Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent

A specialized unit in Toronto tackles the city’s most sensitive crimes, focusing on cases that attract media attention and political fallout. Detective Sergeant Henry Graff leads investigations with Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman at his side, and their work often crosses paths with Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester, who brings legal pressure and procedural precision. Episodes trace interviews, evidence gathering, surveillance and courtroom strategy as the team chases corruption, organized crime and high-profile conspiracies. The series keeps the emphasis on method and motive, showing how public reputations are shaped and unravel without revealing any major plot twists or endings.

Created by Tassie Cameron and Dick Wolf, the series premiered in 2024 as a Canadian installment of the Law & Order franchise, relocating the Criminal Intent formula to metro Toronto and featuring Aden Young, Kathleen Munroe, K.C. Collins and Karen Robinson in lead roles.

Given its recent debut, major industry awards were still pending, and there were no widely reported wins or nominations at the time of release.

As the franchise’s move to Canada, the show made Toronto feel like a central character, highlighting local institutions, neighborhoods and political textures. Its presence reignited interest in Canadian-set procedurals and prompted conversations about how big franchise formats translate to a different legal and cultural environment.

Critical and audience response has been mixed to favorable, reflected in a 6.9/10 average from early votes. Reviewers tended to praise the lead performances and the city-specific atmosphere, while some noted formulaic plotting in places. Themes that come up often include institutional accountability, the blurred line between public image and private wrongdoing, and the interplay between investigators and prosecutors as they try to secure justice under intense scrutiny.