We’re very sad to share that #Season3 of #PrettyHardCases will be our final season. Thank you to all of the amazing cast and crew who have worked with us these last three years and have made this show possible. pic.twitter.com/nqA5yi0FoH
— Pretty Hard Cases (@PrettyHardCases) February 8, 2023
A detective show with a dominant female cast with veteran female showrunners (Tassie Cameron and Sherry White) where the case isn't solved at the top of the hour (bottom of the hour in most of Newfoundland). Star appeal in the leads, one American (Adrienne C. Moore) and one Canadian (Meredith MacNeill). Different but women who work well together.
Pretty Hard Cases seemed like a strong hit that could have lasted several seasons. Instead, the CBC drama comes to a close late this winter on March 8. The show will finish with 32 episodes over 3 seasons.
Actors who play bad guys on detective dramas usually are one-and-done but the format of getting to come back week after week puts a human face on them. Dan Petronijevic (Letterkenny, 19-2) got to play twin criminals in Season 1 and Susan Kent showed her range also in Season 1. Charlotte Sullivan, who worked on Rookie Blue, which Cameron co-created, was memorable in Season 2.
We never really learn with Canadian TV cancellations, especially from the CBC, as to the reason why the cancellation is happening now. We don't get the feeling this was voluntarily but that may not be the CBC's fault. There are rumbles that point in a direction but we don't publish unsubstantiated speculation.
Either way, this is a loss of strong writing and enjoyable female characters above the age of 40.
We wanted to give some love to the other actors on the show. Al Mukadam (Det. Taai Nazeer) and Daren A. Herbert (DS Nathan Greene) serve as co-workers to the female detectives and sometimes love interests. The versatile and amazing Karen Robinson as Unit Commander Edwina Shanks.
Percy Hynes White (son of Sherry White) playing MacNeill's character's son, who was involved with criminal Jackie Sullivan (the incredible Katie Douglas). And yes, Percy Hynes White is also in Wednesday on Netflix.
Since Season 3 is currently running on CBC, the U.S. release would likely have to wait for a specific date. The first 2 seasons can be found in the United States on Amazon Freevee.
Homegrown dramas from this winter are likely to be limited runs. Essex County is set for 5 episodes and what sounds like a one-time shot. Plan B might have potential for a Season 2. That late Wednesday window in the winter screams for a great homegrown drama hit, like Pretty Hard Cases was when the program debuted.
2023 CBC television winter preview
CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
If you haven't jumped into Pretty Hard Cases, this could be a good place to start, especially since you know there are a limited number of episodes. Canadians can watch on CBC Gem while Americans can catch up on Freevee for the first 2 seasons (for now).
Twitter captures: @PrettyHardCases; @WomenAskAbout
photo credit: Pretty Hard Cases/CBC
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