Houdini & Doyle is a British television drama series loosely based on the real-world friendship of Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A 10-episode first season was ordered by Fox in the United States, ITV in the United Kingdom, and Global in Canada.[2][3] The pilot episode was written by co-creators David Hoselton and David Titcher.[3] The first episode was broadcast simultaneously on ITV and ITV Encore on Sunday 13 March 2016.[4][5]

Houdini & Doyle
Genre
Created by
Starring
ComposerJames Jandrisch
Country of origin
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAdrian Sturges
Production locationsThe Space Project, Manchester, England
CinematographyPhilipp Blaubach
Stephen Reizes
EditorsJohn Smith
D. Gillian Truster
Paul G. Day
Stephen Philipson
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseMarch 13 (2016-03-13) –
July 4, 2016 (2016-07-04)

On August 3, 2016, Fox cancelled the series after one season.[6]

Premise

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Harry Houdini is a cynical skeptic and atheist whereas Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is a believer in the paranormal and supernatural. The drama opens in 1901 London, shortly after the publication of Doyle's The Great Boer War. Houdini and Doyle become involved in the investigation of several mysterious deaths. They debate over whether the causes are natural or supernatural, and often bet on the cause, which causes their police liaison, Constable Adelaide Stratton, some embarrassment.

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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Production

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The series was a treaty co-production between Big Talk Productions in the UK, and Shaftesbury Films in Canada, in association with Sony Pictures Television in the US, where executive producer David Shore's Shore Z Productions is based.[12] It was filmed in two stages at The Space Project in Manchester with Liverpool Town Hall and Water Street being used for some of the exterior filming.[13][14]

Broadcast

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The series premiered on ITV and ITV Encore in the United Kingdom on the 13 March 2016.[15] It premiered on the 2 May 2016, on Global in Canada and Fox in the United States.[16][17] The series aired on RTÉ in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on the 18 May 2016 [18] The series aired on Tokyo MX in Tokyo, Japan on the 9 July 2019 [19]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal
air date (UK)
Canada &
U.S. air date
US viewers
(millions)
1"The Maggie's Redress"Stephen HopkinsStory by : David Hoselton & David Titcher
Teleplay by : David Hoselton
13 March 2016 (2016-03-13)May 2, 20162.62[20]
Adelaide Stratton, Scotland Yard's first female constable, investigates the death of a murdered nun at a convent. Houdini and Doyle join the case as consultants when a witness claims the nun was murdered by the ghost of a young unwed mother who died at the convent six months ago.
2"A Dish of Adharma"Stephen HopkinsDavid Hoselton17 March 2016 (2016-03-17)May 9, 20162.36[21]
A 12-year old boy shoots well-known suffragette Lydia Belworth (Laura Fraser), but not fatally. Houdini and Doyle get involved when the boy claims he is the reincarnation of a man whom he says Belworth murdered.
3"In Manus Dei"Daniel O'HaraMelissa R. Byer & Treena Hancock24 March 2016 (2016-03-24)May 16, 20162.42[22]
Houdini, Doyle and Adelaide investigate a faith healer when a heckler drops dead at one of the healer's public sessions. The healer appears to have the power he claims when he pays a visit to Doyle's wife who soon awakes from her coma, while doubter Houdini is overcome with boils and a debilitating illness.
4"Spring-Heel'd Jack"Daniel O'HaraCarl Binder31 March 2016 (2016-03-31)May 23, 20162.62[23]
The death of a motorcar entrepreneur is initially attributed to a mysterious dark demon, the legend of which goes back several decades. When a second murder is attributed to the same demon, Houdini and Doyle try to determine if the legend may be true.
5"The Curse of Korzha"Ed BazalgetteJoshua Brandon7 April 2016 (2016-04-07)May 30, 20162.02[24]
Madame Korzha (Emily Hampshire), a travelling medium, uses her powers to help the local police find a missing girl. While Doyle believes some people have psychic powers, Houdini remains skeptical, especially when Korzha is unable to locate another missing girl. Doyle is also taken aback when Korzha predicts Adelaide's demise.
6"The Monsters of Nethermoor"Ed BazalgetteNazrin Choudhury14 April 2016 (2016-04-14)June 6, 20162.50[25]
When a young man wakes up naked in a burned out circle claiming that his wife was kidnapped by aliens, Houdini becomes the believer and Doyle the skeptic.
7"Bedlam"Robert LiebermanDavid Titcher21 April 2016 (2016-04-21)June 13, 20161.66[26]
When people start to seemingly become scared to death, the gang sets out to find the source and are led to Bethlem Hospital, where Doyle has a mysterious connection.
8"Strigoi"Robert LiebermanCarl Binder28 April 2016 (2016-04-28)June 20, 20161.79[27]
When the housemaid of Doyle's old friend Bram Stoker is murdered with a stake through the heart, suspicions arise that Stoker may either be the killer...or a vampire.
9"Necromanteion"Jeff RenfroeMelissa R. Byer and Treena Hancock5 May 2016 (2016-05-05)June 27, 20161.75[28]
While Houdini visits New York to bury his mother, Doyle and Adelaide investigate a murderous poltergeist in Canada, encountering Thomas Edison (played by Peter Outerbridge) with his newest invention, the Necrophone, a device for communicating with the dead.
10"The Pall of LaPier"Jeff RenfroeDavid Hoselton12 May 2016 (2016-05-12)July 4, 20161.69[29]
The trio investigate a small town where almost everyone died simultaneously with no visible cause. However Adelaide is distracted by the revelation that her husband faked his death, while Houdini continues to see his mother's ghost, and fears he is going mad.

