)"
  5. Jay Semko, Jack Lenz and John K. McCarthy, "Horses (Original Score)"
  6. Kashtin, "Akua Tuta"
  7. The Guess Who, "American Woman"
  8. Figgy Duff, "Henry Martin"
  9. Paul Gross, "Ride Forever"
  10. Blue Rodeo, "Flying"
  11. Jay Semko, "Due South Theme (Instrumental)"
  12. Holly Cole Trio, "Neon Blue"
  13. Jay Semko, Jack Lenz and John McCarthy, "Victoria's Secret (Original Score)"
  14. Klaatu, "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"
  15. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Elmer Iseler, Roy Thomson Hall Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Andrew Davis, "Eia, Mater (from Stabat Mater)"
  16. Paul Gross, "Fraser/Inuit Soliloquy"
  17. Jay Semko, Jack Lenz and John K. McCarthy, "Dief's in Love (Original Score)"

Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack (1998) edit

Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
Released1998
Various artists chronology
Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack
(1996)
Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack
(1998)

Due South, Volume II: The Original Television Soundtrack was the second soundtrack album for the Canadian television series Due South, released by Nettwerk Records on June 2, 1998.[21]

  1. Junkhouse, "Oh, What A Feeling"
  2. Captain Tractor, "Drunken Sailor"
  3. Paul Gross, "Robert MacKenzie"
  4. Vibrolux, "Mind"
  5. Jay Semko, "Mountie on the Bounty" (Original Score)
  6. Sarah McLachlan, "Song for a Winter's Night"
  7. Dutch Robinson, "Slave to Your Love"
  8. Single Gun Theory, "From a Million Miles"
  9. Trevor Hurst, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
  10. Mythos, "November"
  11. The Headstones, "Cubically Contained"
  12. Michelle Wright, "Nobody's Girl"
  13. Ashley MacIsaac, "Sophia's Pipes"
  14. Jay Semko, "Western End of the Trail" (Original Score)
  15. Tara MacLean, "Holy Tears"
  16. Jay Semko, "Due South Theme '97"

Awards edit

Over the three-season run of the series, Due South and its cast and crew earned a number of awards. Most significantly, the show earned 53 Canadian Gemini nominations, winning 15, including Best Dramatic TV series three years running (1995–1997), Paul Gross winning Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role two years running (1995–1996) and creator Paul Haggis winning Best Writing in a Dramatic Series the same two years.

Winner Award
Paul Gross Gemini, Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1995)
Gemini, Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (1996)
Gordon Pinsent Gemini, Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series (1996)
Gemini, Earle Grey Award (1997)
Brent Carver Gemini, Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role Dramatic Series (1998)
Wendy Crewson Gemini, Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role Dramatic Series (1998)
Production Awards Gemini, Best Dramatic TV Series - (Paul Haggis, Kathy Slevin, Jeff King) (1995)
Gemini, Best TV Movie - (Paul Haggis, Jean Desormeaux, Jeff King) (1995)
Gemini, Best Writing in a Dramatic Series (Kathy Slevin and Paul Haggis for The Pilot) (1995)
Gemini, Best Dramatic Series - (Paul Haggis, Jeff King, Kathy Slevin, George Bloomfield) (1996)
Gemini, Best Writing in a Dramatic Series - (Paul Haggis and David Shore for Hawk and a Handsaw) (1996)
Gemini, Best Direction in a Dramatic or Series - (Jerry Ciccoritti for Gift of the Wheelman) (1996)
Gemini, Best Sound - (Brian Avery, Allen Ormerod, Keith Elliot, Michael Werth, Jann Delpuech for Victoria's Secret) (1996)
Gemini, Best Dramatic Series - (Jeff King and Bob Wertheimer) (1997)
Gemini, Best Writing in a Dramatic Series - (Paul Gross, Robert B. Carney, John Krizanc for Mountie on the Bounty - Part 2) (1998)
Gemini, Best Visual Effects - (Jon Campfens, Barb Benoit, John Cox, Mark Savela for Call of the Wild, Part 2) (1999)

Critical reception edit

Fraser's methods, usually more sensitive and understanding than is typical for police work, gave the series a reputation for well-rounded characters.[22] Variety critic Adam Sandler praised the acting of Gross and Marciano and attributed the "show’s charm" to the writers' development of the two lead characters' relationship.[23] It was named as one of TV's most underrated shows by The Guardian,[24] and Empire critic William Thomas reviewed season 1 and concluded that "At its worst, Due South is a witty and well-written genre hit; at its best, it’s one of the most original and quietly influential shows of the mid-’90s."[25]

