Due South (1994–1999)

The cases of a cynical American police detective and a upright Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable in the city of Chicago.

Creator:

Paul Haggis

Stars:

Paul Gross, Beau Starr, Tony Craig

18 wins & 37 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Paul Gross	...	Constable Benton Fraser (67 episodes, 1994-1999)
Beau Starr	...	Lt. Harding Welsh (66 episodes, 1994-1999)
Tony Craig	...	Jack Huey (66 episodes, 1994-1999)
David Marciano	...	Ray Vecchio (44 episodes, 1994-1999)
Catherine Bruhier	...	Elaine Besbriss (43 episodes, 1994-1997)
Gordon Pinsent	...	Fraser Sr. (40 episodes, 1994-1999)
Camilla Scott	...	Margaret Thatcher (38 episodes, 1995-1999)
Ramona Milano	...	Francesca Vecchio (35 episodes, 1994-1999)
Daniel Kash	...	Louis Gardino (31 episodes, 1994-1996)

Storyline

The third and fourth seasons of "Due South" pick up shortly after the first two left off. Fraser returns to Chicago, to find a blond has assumed Ray Vecchio's identity, and everyone just seems to accept it but him. Fraser and his new partner (real name Stanley Raymond Kowalski) soon find level ground to agree on, and work together to solve crimes on the mean streets of Chicago.

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Plot Keywords:

royal canadian mounted police | rcmp | mounted police officer | chicago illinois | police officer | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Comedy | Crime

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tandem de choc

Filming Locations:

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Alliance Communications Corporation, Baton Broadcasting Incorporated (BBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

46 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For a time, this was considered the most popular Canadian-based and produced TV series ever shown on a US network. After a break in production following the first two seasons, the producers were able to obtain international funding to continue production.

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Goofs

Most of the city scenes are set in Chicago, IL, USA. However, if you watch the street signs you will see 'One Way' and 'Do Not Enter' signs without words on them, which are typical for Canadian cities (due to bilingualism laws worded signs would have to be in English and French). Also, speed limit signs can be seen posted in kilometers/hour instead of miles.

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Quotes

Ray Vecchio: So you're me.
Ray Kowalski: And you're not you.
Ray Vecchio: That's a good one. Unlike the clothes.
Ray Kowalski: Something wrong with them?
Ray Vecchio: Well, nothing if you're a ... bag lady. You see, I had a rep. I was a slick dresser.
Ray Kowalski: Oh yeah, like a style pig, you mean.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Final Sacrifice (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Robert Mackensie"
by Paul Gross

User Reviews

An interesting show from CBS and CTV

I was very disappointed to hear in 1995 that "Due South" was being canceled, because it was one of the few interesting Canadian/American endeavors to hit the tube in years. Paul Gross and David Marciano were well-matched as partners, and were what made the series fun. It's surprising that "Due South" rated so poorly in both Canada and America, because it had a wit and humor that is often lacking in some of the more popular American dramas. Benton Fraser (Gross) and Ray Vecchio (Marciano) launch pithy one-liners off of each other, never batting an eyelash when the other does something that seems outlandish to them. Fraser can be a tad over-exaggerated as a result of the American desire to create the stereotypical Canadian, but this seems to decrease somewhat in the second season, after the US stepped away from the show. Marciano continues through both seasons to be well-written and funny, both with his personal fashion sense and his large, over-bearing family. A nice get-away from the usual violent cop show.