Wild Cards (TV series)

Last updated

Wild Cards
Created by Michael Konyves
Starring
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes19
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Charles Cooper
  • Virginia Rankin
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
  • Blink49 Studios
  • Front Street Pictures
  • Piller-Segan Productions
Original release
Network CBC Television
ReleaseJanuary 10, 2024 (2024-01-10) 
present
Network The CW
ReleaseJanuary 17, 2024 (2024-01-17) 
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.

Contents

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. [1] [2]

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 Ellis a chance to get back his detective post, and Max a chance to stay out of jail but they just have to work together.

Cast

Recurring

Guest Stars

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 10January 10, 2024 (2024-01-10)March 13, 2024 (2024-03-13)
2 13 [4] January 8, 2025 (2025-01-08)TBA

Season 1 (2024)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [5] [6] [4] Directed by [5] [4] Written by [5] [4] Canada air date [6] U.S. air date [4] U.S. viewers
(millions)
Rating/share
(18-49)
11"The Infinity Thief" James Genn Michael Konyves January 10, 2024 (2024-01-10)January 17, 20240.50 [7] 0.04/0 [7]
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. [8]
22"Show Me the Murder"James Genn Morwyn Brebner January 17, 2024 (2024-01-17)January 24, 20240.56 [9] 0.08/1 [9]
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. [8]
33"Howl to Get Away with Murder" Lee Rose Story by: James Thorpe
Teleplay by: Sabrina Sherif
January 24, 2024 (2024-01-24)January 31, 20240.48 [10] 0.05/1 [10]
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. [8]
44"Strangers on a Wave"Lee RoseNoelle CarboneJanuary 31, 2024 (2024-01-31)February 7, 20240.52 [11] 0.08/1 [11]
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. [8]
55"The Accountant of Monte Cristo" Shawn Piller Marcus Robinson & Kristin SlaneyFebruary 7, 2024 (2024-02-07)February 14, 20240.52 [12] 0.07/1 [12]
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. [8]
66"Dead of Night"Shawn PillerRobina Lord-StaffordFebruary 14, 2024 (2024-02-14)February 21, 20240.45 [13] 0.06/1 [13]
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. [8]
77"Con with the Wind"Winnifred JongSeneca Aaron & Marcus RobinsonFebruary 21, 2024 (2024-02-21)February 28, 20240.47 [14] 0.04/0 [14]
George gets a three-day pass from jail to spend his birthday with Max and feels the urge to pull one more con. [8]
88"Eternal Sunshine of the Therapized Mind"Winnifred JongAlexandra ZarownyFebruary 28, 2024 (2024-02-28)March 6, 20240.61 [15] 0.05/1 [15]
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. [8]
99"Inside (Con)Man"Alexandria LaRoche Marsha Greene March 6, 2024 (2024-03-06)March 13, 20240.59 [16] 0.07/1 [16]
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. [8]
1010"Romancing the Egg" Amanda Tapping Marcus Robinson & James Thorpe & Alexandra ZarownyMarch 13, 2024 (2024-03-13)March 20, 20240.54 [17] 0.06/1 [17]
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. [8]

Season 2 (2025)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [18] [5] [19] [4] Directed by [5] [4] Written by [5] [4] Canada air date [18] [19] U.S. air date [4] U.S. viewers
(millions)
Rating/share
(18-49)
111"Con in 60 Seconds" James Genn Michael Konyves & James Thorpe January 8, 2025 (2025-01-08)February 5, 20250.57 [20] 0.05/1 [20]
New case, a high-speed street racing ring.
122"Once a Con a Time in the West"James GennMarcus RobinsonJanuary 15, 2025 (2025-01-15)February 12, 20250.50 [21] 0.06/1 [21]
Attempted murderer of a ranch family's stud horse.
133"The Lorne Identity" Shawn Piller Kristin SlaneyJanuary 22, 2025 (2025-01-22)February 19, 20250.43 [22] 0.03/0 [22]
A paranoid biomedical engineer with a case of amnesia.
144"Dial 'A' for Alibi"Shawn PillerAlexandra ZaroneyJanuary 29, 2025 (2025-01-29)February 26, 20250.42 [23] 0.02/0 [23]
Stuck at home with a sprained ankle and a pair of binoculars, aka "Rear Window".
155"Catch Me if You Con"Shawn PillerCarina SamuelsFebruary 5, 2025 (2025-02-05)March 5, 20250.43 [24] 0.03/0 [24]
Max's childhood bestie visits.
166"Séance and Sensibility" [25] Alexandra LaRocheJames ThorpeFebruary 12, 2025 (2025-02-12)March 12, 2025TBDTBA
Mysterious murder among an eccentric family where everyone is a suspect.
177"The Big Bang Theory" [26] Alexandra LaRocheGorrman LeeFebruary 19, 2025 (2025-02-19)March 19, 2025TBDTBA
Bomb threat, trapped in the police station.
188"Death By Design"TBATBAFebruary 26, 2025 (2025-02-26)TBATBDTBA
Murder within the world of haute couture, fashion models and overworked assistants.
199"Barking Bad"TBATBAMarch 5, 2025 (2025-03-05)TBATBDTBA
A murdered dog show judge.
2010"Our Lip (Fillers) Are Sealed"TBATBAMarch 12, 2025 (2025-03-12)TBATBDTBA
Reality show murder.
2111"Bride and Doom"TBATBAMarch 19, 2025 (2025-03-19)TBATBDTBA

