"Da Vinci's Inquest" (1998) TV series 1998-2005

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Creator:

Chris Haddock

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

7 October 1998 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Drama

Tagline:

He has a way with people, especially when they're dead.

Plot:

A Vancouver cop turned coroner searches for truth and justice with the help of his friends.

Plot Keywords:

Coroner | Police | Detective | Forensic | Criminal Investigation

Awards:

34 wins & 56 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 20	2:05 AM	ABC	Wash the Blood Out of the Ring	#7.2
Mon. July 27	1:35 AM	ABC	That Sounds Like What We Call a Mutiny	#7.3

Cast

Nicholas Campbell	...	Dominic Da Vinci (91 episodes, 1998-2005)
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Det. Leo Shannon (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Venus Terzo	...	Det. Angela Kosmo (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Ian Tracey	...	Det. Mick Leary (90 episodes, 1998-2005)
Sarah Strange	...	Helen (81 episodes, 1998-2005)
Alex Diakun	...	Chick Savoy (80 episodes, 1998-2005)
Sarah-Jane Redmond	...	Sgt. Sheila Kurtz / ... (72 episodes, 1998-2005)
Gerard Plunkett	...	Chief Coroner Bob Kelly / ... (71 episodes, 1998-2005)
Suleka Mathew	...	Dr. Sunita 'Sunny' Ramen (66 episodes, 1998-2003)
Gwynyth Walsh	...	Dr. Patricia Da Vinci (52 episodes, 1998-2002)
Kimberly Hawthorne	...	Det. Rose Williams (42 episodes, 2000-2005)

Also Known As:

"Coroner Da Vinci" (Canada: French title) (dubbed version)

Runtime:

44 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Hungary:16

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Trivia:

The character of Dominic Da Vinci was based on the real-life B.C. Chief Coroner Doctor Larry Campbell, who after his tenure of coroner acted as a technical advisor on the show. In 2002 Larry Campbell was elected mayor of Vancouver.

Quotes:

Dominic Da Vinci: Not even if Hell freezes over and they play The Stanley Cup down there.

Movie Connections:

Followed by The Quality of Life (2008) (TV)

Exceptional...

I had heard about this series through friends who worked on set, but actually watched my first couple episodes in Honduras (go figure). I actually live and work in the downtown east side of Vancouver, where most of the series takes place. The imagery, and story lines, are quite true to the neighborhood. Most of the TV series coming out of Vancouver, use the backdrop and call it something else, often side stepping a lot of the uniqueness of the city in an effort to mask the location. DVI actually embrace Vancouver's look as well as problems, which makes thing leagues more genuine.

I LOVE the feel of the show, it's built on longterm story, and the evolution of characters over seasons instead of just episodes. The drama isn't overly heated, it's kept in range enough so to get into an almost documentary feel. Which actually has a better impact as it is taken for reality, more than say... Third Watch, or other "shaky-cam cop shows" that can get over the top dramatic, reminding you that these are actors, on a big budget set.

Canadian TV has always been pretty solid on drama and story, as there isn't always a budget big enough to blow up buildings, cars, or anything else for that matter. They are heavily supported by Canadian viewers. I will watch things sometimes just because they are Canadian, and am often quite surprised. And by Canadian, I mean real Canadian, not American companies, heading north in the interest in saving money.

All in all great show, great stories, great characters, in a great city. And Even though most of the focus is on the more seedy of areas of Vancouver, if you've ever lived there, you'll know there a certain charm to that area. Bottom line, take some time, and enjoy your first episode, It will go from there I'm sure.