A reviewer from the Los Angeles Times was less positive, finding the show's portrayal of RCMP officers unrealistic and unfunny.[26]

Fan conventions edit

A number of fan conventions were organized by Due South fans during the 1990s, the biggest and best-known of which was "RCW 139", so named after the license plate number that recurred throughout the series. RCW 139 was held annually in Toronto between 1996 and 1999, attracting approximately 300 fans from more than 10 countries in both 1998 and 1999. The convention featured games, discussion panels, a formal dinner, and guest panels. Numerous cast and crew members have attended, including David Marciano (1998), Paul Gross (1999), Gordon Pinsent (1998), Tom Melissis (1997, 1998, 1999), Tony Craig (1997), Catherine Bruhier (1998, 1999) and Jay Semko (1998, 1999). Draco (Diefenbaker) and his trainer, Gail Parker, were guests in both 1998 and 1999.

After a nine-year hiatus, the convention was revived in 2008, with guest panels from David Marciano, Jay Semko, Tom Melissis, Catherine Bruhier, and Gail Parker with Cinder, Draco's sister and stunt-double. Another convention was held in August 2010, with Paul Gross, Jay Semko, Tom Melissis, Camilla Scott, Tony Craig, Catherine Bruhier, and Ramona Milano.

RCW 139: From a Million Miles was held from August 17–19, 2012 in Toronto. This event included tours and dining in the Distillery District of Toronto and the Patrician Grill, both of which were frequently used for location filming.[27]

RCW 139: Thank You Kindly was held from August 15–17, 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Due South. Catherine Bruhier, Ramona Milano, Tom Melissis, and Tony Craig, along with guest star Lisa Jakub ("Chicago Holiday" [#1.07/1.08]), appeared on the cast panel; assistant directors Michael Bowman and Woody Sidarous, costume supervisor Alex Kavanagh, and prop master Craig Williams formed the crew panel. Paul Haggis made an appearance via Skype chat. Included in the activities were a tour of the Distillery District, a bus tour of filming locations, a game of "Due South Jeopardy", and a charity auction of props, scripts, costume pieces, and other series memorabilia.[28] This was the first Due South convention to be webcast for the benefit of fans unable to attend.[29]

