Motive

A team of Vancouver investigators, led by homicide detective Angie Flynn, sets out to uncover the motive of each puzzling murder by discovering the killer's connection to the victim. Viewers get a glimpse of the killer before and after the crime is committed.

Motive (2013-2016) is a Canadian crime drama created by Daniel Cerone and aired on CTV. Homicide detective Angie Flynn (Kristin Lehman) leads a Vancouver investigative team alongside detectives Oscar Vega (Louis Ferreira) and Brian Lucas (Brendan Penny), with forensic psychologist Dr. Betty Rogers (Lauren Holly) helping read the minds behind the crimes. Each case is built around a puzzling murder, and the team's engine is the search for the motive, which they trace by discovering how the killer was connected to the victim. The show unusually gives viewers a glimpse of the killer before and after the crime, so the question shifts from who did it to why and how the investigators will close in. Across four seasons of thirteen episodes each, the structure is a mix of standalone cases and personal threads for the detectives. The tone is tense and methodical, with a rain-soaked West Coast atmosphere and a steady, character-driven pace. Fans of The Killing, Broadchurch and Columbo will find resonance in its blend of investigation, psychological insight and the humanity of the victims' lives. Its police procedural core makes it a satisfying watch for anyone who likes mysteries that reward close attention.

Audience reception is positive, with the series praised as a solid Canadian police procedural that grows stronger across its four seasons.

• Cold Squadprocedural crime investigation with a case-of-the-week structure and Canadian police setting
• The Killingpolice procedural tone with a female detective lead and serialized murder investigations
• Columbowhodunit structure built on killer-perspective reveals and investigative mystery
• Broadchurchcrime investigation with a detective-driven mystery and a strong sense of victim backstory

Created by

Daniel Cerone

Release Date

2013-02-03

Episode runtime

44 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (91)

What is Motive about?

A Vancouver homicide team led by Detective Angie Flynn works each murder backward from its motive to the killer.

What is Motive like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Motive as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Motive violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Motive as moderate.

What did critics think of Motive?

Audience reception is positive, with the series praised as a solid Canadian police procedural that grows stronger across its four seasons.

Which shows are like Motive?

Shows with a similar feel include Cold Squad, The Killing, Columbo, and Broadchurch.

How long is Motive?

Motive: 4 seasons, 52 episodes.

Is Motive still running?

No, Motive has ended.

Where can I watch Motive?

In United States, Motive is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.