'Murdoch Mysteries' returning to Alibi

UKTV has commissioned crime thriller Murdoch Mysteries for a third season on Alibi.

Shaftesbury Films is currently producing the 13-episode series in Canada and the UK, with UKTV co-funding it in collaboration with ITV Global Entertainment. The programme will premiere on the crime drama channel in February 2010.

UKTV's Christian Drobnyk revealed that series two of the show "nearly doubled Alibi's slot average ratings, outperforming every other crime drama series in peak".

He continued: "Innovative funding deals like this make a lot of sense for UKTV right now - they provide fresh, quality content that compliments popular BBC titles and our own home-grown commissions - so it's no surprise that we're on the lookout to do more."

ITV director of co-productions and acquisitions Emmanuelle Namiech added: "Murdoch Mysteries is a superb example of how international co-production funding can bring to life a universally popular show, with incredibly strong local appeal.

"We're delighted to be working with Shaftesbury and Alibi on another great instalment of a very unique and popular series."

Set in 1890s Toronto, Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch and Coronation Street's Thomas Craig as Inspector Brackenreid. The third season will also feature a guest appearance by Lisa Faulkner.

Alibi's Steve Hornsey said: "We're particularly excited that some of the latest series is being filmed in Bristol as Murdoch becomes embroiled in a complex plot spanning two continents, a British spin which is sure to appeal to Alibi viewers even more."