In popular culture edit

  • In the MMORPG City of Heroes, budding superheroes could take missions from a Detective Frasenbaker, an apparently superhuman Mountie who moved to the fictional Paragon City while on the trail of his father's killers.
  • In the Vinyl Cafe Dave and Morley story, Cousin Dorothy comes to Toronto from England to attend a "Friends of Due South" convention.
  • The 2010 movie Barney's Version includes a fake TV show called O'Malley of the South starring Paul Gross in a parody of his own character in Due South.
  • At the conclusion of one episode[episode needed] of The Pretender, a series also shot in and around Toronto at the same time as Due South, Miss Parker is asked where she thinks Jarod has gone. She replies that "He has gone South, Due South." The next scene shows Jarod participating in the RCMP Musical Ride.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ . Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  2. ^ Johnson, Allan (January 6, 1998). "Parting Company". Chicago Tribune. from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  3. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (September 26, 1994). "When a Mountie's as Thick as a Brick". Los Angeles Times. from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  4. ^ Johnson, Allan (December 12, 1995). "Who's the Nice-guy Hero in the Red Suit ?". Chicago Tribune. from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  5. ^ *Rosenberg, Howard (September 15, 1994). "No Breakthroughs in Three New Dramas". Los Angeles Times. from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
    • Ascher-Walsh, Rebecca (November 25, 1994). . Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  6. ^ Johnson, Allan (December 8, 1995). "Back on the Beat". Chicago Tribune. from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  7. ^ a b Mendoza, N.F. (December 8, 1995). "CBS Flies 'Due South' for the Winter". Los Angeles Times. from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  8. ^ *Johnson, Allan (September 16, 1997). "The Long Goodbye". Chicago Tribune. from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
    • Graham, Jefferson (August 5, 1997). "Global demand revives 'Due South'". USA Today. Retrieved October 25, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Truss, Lynne (May 10, 1995). "Even Heroes Cannot Always Be Believed". The Times. p. 43. When BBC1 moves EastEnders, thereby upsetting the stomach-clocks of millions, there has to be a damn good reason. Last night, EastEnders started 15 minutes early to make way for Due South.
  10. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index". from the original on May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index". from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index". from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Schedule - BBC Programme Index". from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  14. ^ "Two Programmes - Due South - Episodes from 2010". BBC. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  15. ^ Conlogue, Ray (January 8, 1995). "Profile Giving Gross His 'Due' CBS' Canadian Mountie Is Perfectly Suited for Absurdly Do-Right Role". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  16. ^ Williams, Scott (December 17, 1995). "It's Due for Success, but Can This Series Overcome Dead Caribou Karma?". Los Angeles Times. from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  17. ^ *"Due South: The Complete First Season". Amazon.ca. February 3, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
    • "Due South: Season 2". Amazon.ca. August 5, 2003. from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
    • "Due South: The Complete Third Season with Original Pilot". Amazon.ca. September 21, 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
    • "Due South: the Final Season". Amazon.ca. February 3, 2009. from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Jay Semko's Official Website". from the original on April 11, 2006. Retrieved April 14, 2006.
  19. ^ "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to end by leaving you with a line from Stan Rogers' unofficial Canadian anthem – Northwest Passage." Address by the Prime Minister Stephen Harper February 16, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, August 17, 2006 in Yellowknife.
  20. ^ "Due South - Original TV Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "Due South, Vol. 2 - Original TV Soundtrack | Releases". AllMusic. from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  22. ^ Werts, Diane (July 9, 1995). . Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
    • "Quirky 'Due South' Deserves This Second Look". The New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2010.[permanent dead link]
    • "Quirky 'South' Finally Getting Its 'Due'". The New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2010.[permanent dead link]
    • Sutcliffe, Thomas (May 17, 1995). "A Little of What You Fancy Does You Good". Independent. London. from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
    • Howells, Richard (July 27, 1996). "Drugs, Murder, Theft: Cue Laughter". Independent. London. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  23. ^ Sandler, Adam (September 22, 1994). "Due South". Variety. from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  24. ^ *Mangan, Lucy (July 27, 2016). "Pulling to Time Trumpet – TV's most underrated shows". The Guardian. London. from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  25. ^ Thomas, William (April 18, 2006). "Due South: Season 1 Review". Empire. from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  26. ^ Rosenberg, Howard (September 26, 1994). "TELEVISION : When a Mountie's as Thick as a Brick". Los Angeles Times. from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "RCW 139: From a Million Miles". from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  28. ^ RCW139.org. "Event Details". from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ . Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.

External links edit

  • Due South (pilot movie) at IMDb  
  • Due South (1994-1999) at IMDb  
  • A Due South retrospective at PaulGross.org
  • BBC website, which lists Due South as a cult television show

