The popular CBC detective show “Republic of Doyle” will launch its third season on January 11th, and the debut episode will star Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe.
The special season opener will see Crowe reunite with the trio who played the Merry Men to his title character in Ridley Scott’s 2010 blockbuster “Robin Hood” – Alan Doyle (of Great Big Sea fame), Scott Grimes (“American Dad,” “ER”), and Kevin Durand (“Lost,” “Glenn Martin DDS”). The four will play a group of troublemakers causing headaches for Doyle and company on the streets of St. John’s.
“Republic of Doyle” premiered back in 2009 and immediately garnered buzz as well as good reviews. It stars Allan Hawco as the charming and irreverent detective who struggles daily to navigate the complications of running the family P.I. business while keeping his very volatile private life in check. The cast also includes Lynda Boyd (“Sanctuary,” “The L Word”), Sean McGinley (“Single-Handed,” “The Running Mate”), and Krystin Pellerin (“The Tudors”). Produced by Take the Shot Productions, the drama has become a home-grown fave, with last season’s new episodes averaging more than one million weekly viewers and more than 60,000 fans on Facebook (according to the network). Hawko is also credited with being one of the co-creators of the show.
“Republic of Doyle” is shot in Newfoundland, and work on season three commenced in July of last year. The popular series returns with Crowe and Doyle on Wednesday, January 11th at 9pm on CBC.