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. [27] [28] 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. [29] [30]

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. [31] In December 2023, it was announced that Jason Priestley had joined the cast. [32]

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. [33]

Release

Wild Cards was ordered to series by both Canadian broadcaster CBC and U.S. network The CW. The 10 episode [34] 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, [33] 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. [35]

References

  1. White, Peter (May 23, 2024). "'Wild Cards' Renewed For Season 2 At The CW & CBC". Deadline. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. Petski, Denise (November 20, 2024). "The CW Midseason Premiere Dates: 'All American' Season 7, 'Wild Cards' Season 2, More". Deadline. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  3. Shanfeld, Ethan (December 16, 2024). "Martin Sheen, Ally Sheedy and More Join 'Wild Cards' as Season 2 Guest Stars (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Shows A-Z – Wild Cards on CW". The Futon Critic . Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The CW Press - Episodes Wild Cards". CW Press. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Wild Cards Season 1 – Listings". Zap2It . Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (January 17, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: NBC Easily Tops Prime Time with Return of Dick Wolf's Chicago Dramas". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "CW Original — Wild Cards". CWTV. The CW Network. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (January 24, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: NBC on Top with Chicago Trio, ABC's NBA Among 18-34 Leaders". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (January 31, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: NBC Tops in All Key Prime Time Figures". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 7, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: Abbott Elementary Season Premiere on ABC Tops Its Hour Among Adults 18-49 and 18-34". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 14, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: Game Shows Help CBS Take Broadcast Demo Crown, NBC Still Tops in Viewers with Chicago Reruns". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  13. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 21, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: The Challenge Crowns New Champion in 39th Season Finale on MTV". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 28, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: Survivor 46th Season Premiere Helps CBS to Key Demos Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 6, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: Fox Distant Runner-Up in Key Demos with The Masked Singer and Animal Control Season Premieres and New Night for Family Guy". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 13, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: CBS Leads the Night as The Amazing Race Returns for its 36th Season". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 21, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: truTV Among Key Demo Leaders with March Madness First Four Action". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Wild Cards Shows CBC Gem". cbc.ca. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Wild Cards Season 2 – Listings". Zap2It . Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  20. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 6, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials on CBS Steady in Demos from Year-Ago Special". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 13, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: The Masked Singer 13th Season Premiere Helps Fox Win Broadcast Among 18-49 and 25-54". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 21, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: NBC Again Leads the Night with Chicago Lineup". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (February 27, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: Survivor 48th Season Premiere Lifts CBS to Top All Prime Time Demos". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  24. 1 2 Pucci, Douglas (March 6, 2025). "Wednesday Ratings: Survivor and 37th Premiere of The Amazing Race Gives CBS the Lead in Nearly Every Demo". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  25. "(#206) "Séance and Sensibility"". The Futon Critic . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  26. "(#207) "The Big Bang Theory"". The Futon Critic . Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  27. Ahearn, Victoria (June 1, 2023). "CBC sets new series and FAST channels for 2023-24 slate". Playback . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  28. Gittins, Susan (June 16, 2023). "CBC's Cop-Con Detective Show WILD CARDS Filming in Vancouver This Summer & Fall". Hollywood North Buzz. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  29. Jacobs, Meredith (October 12, 2023). "The CW Orders Scripted Series 'Wild Cards' & 'Sight Unseen' for 2024". TV Insider . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  30. Rice, Lynette (October 12, 2023). "The CW Picks Up 'Wild Cards' & "Sight Unseen' For 2024". Deadline . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  31. Reid, Elizabeth (October 12, 2023). "VANESSA MORGAN AND GIACOMO GIANNIOTTI TO STAR IN NEW CBC ORIGINAL CRIME-SOLVING DRAMA WILD CARDS". CBC.ca . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  32. Goldbart, Max (December 4, 2023). "Jason Priestley Boards Canadian Detective Drama 'Wild Cards'; CBC & CW Premiere Dates Set". Deadline . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  33. 1 2 Gittins, Susan (December 4, 2023). "Vancouver's WILD CARDS With Vanessa Morgan Debuts This January on CBC/CW". Hollywood North Buzz. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  34. Roy, Joon (January 18, 2024). "Wild Cards Season 1: How Many Episodes & When Do New Episodes Come Out?". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  35. "Wild Cards: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved March 7, 2024.