Due South: Season 02  (1994)

Theatrical Release Information:
Due South: Season 02

Canceled by CBS at the end of its first season, the lighthearted cop series Due South was kept alive for a second season on Canada's CTV network. And a good thing, too -- stuck with a lackluster 1995-1996 lineup, CBS was able to bring Due South back to American screens as a midseason replacement. By now, transplanted Canadian mountie Benton Fraser (Paul Gross) has grown comfortable in his new Chicago surroundings -- though whether or not Chicago is comfortable with the unorthodox, incredibly naïve Constable Fraser, to say nothing of Fraser's unpredictable pet wolfhound Diefenbaker, is another matter entirely! Still partnered with street-smart Chicago police detective Ray Vecchio (David Marciano), and still the object of affection for both the 27th precinct's civilian aide Elaine (Catherine Bruhler) and Ray's brash young sister Francesca (Ramona Milano), Benton is now the servant of two masters, answerable to both Ray's superior officer Captain Welsh (Beau Starr) and his own commander at the local Canadian Consulate, the beautiful but stern Inspector Margaret Thatcher (Camilla Scott). Though there's no love lost between Benton and Margaret at the outset of the season, their relationship has warmed up considerably by year's end. Assisting Benton at the Consulate is the bumbling Constable Renfield Turnbull (Dean McDermott). Other cast additions this season are Captain Welsh's boss and erstwhile girlfriend, Cmdr. Sherry O'Neill (Sherry Miller), and Ray Vecchio's irksome ex-wife Angie -- ironically played by actor David Marciano's real-life spouse (Katayoun Marciano). Absent from the proceedings is Daniel Kash as Det. Louie Gardino, the partner of Ray's chief detective rival Jack Huey (Tony Craig). Though Due South was quite popular in Canada, it didn't do particularly well in the US, and was canceled (again!) by CBS at the end of its second season. Fortunately, CTV was able to finance two additional seasons for Canadian consumption with the help of various foreign TV distributors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide