Behind the Scenes: ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ films 300th episode in Kingston

The first week of October saw a bustle of activity in downtown Kingston, as Murdoch Mysteries filmed scenes for their 300th episode in the Limestone City.

Props and equipment began arriving in and around Springer Market Square on Monday, Sept. 30, and the filming wrapped on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.

*This article was originally published on Kingstonist on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, and may contain spoilers — or near spoilers — for the plot of the 300th episode, which will air sometime in early 2025.*

As a huge Murdoch Mysteries (MM) fan, I took it upon myself to visit the set a few times. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, the production set up a special effect along Market Street, and while I missed the “explosion,” I was able to catch some filming of the main characters, William Murdoch — played by Yannick Bisson — and his wife Julia Ogen — the beautiful Helene Joy — affected by what must have been a bombing.

In between takes, I was lucky enough to meet Bisson and get a handshake and a photo. And then I may have helped a few others (City hall employees who were stepping outside occasionally to check out the action) get a photo, as well — So much so that Bisson asked me if I was some sort of photo coordinator!

Kingstonist shared my photo on social media, and styled me their Chief ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ Correspondent, so that’s going on my next business card!

A fangirl/reporter’s dream! Yannick Bisson was kind enough to pose for a photo while filming on Market Street. Photo by another lovely MM fan.

While watching the action, I also met the sister of the episode’s director. She was able to share a few notes about the filming, but she was not a habitual viewer of the show. 

According to my research, Eleanore Lindo has directed 13 episodes of MM up until the end of season 17. She has also directed episodes of Hudson & Rex, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Heartland, and Road to Avonlea, among others. Visit her website to learn more about Lindo, and her current and past projects.

Arwen Humphreys on set in Kingston. Photo by Jessica Foley.

Besides Murdoch and Julia on set the first day, I also caught a few glimpses of Arwen Humphreys, keeping it on the down-low in her jeans, ball cap and sunglasses. Humphreys plays Margaret Brackenreid, the wife to Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, who, until this season, ran Stationhouse 4 — the police station Murdoch worked out of.

According to Shaftsbury, Humphreys was shadowing the director during the Kingston filming, and not portraying Mrs. Brackenreid in the local scenes. The production company confirmed that Murdoch and Julia were the only two main characters filming scenes for the 300th episode.

But supporting those two main actors was a complement of about 300 people, Shaftssbury shared in an email. And it sure felt like it on set! But, everything was extremely laid back, and the security was there more for everyone’s personal safety (to avoid tripping over hazards, etc.) than to “protect the scene,” so to speak. I was able to stand literally across the street from some of the filming, and the lovely people on set made sure to tell us where the next setup would be so we didn’t get our view blocked.

There were very few spectators the first day — at least while I was on set. I didn’t go back to the Market Square setup on Thursday, but I did try to see what was happening at the Emily Street filming that afternoon.

As I wasn’t able to get away from work too early, I only caught a little of the street filming near Richardson Beach. Both Murdoch and Julia were there, as well as Susanna. Julia was in a different ensemble, so one might assume this scene is a different day from the scene shot in Market Square.

A lot of extras looked to be walking along the street, as well as two horse buggies and some old cars. The set up here kept the riffraff (or should I say fans?) much further back. And shortly after I arrived, the crews moved into the backyard of the beautiful historic house, which meant there was no more opportunity to observe the action.

While I was there I spoke with a few other gawkers — oops! I mean fans! — about what was going on and how neat it is to watch them film a big show in our humble town. I even met two people from Ottawa who had hoped to catch some of the action. Sadly, they missed the out-front filming, but I was able to show them my photos, and some of the ones I took yesterday.

I wasn’t able to get to the last day of filming on Friday — they were only working until early afternoon — but my coworker, reporter Michelle Dorey Forestell, was able to catch some of the action around St. George’s Cathedral with her daughter. While my remote job is very flexible, it’s not easy to write articles while standing in the street holding a camera!

Michelle spoke with Arwen Humphreys for a quick interview, and was kind enough to share the details with me. Humphreys confirmed she was not filming scenes, but was being inspired by director Eleanore Lindo.

“I’m shadowing the director,” Humphreys told Michelle, who also asked if directing an episode of Murdoch Mysteries was a future plan.

“I’ve been in this industry for 30 years… but for now, I’m just learning. This has been an amazing education and Eleanor is probably one of the best in the industry. So watching her direct and create scenes and tell the story has been really fascinating,” Humphreys expressed.

Humphreys also shared that she has been coming to Kingston since she was a kid.

“I mean not regularly, but I’ve been coming for a long time and I know it’s a gorgeous city,” she expressed, noting that the stone masonry always catches her eye.

“I’ll tell you something that I love about it is how there’s still so much history within the city, like I always love looking at… all of the still original foundation work and the walls… I really feel like Kingston’s done a great job of keeping the history within it.”

I’m so glad Michelle and her daughter were able to see some of the production, and seeing their photos makes me regret not sneaking out to see it myself for the third time.

The local scenes for the 300th episode take place in London in 1912. I don’t know why the Murdochs are there, but I do know they picked some pretty nice backdrops to film these scenes!

According to those at Shaftsbury, this episode will air in the second half of the current season, which will be early 2025. And I am personally hoping when they return to film here in Kingston, I’ll be better in the know so I can try to be an extra/background actor, and report on actually working

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