Wild Cards (TV series)
{{For|the upcoming TV series based on the Wild Cards science fiction books|Wild Cards#Television}}
{{Short description|Canadian police procedural television series}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Wild_cards_tv_series.png
| creator = Michael Konyves
| developer =
| writer =
| story =
| director =
| creative_director =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| music =
| open_theme =
| end_theme =
| composer =
| country = {{Plainlist|
- Canada
- United States
}}
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 23
| num_specials =
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Michael Konyves
- James Genn
- Shawn Piller
- Lloyd Segan
- Alexandra Zarowny
- James Thorpe
- Noelle Carbone
- Morwyn Brebner
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Charles Cooper
- Virginia Rankin
}}
| location =
| cinematography =
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 43 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Blink49 Studios
- Front Street Pictures
- Piller-Segan Productions
}}
| budget =
| network = CBC Television
| first_aired = {{Start date|2024|1|10}}
| last_aired = present
| network2 = The CW
| first_aired2 = {{start date|2024|1|17}}
| last_aired2 = present
}}
Wild Cards is a police procedural television series co-produced by the Canadian CBC Television network and American network The CW. It premiered on January 10, 2024 in Canada, followed by its U.S. premiere on January 17, 2024.
On May 23, 2024, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on January 8, 2025, in Canada, and on February 5, 2025, in the U.S.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2024-05-23 |title='Wild Cards' Renewed For Season 2 At The CW & CBC |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/wild-cards-renewed-season-2-the-cw-cbc-1235928416/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2024-11-20 |title=The CW Midseason Premiere Dates: ‘All American’ Season 7, ‘Wild Cards’ Season 2, More |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/the-cw-midseason-premiere-dates-all-american-season-7-wild-cards-1236182589/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Premise
Cole Ellis, a detective demoted to water-cop duty, is called to transport Max Mitchell, a seasoned con woman. While awaiting booking at the station, she cracks a major case for him involving the mayor's friends. The pair are offered an opportunity at redemption{{snd}}Ellis a chance to get back his detective post, and Max a chance to stay out of jail{{snd}}but they just have to work together.
Cast
- Vanessa Morgan as Max Mitchell
- Giacomo Gianniotti as Cole Ellis
- Jason Priestley as George Graham
- Terry Chen as Chief Patrick Li
- Michael Xavier as Detective Simmons
- Amy Goodmurphy as Detective Yates
- Fletcher Donovan as Ricky Wilson
- Karin Konoval as Commissioner Russo
- Jonesy as Marc, Cole's Devon Rex companion
Recurring
- Giacomo Baessato as Officer Jim
- Caroline Battista as Officer Toni
- Martin Sheen as Joseph Edwards, a con man who has ties to Max and George (season 2){{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=2024-12-16 |title=Martin Sheen, Ally Sheedy and More Join ‘Wild Cards’ as Season 2 Guest Stars (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/wild-cards-season-2-casts-martin-sheen-ally-sheedy-1236248740/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
- Manuela Sosa as Coroner Olive
Guest Stars
- Ally Sheedy as Rose Pruett, a tough no-nonsense ranch owner (season 2)
- Marie Avgeropoulos as Nadia Evans, a street racer and no-nonsense mother (season 2)
- Tony D’Angelo as Jaws, a criminal mastermind (season 2)
- Katie Findlay as Maddy, Max's best friend and former partner-in-crime (season 2)
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| color1 = #87BDD5
| link1 = #Season 1 (2024)
| episodes1 = 10
| start1 = {{Start date|2024|1|17}}
| end1 = {{End date|2024|3|20}}
| color2 = #64FFFF
| link2 = #Season 2 (2025)
| episodes2 = 13
| start2 = {{Start date|2025|2|5}}
| end2 = {{End date|2025|4|30}}
}}
=Season 1 (2024)=
{{Episode table |background=#87BDD5 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateT=Canada air date |altdate= |altdateT=U.S. air date |viewers= |aux4= |aux4T=Rating/share
