At last, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent has landed a home in the United States! But fans may be surprised at just where it’ll air this fall!
It was probably inevitable that the Law & Order franchise would expand internationally. After all, the police/legal drama has been a mainstay for over three decades. There had been Law & Order: UK from 2009 to 2014, which adapted older episodes of the classic show.
Canada finally got their own take with Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. The overly complex title pays homage to the original Criminal Intent spinoff that aired from 2001 to 2011 on NBC and the USA Network.
The new series aired on CityTV in 2024 and quickly became a hit. The second season is still ongoing, but at last we know when and where it’ll come to the United States!
Where is Law & Order Toronto airing in the U.S.?
Per TVLine, The CW has gained the first two seasons of the show, with season 1 set to air in fall 2025. This is a bit surprising, as one would have expected the show to be acquired by Peacock, which airs all the other Law & Order series. Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network, had a statement on it.
“Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent is the next gripping chapter of one of the greatest and most recognizable broadcast television brands of all time and we can’t wait to bring this series to The CW this fall.”
This follows The CW’s pivot in the last few years from original scripted content to more acquiring shows from Canada, such as the successful Wild Cards. Adding in a top franchise like Law & Order can only help them.
What is Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent about?
The show is a bit different than your standard Law & Order series. It focuses on the Specialized Criminal Investigations Unit’s Detective Sergeants Henry Graff (Aden Young) and Frankie Bateman (Kathleen Munroe), who are investigating murders in Toronto. Also with them are Inspector Vivienne Holness (Karen Robinson) and Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester (K.C. Collins).
Much of the show relies on how Canadian law differs from American law, especially in the courtroom (Canada doesn't have the Miranda Rights). Thus, we get more of the cops investigating the crimes and not as much on the prosecutions. It still retains the classic Law & Order formula of unique twists and trying to find justice.
The show’s success has been huge in Canada, and likely has a third season is coming. Its arrival in the U.S. has been overdue, and again, it's offbeat being on The CW. However, it looks like this fall sees another Law & Order show airing to prove the franchise expands across borders.
Stay tuned for more Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent news on Precinct TV.