‘Murdoch Mysteries’ Season 20 Episode 3 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch and Preview
The next installment of ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ is titled ‘The Big Smoke,’ and it carries a listed release date of October 19, 2026. The story has Detective Murdoch sparring with boxer Jack Johnson after the fighter is implicated in the death of a man in his entourage.
This guide covers what ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ viewers need before the episode airs, including the schedule, the streaming options and the case itself. The series follows Detective William Murdoch, played by Yannick Bisson, as he applies innovative forensic techniques to some of the most gruesome murders in turn of the century Toronto.
Release Date for ‘The Big Smoke’
The episode is scheduled for October 19, 2026, and is directed by Harvey Crossland. The writing credit is shared by Maureen Jennings, Cal Coons, Alexandra Zarowny and R.B. Carney. The series is based on Jennings’ novels, and she writes one episode this season.
The listings point to a weekly rhythm. ‘Arcana Dei’ arrived on October 12, and ‘A Date with Fate’ follows on October 26. That places this episode squarely in the early stretch of the run.
The season has 21 episodes in total. Filming was scheduled to run from May 19 to December 18, 2026, so production overlaps with the broadcast window.
Air Time on CBC and Ovation TV
In Canada, the season arrives on CBC Gem at 8 PM, and Ovation TV airs the opener at 8 p.m. in the United States. Those are the slots tied to the season opener, and they set the expectation for the weekly schedule.
TV Insider exclusively revealed that the American run began on Monday, October 5, at 8/7c on Ovation TV. The report also confirmed that the series reached U.S. viewers in step with its Canadian debut.
Sol Doten, an Ovation TV marketing executive, said the show has held audiences for almost two decades through its detective work, characters and historical storytelling. Viewers who want to confirm the slot for a specific week should check local listings, since the published scheduling details center on the premiere.
Where to Watch ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ Online
Canadian viewers can stream the season on CBC Gem. The service offers the show for free with ads.
For viewers who rely on Acorn TV, one earlier report expected the season to arrive there about 120 days after its broadcast debut, which usually works out to February. The episode listing also names Acorn TV as the network.
That same report noted that earlier seasons were already available on the platform. Anyone catching up before the new episodes can plan around that window.
Preview of the Jack Johnson Case in ‘The Big Smoke’
The episode brings Murdoch into contact with Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight world champion. The milestone season is set in 1914, as the approach of the First World War begins to loom over the British empire.
Johnson is one of the historical figures featured this season, alongside a women’s rights activist. The season’s storylines touch on immigration, racism and women’s rights. That context suggests the boxer’s story will carry more weight than a simple guest turn.
Yannick Bisson, Helene Joy, Jonny Harris, Thomas Craig, Lachlan Murdoch and Daniel Maslany are among the cast listed for the episode. Elsewhere this season, Inspector Choi deals with the aftermath of his shooting from the previous season.
The run began with ‘The Maltese Falconer,’ in which Murdoch questions the seemingly open and shut case against an author awaiting execution in Malta. With the detective moving from that overseas mystery to a confrontation with a heavyweight champion who is also a suspect, readers are welcome to share in the comments how they expect a detective who trusts forensics to fare against Jack Johnson.