south, magazine, magazine, canadian, crime, comedy, drama, television, series, created, paul, haggis, produced, alliance, communications, from, premiere, april, 1994, conclusion, after, four, seasons, march, 1999, series, starred, paul, gross, david, marciano,. For the magazine see Due South magazine Due South is a Canadian crime comedy drama television series created by Paul Haggis and produced by Alliance Communications from its premiere on April 23 1994 to its conclusion after four seasons on March 14 1999 The series starred Paul Gross David Marciano Gordon Pinsent Beau Starr Catherine Bruhier Camilla Scott Ramona Milano and Callum Keith Rennie 2 3 The show follows the adventures of Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP Constable Benton Fraser who first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of his father and has remained attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate He works alongside a detective of the Chicago Police Department to solve crimes Both are aided at times by Fraser s deaf white wolf Diefenbaker 4 Due SouthGenreComedy dramaCreated byPaul Haggis 1 StarringPaul GrossDavid MarcianoBeau StarrDaniel KashTony CraigCatherine BruhierGordon PinsentRamona MilanoCamilla ScottCallum Keith RennieTom MelissisComposersJay Semko and theme Jack LenzJohn McCarthy not credited in the revival seasons Country of originCanadaOriginal languageEnglishNo of seasons4No of episodes67 list of episodes ProductionRunning time45 minutes approx Production companiesAlliance Communications 1994 1998 seasons 1 3 Alliance Atlantis 1998 1999 season 4 Original releaseNetworkCTV Canada CBS Syndication US ReleaseApril 23 1994 1994 04 23 March 14 1999 1999 03 14 The show s format mixed between elements of a police drama and comedy derived from the stereotypical differences between Canadian and American culture at the time It also included elements of fantasy derived from Gross character being visited by the memory of his father who often provides mixed advice on situations The series itself was mostly filmed in Toronto and was assisted with financing on later seasons by the BBC which aired episodes on British television Contents 1 History 1 1 UK 2 Premise 3 Cast 4 Production 5 Media 5 1 Books 5 2 Videos 5 3 DVD releases 5 4 Streaming 6 Soundtrack 6 1 Due South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996 6 2 Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack 1998 7 Awards 8 Critical reception 9 Fan conventions 10 In popular culture 11 See also 12 References 13 External linksHistory editDue South originally debuted as a television movie on CTV in Canada and CBS in the United States 5 After higher than anticipated ratings Due South was turned into a continuing drama series in 1994 It was the first Canadian made series to have a prime time slot on a major US network 6 After the 24 episode first season CBS cancelled the series 7 but the show s success in Canada and the United Kingdom enabled the production company to raise enough money to mount a second thirteen episode season which ran from 1995 to 1996 The show was once again shown on CBS in late 1995 after many fall shows had failed CBS ordered an additional five episodes raising the number to eighteen but broadcast only four of them but CBS did not renew the series 7 After a one year hiatus CTV revived the series in 1997 with international investment from the BBC ProSiebenSat 1 Media AG and TF1 and it ran for two further seasons until 1999 8 In the United States seasons three and four were packaged together as a single 26 episode season for syndication Despite critical acclaim and a consistently warm reception by American audiences Due South never became a huge hit in the United States however it was one of the most highly rated regular series ever broadcast by a Canadian network The show remains popular in the United Kingdom and became one of the few non British shows to have a prime time weeknight slot on BBC One 9 UK edit In the UK Due South was first broadcast on Tuesday May 9 1995 earning critical acclaim with comparisons to Northern Exposure and ratings of over eight million The series continued on either a Tuesday or Friday every week except August until November 28 1995 Season two was broadcast on Saturday nights from July 27 1996 and fared similarly well but was pulled from the schedules in mid October with Noel s House Party taking its slot The remaining 6 episodes were shown in January 1997 with the last episode going out on Easter Monday 10 The series was given a full repeat during the 1997 summer holidays each weekday morning The BBC helped co finance the third series however the BBC struggled to find a suitable slot on Saturday nights with only six episodes being broadcast from May July with three further episodes before Christmas 1998 and a further two in early January 1999 From May 1999 11 the remaining episodes from series 3 and all of series 4 were broadcast until November 1999 12 on BBC Two and consistently performed well with ratings of over two million viewers regularly appearing in the top ten weekly shows for the channel Upon the end of the series in 1999 BBC Two immediately began to screen repeats and the series 13 ITV3 rescreened the series in 2006 while BBC Two from October 18 2010 give the series another repeat run 14 A rerun on digital channel True Entertainment began on October 