Dick Wolf’s Law & Order franchise will be heading to Canada with a Criminal Intent spin-off series set in Toronto.
Dun-dun! You really can’t stop the Law & Order franchise. Since the very first episode of the flagship series back in 1990, Law & Order has kept on trucking in one form or another. The franchise will now be heading to Canada as Citytv has ordered Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.
The first season of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent will consist of ten episodes and will premiere in Spring 2024. As you might guess from the title, this spinoff series will take its lead from Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the third series in the Law & Order franchise. The original Criminal Intent series ran for ten seasons and starred Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe.
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent will follow “an elite squad of detectives who investigate high-profile crime and corruption in metro Toronto.” The press-release notes that the series will “showcase original Canadian stories written and produced by, and starring, Canadians.” The Toronto spinoff will be produced by Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc. in association with Citytv.
“The timeless appeal of the cases explored in the globally successful ‘Law & Order’ franchise continue to draw in Citytv audiences week after week,” said Hayden Mindell, Senior Vice President, Television, Rogers Sports & Media. “We’re thrilled to be in partnership with Lark Productions and Cameron Pictures Inc., to bring Canadian stories to this iconic format.” Erin Haskett, President and Executive Producer, Lark Productions, added, “Our team is excited for the unique opportunity to produce a distinctly Canadian version of ‘Criminal Intent’ in partnership with Cameron Pictures. We have been collaborating with Rogers Sports & Media since early last year and are thrilled to share the original vision of the adaptation with audiences.“
This won’t be the first international adaptation of the Law & Order franchise and France, Russia, and the UK have all aired their own versions. In the U.S., Law & Order: Special Victims Unit recently wrapped its 24th season and has been renewed for a 25th. Law & Order: Organized Crime concluded its 3rd season and has been renewed for a 4th. The flagship series also returned after a twelve-year hiatus and has been renewed for a 23rd season.