As we step into 2025, what if your idyllic seaside town wasn’t so peaceful after all?
Fox’s new mystery series, Murder in a Small Town, dives headfirst into the shadows of coastal beauty, unraveling dark secrets and gripping tales of crime and connection.
Premiered on September 24, 2024, the show brings L.R. Wright’s acclaimed novels to life with an intriguing blend of atmosphere and suspense.
What’s the Story of Murder in a Small Town About?
Set in the scenic coastal town of Gibsons, British Columbia, the series follows Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland), a former Minneapolis detective seeking solace from the toll of big-city police work.
His hope for peace is shattered when bodies begin washing up on shore, unearthing the dark underbelly of the idyllic town.
Partnering with local librarian Cassandra Mitchell (Kristin Kreuk), Alberg embarks on a series of gripping investigations that intertwine murder, mystery, and romance.
The show adapts L.R. Wright’s Karl Alberg Mysteries, a series of nine novels, with the first book The Suspect earning the Edgar Award for Best Novel.
It artfully captures the essence of Wright’s storytelling—complex characters navigating their pasts in a community hiding secrets of its own.
Murder in a Small Town Cast and Characters: Who’s Who in Gibsons?
Main Cast
- Rossif Sutherland (ER, Reign): As Karl Alberg, Sutherland embodies the world-weary detective haunted by his past.
- Kristin Kreuk (Smallville, Beauty & the Beast): Kreuk portrays Cassandra Mitchell, a sharp-witted librarian whose connection with Alberg becomes central to the story.
- Mya Lowe (Yellowjackets): Corporal Edwina Yen, an ambitious officer grappling with small-town politics.
- Savonna Spracklin (Yellowstone): Isabella Harbud, the witty Indigenous receptionist balancing duty and personal struggles.
- Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica): Sergeant Sid Sokolowski, Alberg’s loyal but often overwhelmed second-in-command.
- Fritzy-Klevans Destine (The Boys): Constable Andy Kendrick, a rookie with raw potential but frequent missteps.
Special Guest Stars
- James Cromwell (Succession, Babe): George Wilcox, a grieving widower with buried secrets.
- Stana Katic (Castle): Zoe Strachan, a reclusive woman whose enigmatic demeanor conceals volatile emotions.
- Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol): Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, a psychiatrist aiding investigations with chilling insights.
Episode Guide: Season One
- The Suspect – September 24, 2024
- Fall from Grace – October 1, 2024
- A Chill Rain – October 8, 2024
- Prized Possessions – October 16, 2024
- A Touch of Panic – October 23, 2024
- The Madness Method – November 13, 2024
- Family Concerns – November 20, 2024
- Sleep While I Sing – November 27, 2024
The series comprises eight tightly woven episodes directed by Milan Cheylov (24, The Cleaning Lady) and Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG-1).
Production Insights
- Murder in a Small Town was filmed on location in Gibsons, British Columbia, including the iconic Molly’s Reach restaurant, a nod to Canada’s classic series The Beachcombers.
- Ian Weir, the show’s head writer and executive producer, reunites with Kristin Kreuk after their collaboration on Edgemont.
- This marks Fox’s first international co-production with Sepia Films and ITV Studios, leveraging a global partnership to deliver cinematic storytelling.
Critical Reception
The show’s premiere garnered a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its lush visuals and compelling performances but critiqued for pacing inconsistencies.
Metacritic’s score of 56/100 reflects a mix of admiration for the lead actors and debate over the adaptation’s fidelity to the novels.
Renewal and Future Prospects
On January 16, 2025, Fox renewed Murder in a Small Town for a second season, confirming its growing fanbase and critical intrigue.
The renewal promises a deeper exploration of the characters and the town’s layered history.
Where and When to Watch
As of 2025, all eight episodes of Murder in a Small Town Season 1 have aired, concluding on November 27, 2024.
The series is now available for streaming on Hulu for viewers in the United States.
For fans of atmospheric mystery dramas, the series delivers a fresh take on the genre, combining coastal beauty with haunting storytelling. Don’t miss the unfolding secrets of Gibsons!