Reception

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Ratings

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Episode U.S. ratings Canadian ratings United Kingdom ratings[30]
Original air date Live Rank
(18–49)
Live+7 Original air date Live+7 Rank
(viewers)
Original air date Live+7 Live+28 Rank
(viewers)
Viewers
(millions)
Rating/share
(18–49)
Night Week Viewers
(millions)
Rating/share
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
Night Week Viewers Viewers Night Week
"The Maggie's Redress" 2 May 2016 (2016-05-02) 2.62[20] 0.7/2[31] 2[31] TBA TBA TBA 2 May 2016 (2016-05-02) TBA TBA TBA 13 March 2016 (2016-03-13) 93,000[a] 130,000[a] 1 1
"A Dish of Adharma" 9 May 2016 (2016-05-09) 2.36[21] 0.6/2[21] 2[21] TBA TBA TBA 9 May 2016 (2016-05-09) TBA TBA TBA 17 March 2016 (2016-03-17) 93,000 145,000 1 1
"In Manus Dei" 16 May 2016 (2016-05-16) 2.42[22] 0.7/2[22] 2[22] TBA TBA TBA 16 May 2016 (2016-05-16) TBA TBA TBA 24 March 2016 (2016-03-24) 102,000 130,000 1 1
"Spring-Heel'd Jack" 23 May 2016 (2016-05-23) 2.62[23] 0.6/2[23] 3[23] TBA TBA TBA 23 May 2016 (2016-05-23) TBA TBA TBA 31 March 2016 (2016-03-31) 81,000 124,000 1 1[b]
"The Curse of Korzha" 30 May 2016 (2016-05-30) 2.02[24] 0.5/1[24] 2[24] TBA TBA TBA 30 May 2016 (2016-05-30) TBA TBA TBA 7 April 2016 (2016-04-07) 99,000[c] 155,000[c] 1 1
"The Monsters of Neithermoor" 6 June 2016 (2016-06-06) 2.50[25] 0.6/2[25] 2[25] TBA TBA TBA 6 June 2016 (2016-06-06) TBA TBA TBA 14 April 2016 (2016-04-14) 113,000[d] 139,000[d] 1 1
"Bedlam" 13 June 2016 (2016-06-13) 1.66[26] 0.4/1[26] 3[26] TBA TBA TBA 13 June 2016 (2016-06-13) TBA TBA TBA 21 April 2016 (2016-04-21) 96,000[e] 122,000[e] 1 1
"Strigoi" 20 June 2016 (2016-06-20) 1.79[27] 0.4/2[27] 2[27] TBA TBA TBA 20 June 2016 (2016-06-20) TBA TBA TBA 28 April 2016 (2016-04-28) 98,000 123,000 1 1
"Necromanteion" 27 June 2016 (2016-06-27) 1.75[28] 0.4/1[28] 3[28] TBA TBA TBA 27 June 2016 (2016-06-27) TBA TBA TBA 5 May 2016 (2016-05-05) 81,000 101,000 1 1
"The Pall of LaPier" 4 July 2016 (2016-07-04) 1.69[29] 0.4/2[29] 2[29] TBA TBA TBA 4 July 2016 (2016-07-04) TBA TBA TBA 12 May 2016 (2016-05-12) 69,000[f] 93,000[f] 1 1
  1. ^ a b Plus 18,000 on +1
  2. ^ Ranked #2 for the week in Live+7.
  3. ^ a b Plus 10,000 on +1
  4. ^ a b Plus 9,000 on +1
  5. ^ a b Plus 7,000 on +1
  6. ^ a b Plus 7,000 on +1

