Frankie Drake Mysteries

Toronto in the 1920s becomes a bustling backdrop for Frankie Drake, the city's first woman private investigator who runs her own agency at a time when women are rarely seen behind a desk. Her curiosity, nerve, and knack for reading people push her into cases that elude the police and expose the seam between glamour and danger. Each episode drops her into a new puzzle, from daring aerial stunts and bootlegging schemes to political intrigue and social upheaval, all filtered through a wry, no-nonsense sensibility. She relies on a loyal circle of friends, including the quick-witted Trudy Clarke, the pragmatic Mary Shaw, and Flo Chakowitz, who keep the stories human and lively. The show is stylish, brisk, and character driven.

Created by Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci, Frankie Drake Mysteries premiered in 2017 as an original series. The show features a rotating roster of directors and a vivid 1920s Toronto backdrop.

Viewers and critics respond to the blend of period flavor with smart detection. The series leans into themes of female independence and professional grit, while balancing camaraderie within Frankie’s circle with the dangers, glamour, and moral ambiguity of the era.

Frankie Drake Mysteries stands out for centering a capable woman in a male-dominated field and for its detailed recreation of Toronto during the Jazz Age. It helped bring a distinctly Canadian voice to period crime stories, blending nostalgia with contemporary writing.