Why are there so many murders happening in this small town?
Though that’s one question that could plague the fictional city of Gibsons in the murder-mystery series Murder in a Small Town, stars Kristin Kreuk (who plays Cassandra Lee) and Rossif Sutherland (Karl Alberg) said it’s not the central focus of their “thrilling” new show.
“I'm a detective in this show,” Rossif exclusively told E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi Sept. 5, “but it's still a mystery to me.”
And Kristin emphasized that the murders in the series—which premiered Sept. 24—are secondary to the importance of the characters’ stories.
“There is a murder almost every episode,” she said. “Those crimes are solved, but it's really a story about love and community and this town. The murders drive our plot and keep you engaged, and they're thrilling. But it is about those relationships.”
As for whether the town even notices the surprising amount of murders in their small Pacific northwest community? Kristin said mum's the word.
“We don't even talk about it,” she explained. “It's like the British shows that take place in small towns and they have so many murders. We're living in that world where it's like a fantasy land. It just happens, and it's not because of some intense, systemic issue…or is it?”
But Rossif—who is the son of Donald Sutherland and brother to Kiefer Sutherland—knows that his on-screen portrayal is not a mystery to his son Theodore, whom he shares with wife Celina Sinden.
“I don't think he thinks I'm particularly believable being a detective,” Rossif continued. “I don't have a uniform. My gun is hidden underneath my jacket, I just look like a normal guy. He somehow manages to get the truth out of people by just making people forget that he is a cop. So, he's been a fascinating guy to play because he's not trying to intimidate the truth out of people.”
Watch new episodes of Murder in a Small Town Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. E.T. on Fox. And while you wait for the latest episodes to air, check out more shows that hit TV screens this year…
Virgin River (Netflix) - Dec. 19
This sixth season promises fresh twists and turns, escalating love triangles, delightful wedding drama, as well as uncovered secrets from Mel’s father’s past which will transport us to the magic and mystique of Virgin River in the 1970s.
Laid (Peacock) - Dec. 19
In the new series, a woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward. Laid is a f--ked up rom-com where the answer to “why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding “Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.”
Ilana Glazer: Human Magic (Hulu) - Dec. 20
The Broad City alum tackles everything from motherhood to being a stoner in her new stand-up special.
Josh Groban & Friends Go Home for the Holidays (CBS) - Dec. 20
Hosted and executive produced by Josh Groban, the special features a new format combining compelling stories, music, comedy and a live adoption on stage, celebrating the creation of a new family. Musical performances include holiday classics, new releases and original duets with Groban and his guests, including James Bay, Jennifer Hudson, Tori Kelly and The War And Treaty.
2024 Back That Year Up with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson (Peacock) - Dec. 23
2024 Back That Year Up With Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson returns for a third annual special highlighting the biggest moments of the year. The comedic duo will close out the year with their unfiltered humor as they recap the past year of pop culture, sports, social media and politics. The special will feature guest appearances from the year’s most talked about celebrities, including Nate Bargatze, Mookie Betts, Kenny G, Blake Griffin, Jon Hamm, Jonquel Jones, Seth Meyers, mgk and Rashida ‘Sheedz’ Olayiwola.
The Flipping El Moussas (HGTV) - Dec. 26
Real estate power couple Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa will continue to grow their working relationship while juggling the addition of a rambunctious toddler to their busy family life in the newest season of their follow-doc series.
The season will kick off in Hawthorne, California, where Tarek and Heather Rae tackle their most extreme flip project to date.
Squid Game 2 (Netfix) - Dec. 26
Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the states and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.