Due South

Due South. This Canadian television series blends buddy cop conventions with comedy-drama and fish out of water storytelling. Created by Paul Haggis, the show follows the adventures of a polite Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable partnered with a streetwise Chicago Police Department detective. It became a significant hit in Canada and developed an international cult following, noted for its unique tone and character dynamics.

Premise and setting

The series centers on Constable Benton Fraser, an officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who is seconded to the Canadian consulate in Chicago, Illinois. Following the unsolved murder of his father, Sergeant Bob Fraser, Benton partners with Detective Raymond Vecchio of the Chicago Police Department's 27th Precinct. The primary setting juxtaposes the orderly, nature-oriented ethos of the Canadian North with the gritty, urban environment of Chicago. Key locations include the consulate, the police precinct, and Fraser's sparse apartment, with occasional episodes venturing to the Yukon or other parts of Canada. The core premise explores cultural clash and odd-couple partnership through a lens of procedural crime-solving.

Characters

The protagonist, Benton Fraser, is defined by his unwavering politeness, encyclopedic knowledge of wilderness survival, and deep moral code, often accompanied by his deaf wolf companion, Diefenbaker. His first partner, Raymond Vecchio, is a cynical, fast-talking detective with deep ties to his Italian-American family in Chicago. In later seasons, undercover assignment for Vecchio leads to his replacement by Stanley Raymond Kowalski, a similarly brash but more volatile detective. Supporting characters include the precinct's commanding officer, Lieutenant Harding Welsh; forensic examiner Dr. Elaine Besbriss; and consulate official Inspector Margaret "Meg" Thatcher. Recurring figures include Fraser's ghostly father, Bob Fraser, and the eccentric thief, Francesca Vecchio.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by acclaimed writer Paul Haggis, with early episodes directed by individuals like David Straiton. It was produced by Alliance Communications and filmed primarily in Toronto, with establishing shots of Chicago. The show premiered on the CTV Television Network in Canada and on CBS in the United States in April 1994. After its first season, CBS cancelled it, but strong fan campaigns and high ratings in Canada and the United Kingdom led to its revival for three additional seasons on CTV and syndication. The final episode aired in March 1999. The iconic theme music was composed by Jay Semko of the band The Northern Pikes.

Reception and legacy

Upon its debut, the series received positive reviews for its originality and the chemistry between Paul Gross and David Marciano. It won several Gemini Awards, including Best Dramatic Series, and earned accolades for actors like Callum Keith Rennie. Although its initial run on CBS was brief, it found lasting success in international syndication, particularly across Europe. The show is frequently cited as a defining example of Canadian television that achieved global recognition without sacrificing its national identity. It maintains a dedicated fanbase, and its blend of humor, heart, and procedural elements has influenced later genre-blending series.

Cultural impact

*Due South* is considered a landmark in Canadian cultural production, prominently featuring symbols like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Red Serge uniform. The character of Benton Fraser became an iconic, albeit quirky, symbol of Canadian politeness and integrity abroad. The series is often credited with helping to launch the international careers of Paul Gross and Paul Haggis, who later won an Academy Award for *Crash*. It was part of a wave of 1990s Canadian television exports that included *The Kids in the Hall* and *Degrassi*. References to the show appear in other media, and it remains a staple of nostalgia television programming and online fan communities.

Category:1990s Canadian television series Category:Canadian buddy cop television series Category:Canadian comedy-drama television series Category:Television series about police officers Category:Television series set in Chicago