Over a month after it landed on Netflix in the United Kingdom as a licensed title (among other regions), both seasons of the FOX crime proceduralMurder in a Small Townare headed to Netflix in the United States.
Originating as a co-production for Fox and Global, Murder in a Small Town debuted in 2024. Based on the Edgar Award-winning Alberg and Cassandra Mysteries by author L.R. Wright, the Canadian crime drama earned strong acclaim and returned for another season in September 2025. The series has already been renewed for a third season, which wrapped filming back in June 2026.
Thanks to its success on the streamer, Netflix has set sights on licensing the series to its library in numerous territories. The series first landed at Netflix back on March 25th, 2026 in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Then on August 1st, 2026, all 18 episodes landed on Netflix in the United Kingdom. On September 25th, Netflix in the United States becomes the latest territory to receive the show.
How has Murder in a Small Town performed on Netflix so far?
Murder in a Small Town was an immediate success on Netflix in the UK, breaking into 5th place in the streamer’s Top 10 rankings for the week of 8/9/26. Currently it has only spent one week in the top 10 on Netflix UK for August 2026.
When the series landed in Australia in March 2026, it spent two weeks in the Top 10, peaking at #2 behind Heartbreak High on 3/29/26.
What is Murder in a Small Town about?
Created by Ian Weir (Edgemont) and based on the nine-book series by Canadian author L.R. Wright, Murder in a Small Town takes place in a tight-knit community, although all is not as seemly as it looks at first glance.
We follow Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland), a world-class detective who’s burnt out and woebegone with working as a cop in the big city. In a workplace crisis, he decides to relocate to the quiet coastal town of Gibsons in the Pacific Northwest. While it offers picturesque landscapes and fresh air, the work is no less intense — and as murders continue to wash up on his shore, it’s as stressful as ever. But at least in Gibsons, he finds a companion in Cassandra (Kristin Kreuk), the local librarian who becomes both his muse and romantic interest.
The series began its journey as a straight book adaptation, but as it heads towards its third season, it’s carving out its own completely original story.
Who is in the cast?
- Rossif Sutherland (The Handmaid’s Tale, Paris Paris) as Chief Karl Alberg.
- Kristin Kreuk (Smallville, Burden of Truth) as Cassandra Lee.
- Marcia Gay Harden (The Morning Show, Mystic River) as Mayor Christie Holman (joined in S2).
- Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica) as Sergeant Sid Sokolowski.
- Mya Lowe as Edwina Yen.
- Bethany Brown as Corporal Laila Jackson.
- Savonna Spracklin as Isabella Harbud.
The series is also known for its guest appearances. So far, it has featured guest appearances from James Cromwell, Jamie Chung, and Castle alum Stana Katic.
When does Season 3 release?
Of course, Murder in a Small Town is a licensed pickup for Netflix, so we’ll have to see if the streamer picks it up later down the line. But naturally, given the show’s success on Netflix, fans are wondering when Season 3 will debut. The upcoming, 10-episode season officially wrapped filming in June 2026 in British Columbia.
What’s more, a report from Deadline has confirmed some key casting news, revealing that Peter Gallagher (The O.C., While You Were Sleeping) has joined the cast as a new series regular character named Rod Finlayson.
Murder in a Small Town (Seasons 1-2) joins a number of new licensed series joining Netflix’s library in September 2026. Take a look at the full lineup here.