10 2014 with the pilot with regular series episodes following on weekdays from October 13 When True Entertainment closed mid 2019 it was replaced with Sony Channel where the series was broadcast in full commencing late 2020 Premise editMain article List of Due South episodes The premise of the series centres on the exploits of Constable Benton Fraser an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP who travels south to Chicago to initially solve the murder of his father Sergeant Robert Fraser However during his investigation he inadvertently stumbles upon a scheme by several corrupt members of the RCMP that results in the shutdown of a new dam and the loss of many jobs resulting in him being permanently stationed as a liaison officer in the Canadian consulate which is depicted as a stand alone building rather than as the 24th floor of Two Prudential Plaza During his time in Chicago Fraser works alongside Detective Raymond Vecchio a tough streetwise cop in solving a series of cases around the city and occasionally across the border in Canada After the second season Fraser is forced to work alongside a second partner Stanley Raymond Kowalski who poses as Vecchio after he leaves to assist in an undercover operation Fraser often differs in his manners including his politeness and honesty and his methods of solving crimes but is determined and dogged in pursuing and bringing down suspects including his ability to predict where they might attempt to escape Alongside his partner in the Chicago Police Department Fraser is accompanied at times by a deaf lip reading half wolf named Diefenbaker whom he adopted after the canine saved his life After the first episode Fraser finds himself visited by the ghost of his father Robert whom only he can see often providing mixed advice on his cases with Robert appearing at random infrequent moments up until the third series The ghost then appears more frequently only within the wardrobe of his son s office at the consulate anyone else who tries to follow merely finds Fraser Cast editMain article Due South characters The following lists the primary actors who appear in the series and the respective role they held Paul Gross as Constable Benton Fraser 15 David Marciano as Detective Raymond Ray Vecchio 16 Seasons 1 2 Guest Star 3 4 Beau Starr as Lieutenant Harding Welsh Catherine Bruhier as Elaine Besbriss Seasons 1 3 Daniel Kash as Detective Louis Gardino Seasons 1 2 Tony Craig as Detective Jack Huey Gordon Pinsent as Sgt Robert Bob Fraser Ramona Milano as Francesca Vecchio Camilla Scott as Inspector Meg Thatcher Seasons 2 4 Callum Keith Rennie as Detective Stanley Raymond Ray Kowalski Seasons 3 4 Tom Melissis as Detective Thomas E Dewey Seasons 3 4 The following list prominent recurring cast members and their respective roles Leslie Nielsen as Sgt Buck Frobisher Seasons 1 4 Alex Carter as F B I Agent Ford Seasons 1 3 Mark Melymick as F B I Agent Deeter Seasons 1 3 Deborah Rennard as Dr Esther Pearson Season 1 Shay Duffin as Father Behan Season 1 Lee Purcell as D A Louise St Laurent Seasons 1 2 Dean McDermott as Constable Renfield Turnbull Seasons 2 4 Anne Marie Loder as Assistant State Attorney Stella Kowalski Seasons 3 4 Jan Rubes as Dr Mort Gustafson Seasons 3 4 Ryan Phillippe as Del Porter Season 1 Production editThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2020 Learn how and when to remove this message Filming was mostly done in Toronto Ontario which was used as a stand in for Chicago In many episodes a Toronto Transit Commission bus can be seen in the background In others prominent city landmarks such as the CN Tower and the Union Station can be glimpsed Part of the series was shot in Banff National Park Alberta Media editBooks edit Due South The Official Companion by Geoff Tibballs was published in May 1998 containing basic information on the series and cast and brief episodes synopses up to the end of the third season Another illustrated companion Due South The Official Guide by John A Macdonald was published in December 1998 It contains some interviews with the characters and bios of the cast Four paperback novelizations by Tom McGregor were published in the UK these were Death in the Wilderness 1996 based on the pilot movie An Invitation to Romance 1996 based on the episodes An Invitation to Romance and Gift of the Wheelman Vaulting North 1997 based on North and Vault All the Queen s Horses 1997 based on All the Queen s Horses and Red White or Blue Videos edit The pilot two hour movie was originally released on VHS in 1996 but individual episodes had been released prior to this throughout 1995 on VHS with two episodes per tape In 1998 the season three and the season four two part finales were released In November 2002 the Due South Giftset was released containing the pilot movie and episodes Mountie on the Bounty and Call of the Wild DVD releases edit Alliance Atlantis released all 4 seasons on DVD in Canada only The pilot episode is included on the third season release as a bonus feature 17 In the US Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released the series on DVD in 2005 Seasons 3 and 4 were released together as Due South Season 3 They also released a series set on May 6 2008 In 2011 Echo Bridge released the final two episodes Call Of The Wild parts one amp two on a single DVD In 2014 they released an eight disk