(18-49) |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Infinity Thief
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Michael Konyves
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|10}}
|AltDate = January 17, 2024
|ShortSummary = To regain his detective status, Cole Ellis, a demoted by-the-book cop, is assigned to work with Max Mitchell, a spirited con artist whose charismatic street smarts could help catch an elusive thief.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Show Me the Murder
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Morwyn Brebner
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|17}}
|AltDate = January 24, 2024
|ShortSummary = A community outreach lecture on porch pirates turns into a murder investigation when Max and Ellis find an elite sports agent dead in his condo. Max's dad George gives her advice from his jail cell.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Howl to Get Away with Murder
|DirectedBy = Lee Rose
|WrittenBy = {{WritingCredits|t=Sabrina Sherif|s=James Thorpe}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|24}}
|AltDate = January 31, 2024
|ShortSummary = Things go from quaint to creepy when Max and Ellis look into the disappearance of a butcher in a small rural town, Max quizzes Ellis on his personal life.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Strangers on a Wave
|DirectedBy = Lee Rose
|WrittenBy = Noelle Carbone
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|1|31}}
|AltDate = February 7, 2024
|ShortSummary = After a surfer gets shot and washes up on the beach, Ellis goes under cover and Max puts on her detective hat to unravel a criminal plot worthy of Hitchcock.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = The Accountant of Monte Cristo
|DirectedBy = Shawn Piller
|WrittenBy = Marcus Robinson & Kristin Slaney
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|7}}
|AltDate = February 14, 2024
|ShortSummary = After an infamous accountant set to testify against the mob is kidnapped, Ellis gets an urgent call from an old friend to help get him back, Chief Li tells Max and Ellis they're on thin ice.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Dead of Night
|DirectedBy = Shawn Piller
|WrittenBy = Robina Lord-Stafford
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|14}}
|AltDate = February 21, 2024
|ShortSummary = Max and Ellis go behind-the-scenes of a long-running vampire TV show when a stalker sends cryptic death threats to the cast. Max opens up to Ellis about her mom.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Con with the Wind
|DirectedBy = Winnifred Jong
|WrittenBy = Seneca Aaron & Marcus Robinson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|21}}
|AltDate = February 28, 2024
|ShortSummary = George gets a three-day pass from jail to spend his birthday with Max and feels the urge to pull one more con.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Eternal Sunshine of the Therapized Mind
|DirectedBy = Winnifred Jong
|WrittenBy = Alexandra Zarowny
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|2|28}}
|AltDate = March 6, 2024
|ShortSummary = When a celebrated therapist and best-selling author is murdered, a bickering Max and Ellis go undercover as a married couple at her wellness retreat and discover more than their chakras.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Inside (Con)Man
|DirectedBy = Alexandria LaRoche
|WrittenBy = Marsha Greene
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|3|6}}
|AltDate = March 13, 2024
|ShortSummary = When Max is taken hostage during a bank robbery, Ellis goes against protocol to secretly infiltrate the bank, where he and Max work together to negotiate the release of hostages.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Romancing the Egg
|DirectedBy = Amanda Tapping
|WrittenBy = Marcus Robinson & James Thorpe & Alexandra Zarowny
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2024|3|13}}
|AltDate = March 20, 2024
|ShortSummary = Ellis is drawn into a case involving Max, her ex, and a world-famous Imperial egg, where a cat-and-mouse heist tests their friendship, their partnership, and their trust in each other.
