"A polite Mountie and his deaf wolf-dog take on Chicago crime with impeccable manners and surprising depth."
Paul Haggis created a masterpiece of Canadian television with Due South, a series that balanced dry wit with earnest heroism. Following Constable Benton Fraser, an impeccably polite Mountie stationed in Chicago, the show explored the friction between Canadian idealism and American urban grit. Across four seasons, the chemistry between Paul Gross and his co-stars—first David Marciano and later Callum Keith Rennie—defined its success. It was a rare international co-production that achieved a cult following in the United States and the United Kingdom, bolstered by a distinctive soundtrack and the presence of Diefenbaker, the deaf wolf-dog. The show remains a landmark of 1990s television, celebrated for its unique blend of procedural drama, surrealist comedy, and heartfelt exploration of duty.
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Sep 23, 1998 | Dr. Longball | |
| E2 | Sep 30, 1998 | Easy Money | |
| E3 | Oct 21, 1998 | The Ladies' Man | |
| E4 | Oct 28, 1998 | Mojo Rising | |
| E5 | Nov 04, 1998 | Dead Men Don't Throw Rice | |
| E6 | Nov 11, 1998 | Odds | |
| E7 | Nov 18, 1998 | Mountie Sings The Blues | |
| E8 | Dec 16, 1998 | Good For The Soul | |
| E9 | Jan 21, 1999 | A Likely Story | |
| E10 | Mar 04, 1999 | Say Amen | |
| E11 | Mar 11, 1999 | Hunting Season | |
| E12 | Mar 14, 1999 | Call Of The Wild (1) | |
| E13 | Mar 14, 1999 | Call Of The Wild (2) |
Franchise Status: The series remains a standalone property with no active revival or spin-off projects in production despite recurring fan campaigns.
Due South remains a definitive pillar of crime comedy television, having concluded its influential run on CTV. The series achieved a unique cross-border synergy by blending Canadian politeness with American procedural tropes, anchored by the impeccable chemistry between Paul Gross and David Marciano. Its legacy is defined by a whimsical yet sincere tone that balanced surrealism, such as the frequent appearances of a ghost father, with genuine character growth and emotional depth.
Fans return to the show for its comforting atmosphere and the iconic portrayal of Benton Fraser, whose unwavering moral compass provides a nostalgic escape from more cynical modern dramas. The program served as a cultural bridge that celebrated national identity while poking gentle fun at international stereotypes, ensuring its place as a rewatch staple. Its soundtrack and quirky humor continue to influence the quirky procedural subgenre, maintaining a dedicated cult following decades after its final broadcast.