set of all four seasons allegedly with inferior video quality to the original releases In Region 2 Network released the series on DVD in the UK Seasons 3 and 4 were released together as Due South The Complete Third Series In Region 4 Madman Entertainment released the series on DVD in Australia Seasons 3 and 4 were released as Due South Season 3 DVD Name Ep Release dates Region 1 Canada Region 1 US Region 2 Region 4 Due South Season 1 22 November 26 2002 November 23 2005 January 30 2006 August 16 2006 Due South Season 2 18 August 5 2003 August 30 2005 May 29 2006 September 29 2007 Due South Season 3 26 September 21 2004 November 11 2005 September 4 2006 June 30 2009 Due South The Complete Series 68 N A May 6 2008 October 23 2006 N A Streaming edit As of 2017 the show has begun streaming online for free on Canada Media Fund s Encore YouTube Channel Season 1 amp 2 Due South is also available on Gem the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation s streaming app It is also available on Netflix in Canada Soundtrack editThe producers of Due South sought to showcase various Canadian artists within the show s episodes with many of the featured tracks released the CD soundtrack Due South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996 Sarah McLachlan s music was most prominently featured with no fewer than seven songs over the full run of the series other recurring artists included The Headstones Loreena McKennitt and Colin James The Blue Line episode 1 16 featured The Hockey Theme the longtime theme song of CBC Television s sports series Hockey Night in Canada The show s theme was written and composed by Jay Semko of The Northern Pikes who recorded a version of the song with lyrics played during the show s closing credits working with Jack Lenz and John McCarthy Semko also scored the first two seasons of Due South 18 In November 1996 the first album was released including an in character soliloquy by Paul Gross on the subject of bravery taken directly from the episode An Eye for an Eye When the show returned for its third season Semko returned to complete the second soundtrack 18 The second soundtrack album Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack was released in June 1998 Both albums are filled largely with the vocals used in the series Due South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996 edit The final scene of the series was set to Stan Rogers Northwest Passage a classic Canadian folk song that has been referred to as an unofficial Canadian anthem 19 Due South The Original Television SoundtrackSoundtrack album by Various artistsReleased1996Various artists chronologyDue South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996 Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack 1998 Due South The Original Television Soundtrack was a soundtrack album for the Canadian television series Due South released by Nettwerk Records on October 1 1996 20 Track listing Jay Semko Due South Theme Spirit of the West Bone of Contention Jay Semko Jack Lenz and John McCarthy Cabin Music Original Score Sarah McLachlan Possession Piano Version Edit Jay Semko Jack Lenz and John K McCarthy Horses Original Score Kashtin Akua Tuta The Guess Who American Woman Figgy Duff Henry Martin Paul Gross Ride Forever Blue Rodeo Flying Jay Semko Due South Theme Instrumental Holly Cole Trio Neon Blue Jay Semko Jack Lenz and John McCarthy Victoria s Secret Original Score Klaatu Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Elmer Iseler Roy Thomson Hall Orchestra Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Andrew Davis Eia Mater from Stabat Mater Paul Gross Fraser Inuit Soliloquy Jay Semko Jack Lenz and John K McCarthy Dief s in Love Original Score Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack 1998 edit Due South Volume II The Original Television SoundtrackSoundtrack album by Various artistsReleased1998Various artists chronologyDue South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996 Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack 1998 Due South Volume II The Original Television Soundtrack was the second soundtrack album for the Canadian television series Due South released by Nettwerk Records on June 2 1998 21 Junkhouse Oh What A Feeling Captain Tractor Drunken Sailor Paul Gross Robert MacKenzie Vibrolux Mind Jay Semko Mountie on the Bounty Original Score Sarah McLachlan Song for a Winter s Night Dutch Robinson Slave to Your Love Single Gun Theory From a Million Miles Trevor Hurst Take Me Out to the Ballgame Mythos November The Headstones Cubically Contained Michelle Wright Nobody s Girl Ashley MacIsaac Sophia s Pipes Jay Semko Western End of the Trail Original Score Tara MacLean Holy Tears Jay Semko Due South Theme 97 Awards editOver the three season run of the series Due South and its cast and crew earned a number of awards Most significantly the show earned 53 Canadian Gemini nominations winning 15 including Best Dramatic TV series three years running 1995 1997 Paul Gross winning Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role two years running 1995 1996 and creator Paul Haggis winning Best Writing in a Dramatic Series the same two years Winner Award Paul Gross Gemini Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role 1995 Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role 1996 Gordon