|LineColor = 87BDD5
}}
}}
=Season 2 (2025)=
{{Episode table |background=#64FFFF |overall= |season= |title= |titleR={{Cite web |title=Wild Cards Shows CBC Gem |url=https://gem.cbc.ca/wild-cards |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=cbc.ca}}{{Cite web |title=The CW Press - Episodes Wild Cards |url=https://www.cwtvpr.com/the-cw/shows/wild-cards/episodes |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=CW Press}} |director= |directorR= |writer= |writerR= |airdate= |airdateR={{Cite web |title=Wild Cards Season 2 – Listings |url=https://tvlistings.gracenote.com/overview-affiliates.html?programSeriesId=SH04899007&tabName=guide&season=2 |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=Zap2It}} |airdateT=Canada air date |altdate= |altdateT=U.S. air date |altdateR={{Cite web |title=Shows A-Z – Wild Cards on CW |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/wild-cards/listings/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=The Futon Critic}} |viewers= |aux4= |aux4T=Rating/share
(18-49) |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Con in 60 Seconds
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Michael Konyves & James Thorpe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|8}}
|AltDate = February 5, 2025
|ShortSummary = New case, a high-speed street racing ring.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Once a Con a Time in the West
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Marcus Robinson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|15}}
|AltDate = February 12, 2025
|ShortSummary = Attempted murderer of a ranch family's stud horse.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = The Lorne Identity
|DirectedBy = Shawn Piller
|WrittenBy = Kristin Slaney
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|22}}
|AltDate = February 19, 2025
|ShortSummary = A paranoid biomedical engineer with a case of amnesia.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Dial 'A' for Alibi
|DirectedBy = Shawn Piller
|WrittenBy = Alexandra Zaroney
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|1|29}}
|AltDate = February 26, 2025
|ShortSummary = Stuck at home with a sprained ankle and a pair of binoculars, aka "Rear Window".
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Catch Me if You Con
|DirectedBy = Shawn Piller
|WrittenBy = Carina Samuels
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|5}}
|AltDate = March 5, 2025
|ShortSummary = Max's childhood bestie visits.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Séance and Sensibility
|DirectedBy = Alexandra LaRoche
|WrittenBy = James Thorpe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|12}}
|AltDate = March 12, 2025
|ShortSummary = Mysterious murder among an eccentric family where everyone is a suspect.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = The Big Bang Theory
|DirectedBy = Alexandra LaRoche
|WrittenBy = Gorrman Lee
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|19}}
|AltDate = March 19, 2025
|ShortSummary = Bomb threat, trapped in the police station.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Death By Design
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Alexandra Zarowny
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|2|26}}
|AltDate = March 26, 2025
|ShortSummary = When the head of a popular streetwear clothing brand dies, Max and Ellis find themselves investigating a murder within the world of haute couture, fashion models and overworked assistants.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Barking Bad
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Marcus Robinson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|5}}
|AltDate = April 2, 2025
|ShortSummary = A murdered dog show judge.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Our Lip (Fillers) Are Sealed
|DirectedBy = Darcy Waite
|WrittenBy = Michael Konyves & K. Slaney
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|12}}
|AltDate = April 9, 2025
|ShortSummary = Reality show murder.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 21
|EpisodeNumber2 = 11
|Title = Bride and Doom
|DirectedBy = Shannon Kohli
|WrittenBy = James Thorpe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|19}}
|AltDate = April 16, 2025
|ShortSummary = Espionage and counterintelligence when a spy becomes the target of a murder attempt on her wedding day. Some foreshadowing for the next episode and Max's role revealed by the Uncle.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 22
|EpisodeNumber2 = 12
|Title = Clouds In My Eyes
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Michael Konyves
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|26}}
|AltDate = April 23, 2025
|ShortSummary = Ellis gets new information that leads him to a jazz club and possibly the person responsible for Daniel's death; Max poses as a singer at the club to gather intel; George goes before the parole board.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 23
|EpisodeNumber2 = 13
|Title = Sunrise Sunset
|RTitle = {{Cite web|title=(#213) "Sunrise, Sunset"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20250411cw06/|access-date=April 11, 2025|website=The Futon Critic}}
|DirectedBy = James Genn
|WrittenBy = Michael Konyves & James Thorpe
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|4|2}}
|AltDate = April 30, 2025
|Viewers =
|Aux4 =
|ShortSummary = Ellis makes a shocking discovery about the criminal kingpin responsible for Daniel's death, and who is protecting him; Max, George and Ricky try to solve the cryptic clues hidden in Ashford's office.
