The iconic Law & Order franchise plants its flag in Canada when “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” premieres on The CW on September 24, 2025. This new installment follows the revered format, focusing on the elite detectives of the Major Crimes Unit who investigate high-profile and psychologically complex cases in metro Toronto. The series delves into the minds of criminals and the forensic procedures used to catch them, all while exploring the unique landscape of crime and corruption within Canada’s largest and most diverse city.

Leading the investigation is a powerhouse cast of Canadian acting talent, headed by Aden Young and Kathleen Munroe as the lead detective sergeants. They are supported by K.C. Collins as the Deputy Crown Attorney and Karen Robinson as their commanding officer. With its distinct Toronto setting and a focus on the criminal “intent” behind the acts, this series promises to deliver the gripping, cerebral drama that fans love, while offering a fresh new perspective north of the border.

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent Official cast details

1- Aden Young as Detective Sergeant Henry Graff

Aden Young, internationally acclaimed for his lead role in Rectify, takes on the role of Detective Sergeant Henry Graff. Young is a master of conveying deep intensity and quiet intellect, making him perfectly suited to play a detective who specializes in getting inside the heads of criminals. His character, Graff, is likely the veteran investigator—driven, intuitive, and perhaps haunted by the darker aspects of human nature he encounters daily. He embodies the “intent” part of the title, relentlessly pursuing the “why” behind the crime.

Young’s performance will be the psychological anchor of the series. He will portray a man whose dedication to his job is both his greatest strength and his personal burden. His approach is probably methodical and sometimes unorthodox, clashing with procedure but yielding results. His partnership with Frankie Bateman will be the core dynamic, a meeting of two brilliant but potentially very different investigative minds.

2- Kathleen Munroe as Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman

Kathleen Munroe, known for her work in Billy the Kid and Patriot, stars as Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman. Munroe brings a sharp intelligence and formidable presence to the role, making Frankie a perfect match for Graff. Her character is likely highly educated, exceptionally detail-oriented, and a master of forensic science and modern investigative techniques. She represents the new school of policing, balancing Graff’s older, more instinctual methods.

Munroe’s Bateman is the logical counterpoint to Graff’s intensity. Her strength lies in her ability to dissect evidence and build an airtight, prosecutable case from the ground up. Their partnership will be built on mutual respect and a shared obsession with justice, even as their different styles create compelling friction. She is a capable and compelling lead who can hold her own in the high-stakes world of major crimes.

3- K.C. Collins as Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester

K.C. Collins (The Porter, Saving Hope) joins the cast as Deputy Crown Attorney Theo Forrester. In the Law & Order structure, the prosecutor is a crucial role, bridging the work of the detectives with the courtroom. Collins will bring a commanding and articulate presence to the screen, portraying Forrester as the legal mind who takes the detectives’ evidence and constructs the narrative to put the guilty behind bars.

Collins’s role involves intense scenes where he advises the detectives on legal strategy, decides what charges to lay, and prepares for trial. His character ensures that the actions of the Major Crimes Unit lead to lawful convictions, often pushing them to find more evidence or clarify their theories to meet the strict burdens of the Canadian justice system. He is the crucial link between investigation and prosecution.

4- Karen Robinson as Inspector Vivienne Holness

The beloved Karen Robinson (Schitt’s Creek, Star Trek: Discovery) steps into the role of Inspector Vivienne Holness, the unit’s commanding officer. Robinson is renowned for her ability to blend authority with warmth and wit. As Inspector Holness, she is the voice of reason and bureaucracy, tasked with managing her brilliant but often headstrong detectives, ensuring they follow procedure while still supporting their unorthodox methods when they get results.

Robinson’s character provides the political and administrative context for the investigations. She answers to her own superiors and must balance the demands of the job with the realities of budget, public perception, and departmental politics. Her scenes will offer a higher-level view of the cases and provide a mentoring, sometimes exasperated, perspective on the work of Graff and Bateman.

The Investigative Team: Detectives and Experts

The squad room is filled with a talented ensemble that brings the Major Crimes Unit to life:

• Araya Mengesha plays Mark Yohannes, likely another detective or an analyst providing key support on cases.

• Nicola Correia-Damude appears as Dr. Lucy Da Silva, the medical examiner whose forensic findings provide the scientific foundation for every investigation.

• Tammy Isbell is Detective Alice Riley, a seasoned investigator on the team.

• Daniel Kash portrays Detective Andy Manek, bringing his veteran character acting skills to the role of a fellow detective.

• Zoe Doyle and Maika Harper are Detectives Dana Brier and Shina May, newer members of the elite squad who contribute their own skills to each case.

• Christie Stewart plays Melody Chellas, a role that could be a criminalist, a psychologist, or a key recurring witness/victim.

• Lindsay Owen Pierre rounds out the cast as a Homicide Detective, adding depth to the roster of law enforcement professionals.