Pinsent Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series 1996 Gemini Earle Grey Award 1997 Brent Carver Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role Dramatic Series 1998 Wendy Crewson Gemini Best Performance by an Actress in a Guest Role Dramatic Series 1998 Production Awards Gemini Best Dramatic TV Series Paul Haggis Kathy Slevin Jeff King 1995 Gemini Best TV Movie Paul Haggis Jean Desormeaux Jeff King 1995 Gemini Best Writing in a Dramatic Series Kathy Slevin and Paul Haggis for The Pilot 1995 Gemini Best Dramatic Series Paul Haggis Jeff King Kathy Slevin George Bloomfield 1996 Gemini Best Writing in a Dramatic Series Paul Haggis and David Shore for Hawk and a Handsaw 1996 Gemini Best Direction in a Dramatic or Series Jerry Ciccoritti for Gift of the Wheelman 1996 Gemini Best Sound Brian Avery Allen Ormerod Keith Elliot Michael Werth Jann Delpuech for Victoria s Secret 1996 Gemini Best Dramatic Series Jeff King and Bob Wertheimer 1997 Gemini Best Writing in a Dramatic Series Paul Gross Robert B Carney John Krizanc for Mountie on the Bounty Part 2 1998 Gemini Best Visual Effects Jon Campfens Barb Benoit John Cox Mark Savela for Call of the Wild Part 2 1999 Critical reception editThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it August 2020 Fraser s methods usually more sensitive and understanding than is typical for police work gave the series a reputation for well rounded characters 22 Variety critic Adam Sandler praised the acting of Gross and Marciano and attributed the show s charm to the writers development of the two lead characters relationship 23 It was named as one of TV s most underrated shows by The Guardian 24 and Empire critic William Thomas reviewed season 1 and concluded that At its worst Due South is a witty and well written genre hit at its best it s one of the most original and quietly influential shows of the mid 90s 25 A reviewer from the Los Angeles Times was less positive finding the show s portrayal of RCMP officers unrealistic and unfunny 26 Fan conventions editA number of fan conventions were organized by Due South fans during the 1990s the biggest and best known of which was RCW 139 so named after the license plate number that recurred throughout the series RCW 139 was held annually in Toronto between 1996 and 1999 attracting approximately 300 fans from more than 10 countries in both 1998 and 1999 The convention featured games discussion panels a formal dinner and guest panels Numerous cast and crew members have attended including David Marciano 1998 Paul Gross 1999 Gordon Pinsent 1998 Tom Melissis 1997 1998 1999 Tony Craig 1997 Catherine Bruhier 1998 1999 and Jay Semko 1998 1999 Draco Diefenbaker and his trainer Gail Parker were guests in both 1998 and 1999 After a nine year hiatus the convention was revived in 2008 with guest panels from David Marciano Jay Semko Tom Melissis Catherine Bruhier and Gail Parker with Cinder Draco s sister and stunt double Another convention was held in August 2010 with Paul Gross Jay Semko Tom Melissis Camilla Scott Tony Craig Catherine Bruhier and Ramona Milano RCW 139 From a Million Miles was held from August 17 19 2012 in Toronto This event included tours and dining in the Distillery District of Toronto and the Patrician Grill both of which were frequently used for location filming 27 RCW 139 Thank You Kindly was held from August 15 17 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Due South Catherine Bruhier Ramona Milano Tom Melissis and Tony Craig along with guest star Lisa Jakub Chicago Holiday 1 07 1 08 appeared on the cast panel assistant directors Michael Bowman and Woody Sidarous costume supervisor Alex Kavanagh and prop master Craig Williams formed the crew panel Paul Haggis made an appearance via Skype chat Included in the activities were a tour of the Distillery District a bus tour of filming locations a game of Due South Jeopardy and a charity auction of props scripts costume pieces and other series memorabilia 28 This was the first Due South convention to be webcast for the benefit of fans unable to attend 29 In popular culture editIn the MMORPG City of Heroes budding superheroes could take missions from a Detective Frasenbaker an apparently superhuman Mountie who moved to the fictional Paragon City while on the trail of his father s killers In the Vinyl Cafe Dave and Morley story Cousin Dorothy comes to Toronto from England to attend a Friends of Due South convention The 2010 movie Barney s Version includes a fake TV show called O Malley of the South starring Paul Gross in a parody of his own character in Due South At the conclusion of one episode episode needed of The Pretender a series also shot in and around Toronto at the same time as Due South Miss Parker is asked where she thinks Jarod has gone She replies that He has gone South Due South The next scene shows Jarod participating in the RCMP Musical Ride See also edit nbsp Television portal nbsp Canada portal List of Due South episodes Television in CanadaReferences edit Setting A New Course Sun Sentinel Archived from the original on May 24 2012 Retrieved October 25 2010 Johnson Allan January 6 1998 Parting Company Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on May 27 2012 Retrieved August 30 2010 Rosenberg Howard September 26 1994 When a Mountie s as Thick as a Brick Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on November 2 2012 