|LineColor = 64FFFF
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
In early June 2023, CBC announced its new dramas for the 2023–24 season would include a new show titled Wild Cards from showrunner Michael Konyves. Shawn Piller would serve as executive producer, with Noelle Carbone as head writer/executive producer, and James Genn as pilot director/executive producer. Later that same month it was confirmed that production and filming had begun.{{cite web |last1=Ahearn |first1=Victoria |title=CBC sets new series and FAST channels for 2023-24 slate |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2023/06/01/cbc-sets-new-series-and-fast-channels-for-2023-24-slate/ |website=Playback |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=June 1, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Gittins |first1=Susan |title=CBC's Cop-Con Detective Show WILD CARDS Filming in Vancouver This Summer & Fall |url=https://hollywoodnorthbuzz.com/2023/06/cbcs-cop-con-detective-show-wild-cards-filming-in-vancouver-this-summer-fall.html |website=Hollywood North Buzz |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=June 16, 2023}} The series is produced Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan in association with CBC Television in Canada; in October 2023, it was announced that The CW in the U.S. would also produce the series.{{cite web |last1=Jacobs |first1=Meredith |title=The CW Orders Scripted Series 'Wild Cards' & 'Sight Unseen' for 2024 |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1108098/wild-cards-sight-unseen-vanessa-morgan-daniel0-gillies-giacomo-gianniotti-cw/ |website=TV Insider |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=October 12, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Rice |first1=Lynette |title=The CW Picks Up 'Wild Cards' & "Sight Unseen' For 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/the-cw-picks-up-wild-cards-sight-unseen-canadian-dramas-1235571688/ |website=Deadline |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=October 12, 2023}}
=Casting=
In early October 2023, the first casting announcements were made for the two main roles with Giacomo Gianniotti to play the cop and Vanessa Morgan to play the con woman.{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Elizabeth |title=VANESSA MORGAN AND GIACOMO GIANNIOTTI TO STAR IN NEW CBC ORIGINAL CRIME-SOLVING DRAMA WILD CARDS |url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/vanessa-morgan-and-giacomo-gianniotti-to-star-in-new-cbc-original-crime-sol |website=CBC.ca |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=October 12, 2023}} In December 2023, it was announced that Jason Priestley had joined the cast.{{cite web |last1=Goldbart |first1=Max |title=Jason Priestley Boards Canadian Detective Drama 'Wild Cards'; CBC & CW Premiere Dates Set |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/jason-priestley-wild-cards-cbc-the-cw-1235650516/ |website=Deadline |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=December 4, 2023}}
=Filming=
Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia between July 24, 2023 and October 27, 2023, followed by a single day of filming in Toronto, Ontario.
Release
Wild Cards was ordered to series by both Canadian broadcaster CBC and U.S. network The CW. The 10 episode{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1493460-wild-cards-season-1-how-many-episodes-when-do-new-episodes-come-out |title=Wild Cards Season 1: How Many Episodes & When Do New Episodes Come Out? |last=Roy |first=Joon |date=January 18, 2024 |website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=March 14, 2024}} first season premiered on January 10, 2024 on CBC Television in Canada and its associated digital streaming platform CBC Gem, as well as on-demand and both platforms' respective websites in Canada, and on January 17, 2024 on The CW,{{cite web |last1=Gittins |first1=Susan |title=Vancouver's WILD CARDS With Vanessa Morgan Debuts This January on CBC/CW |url=https://hollywoodnorthbuzz.com/2023/12/vancouvers-own-wild-cards-with-vanessa-morgan-giacomo-gionniotti-premieres-this-january.html |website=Hollywood North Buzz |access-date=December 6, 2023 |date=December 4, 2023}} and the following day its app, on-demand and its website in the United States.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 critic reviews.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=wild_cards|title=Wild Cards |type=tv|season=1|access-date=March 7, 2024|publisher_hide=y}}{{cbignore}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
{{CBC Television shows (current and upcoming)}}
{{The CW programming}}
Category:2024 Canadian television series debuts
Category:2020s Canadian drama television series
Category:2020s Canadian crime drama television series
Category:CBC Television original programming
Category:Canadian English-language television shows