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Houdini and Doyle". The Futon Critic. United States: Futon Media. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. ^ "ITV commissions supernatural crime drama Houdini & Doyle for ITV Encore". Press Centre. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  3. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (19 March 2015). "'Houdini and Doyle' Series Picked Up By Fox, ITV & Shaw Media". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Houdini & Doyle - S1 - Episode 1: The Maggie's Redress". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b c The Guardian Staff (13 March 2016). "Sunday's best TV: Indian Summers, Houdini & Doyle, The Night Manager". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  6. ^ Porter, Rick (3 August 2016). "'Houdini & Doyle' and 'Donny!' canceled after one season each". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Houdini and Doyle". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Houdini & Doyle: Interviews". Life of Wylie. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Mary Conan Doyle in Houdini & Doyle". Emily Carey. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  10. ^ "Noah Jupe". Movies Trail. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Houdini & Doyle". Sony Pictures Television. Culver City, California: Sony Pictures Entertainment. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Fox's 'Houdini and Doyle' Not Returning for Season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  13. ^ Hartley, Sarah (24 June 2015). "Houdini & Doyle heads to the Space Project". Prolific North. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  14. ^ Wright, Jade (25 August 2015). "Filming sees stars leap off buildings for Houdini and Doyle". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  15. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (2 March 2016). "Exclusive: Houdini & Doyle series premiere will be simulcast on both ITV and ITV Encore". Digital Spy. San Francisco: Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  16. ^ Jeffery, Netta (18 March 2016). "Mystery solved! Houdini & Doyle comes to Global May 2". Global Television Network. Toronto: Corus Entertainment. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  17. ^ Cabin, Chris (24 June 2015). "HOUDINI AND DOYLE Will Debut in 2016 on Fox; HOUSE Creator Producing". Collider. New York City: Complex Media. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Houdini and Doyle - Season 1, Episode 1 Wednesday 18 May 2016 - RTÉ Player". RTÉ.ie. 24 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Houdini and Doyle - TOKYO MX". 9 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Audiences US: démarrage catastrophique pour Houdini & Doyle". AlloCiné (in French). Paris: FIMALAC. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (10 May 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Blindspot' and 'Reign' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  22. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (17 May 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Mike & Molly' finale and 'The Voice' adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 18 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  23. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (24 May 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'The Bachelorette' premiere, all others hold". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  24. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (1 June 2016). "Monday final ratings: Stanley Cup Finals and 'Memorial Day' adjust up". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  25. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (7 June 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Mistresses' adjusts down, plus final NHL numbers". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 8 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (14 June 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'So You Think You Can Dance' adjusts up, 'Reign' and 'Whose Line' ajdust down, final NBA numbers". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  27. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (21 June 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Bachelorette' adjusts up, 'Spartan' and 'Mistresses' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  28. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (28 June 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Bachelorette' adjusts up". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  29. ^ a b c d Porter, Rick (6 July 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular' and 'Mistresses' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  30. ^ "Weekly top 10 programmes on TV sets (July 1998 – Sept 2018)". BARB. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  31. ^ a b Porter, Rick (4 May 2016). "Monday final ratings: 'NCIS: LA' finale and all others hold". TV by the Numbers. Chicago: Tribune Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
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