Retrieved August 30 2010 Johnson Allan December 12 1995 Who s the Nice guy Hero in the Red Suit Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on February 22 2011 Retrieved October 25 2010 Rosenberg Howard September 15 1994 No Breakthroughs in Three New Dramas Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on November 3 2012 Retrieved October 26 2010 Ascher Walsh Rebecca November 25 1994 Studly Do Right Entertainment Weekly Archived from the original on April 25 2009 Retrieved October 25 2010 Johnson Allan December 8 1995 Back on the Beat Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on May 31 2012 Retrieved August 30 2010 a b Mendoza N F December 8 1995 CBS Flies Due South for the Winter Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on November 2 2012 Retrieved October 26 2010 Johnson Allan September 16 1997 The Long Goodbye Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on June 14 2012 Retrieved October 25 2010 Graham Jefferson August 5 1997 Global demand revives Due South USA Today Retrieved October 25 2010 permanent dead link Truss Lynne May 10 1995 Even Heroes Cannot Always Be Believed The Times p 43 When BBC1 moves EastEnders thereby upsetting the stomach clocks of millions there has to be a damn good reason Last night EastEnders started 15 minutes early to make way for Due South Schedule BBC Programme Index Archived from the original on May 6 2017 Retrieved May 20 2020 Schedule BBC Programme Index Archived from the original on October 17 2014 Retrieved May 20 2020 Schedule BBC Programme Index Archived from the original on November 23 2020 Retrieved May 20 2020 Schedule BBC Programme Index Archived from the original on September 24 2020 Retrieved May 20 2020 Two Programmes Due South Episodes from 2010 BBC Archived from the original on July 23 2012 Retrieved March 2 2011 Conlogue Ray January 8 1995 Profile Giving Gross His Due CBS Canadian Mountie Is Perfectly Suited for Absurdly Do Right Role Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on July 8 2012 Retrieved October 25 2010 Williams Scott December 17 1995 It s Due for Success but Can This Series Overcome Dead Caribou Karma Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on November 3 2012 Retrieved October 26 2010 Due South The Complete First Season Amazon ca February 3 2009 Retrieved March 2 2011 Due South Season 2 Amazon ca August 5 2003 Archived from the original on July 6 2022 Retrieved March 2 2011 Due South The Complete Third Season with Original Pilot Amazon ca September 21 2004 Retrieved March 2 2011 Due South the Final Season Amazon ca February 3 2009 Archived from the original on December 14 2023 Retrieved March 2 2011 a b Jay Semko s Official Website Archived from the original on April 11 2006 Retrieved April 14 2006 Ladies and gentlemen I d like to end by leaving you with a line from Stan Rogers unofficial Canadian anthem Northwest Passage Address by the Prime Minister Stephen Harper Archived February 16 2013 at the Wayback Machine August 17 2006 in Yellowknife Due South Original TV Soundtrack Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Archived from the original on August 3 2017 Retrieved March 7 2020 Due South Vol 2 Original TV Soundtrack Releases AllMusic Archived from the original on December 14 2023 Retrieved March 7 2020 Werts Diane July 9 1995 Giving Due South Its Due Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on October 26 2012 Retrieved August 30 2010 Quirky Due South Deserves This Second Look The New York Daily News Retrieved October 25 2010 permanent dead link Quirky South Finally Getting Its Due The New York Daily News Retrieved October 25 2010 permanent dead link Sutcliffe Thomas May 17 1995 A Little of What You Fancy Does You Good Independent London Archived from the original on November 9 2012 Retrieved October 26 2010 Howells Richard July 27 1996 Drugs Murder Theft Cue Laughter Independent London Archived from the original on April 20 2013 Retrieved October 26 2010 Sandler Adam September 22 1994 Due South Variety Archived from the original on April 22 2022 Retrieved April 22 2022 Mangan Lucy July 27 2016 Pulling to Time Trumpet TV s most underrated shows The Guardian London Archived from the original on November 22 2016 Retrieved November 21 2016 Thomas William April 18 2006 Due South Season 1 Review Empire Archived from the original on April 22 2022 Retrieved April 22 2022 Rosenberg Howard September 26 1994 TELEVISION When a Mountie s as Thick as a Brick Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on April 22 2022 Retrieved April 22 2022 RCW 139 From a Million Miles Archived from the original on June 14 2013 Retrieved January 17 2013 RCW139 org Event Details Archived from the original on February 18 2015 Retrieved August 18 2014 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Bambuser RCW 139 Archived from the original on August 19 2014 Retrieved August 18 2014 External links edit nbsp Wikiquote has quotations related to Due South Due South pilot movie at IMDb nbsp Due South 1994 1999 at IMDb nbsp A Due South retrospective at PaulGross org BBC website which lists Due South as a cult television show Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Due South amp oldid 1221638236 Due South The Original Television Soundtrack 1996, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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