If you’ve spent any time at all watching the sharp, finger-snapping Detective William Murdoch solve crimes with turn-of-the-century "gadgetry," you know the face. It’s a mix of Victorian stoicism and boyish curiosity. But exactly who plays Murdoch in Murdoch Mysteries?
The man behind the bicycle and the bowler hat is Yannick Bisson.
He isn't just a guy playing a role. Honestly, at this point, he is the show. Bisson has been portraying the Catholic detective since the series first premiered on Citytv back in 2008. Since then, the show moved to CBC and became a global juggernaut, airing in over 110 countries. But Bisson’s journey to becoming the face of Canada's most famous detective wasn't exactly a straight line.
Why Yannick Bisson Almost Quit Acting
It’s wild to think about now, but before he landed the role of William Murdoch, Yannick Bisson was ready to walk away from Hollywood North entirely.
By his mid-30s, he was a father of three. The acting world is fickle, and the "ups and downs" were wearing him down. He actually started a side hustle as a builder. He was flipping houses, doing his own tiling, and framing walls. He once mentioned in an interview with the Toronto Star that he was prepared to cut his losses and become a professional contractor because he needed to be responsible for his family.
Imagine that. No Murdoch. Just a very talented guy in Ontario building kitchens.
Fortunately, the pilot for Murdoch Mysteries (based on the novels by Maureen Jennings) came across his desk. He’d already done some heavy lifting in shows like Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and Soul Food, but this was different. He beat out plenty of other actors to secure the part, and the rest is history.
The "Other" Murdoch You Might Not Know About
Here is a bit of trivia that usually trips people up: Yannick Bisson wasn't actually the first person to play the character.
Before the TV series we all know and love, there were three made-for-TV movies: Except the Dying, Poor Tom Is Cold, and Under the Dragon's Tail. In those specific films, Peter Outerbridge played Detective Murdoch.
When the series was greenlit for a full season, the producers decided to go in a different direction. They wanted someone who felt a bit more like a "leading man" for a long-running procedural. They found Bisson. While Outerbridge was great, Bisson brought a specific kind of warmth and "science-nerd" energy to the role that has kept fans watching for nearly 20 seasons.
More Than Just an Actor
If you look closely at the credits of any recent episode, you'll see Bisson's name pop up more than once. He isn't just the star; he’s an executive producer and a frequent director.
He made his directorial debut in Season 4 with an episode called "Buffalo Shuffle." Since then, he’s stepped behind the camera dozens of times. He’s also known for being incredibly hands-on with the show's evolution.
A Quick Snapshot of Yannick Bisson’s Life
- Born: May 16, 1969, in Montreal, Quebec.
- Family: Married to Shantelle Bisson (who is an author and producer). They’ve been together since high school.
- Daughters: Brianna, Dominique, and Mikaela. Interestingly, all three of his daughters have had cameos or roles on Murdoch Mysteries over the years.
- Hobbies: He is a massive "car guy" and an avid mountain biker.
Why the Role Still Works in 2026
We are currently in the middle of 2026, and Murdoch Mysteries is still a staple of the CBC lineup. Season 19 kicked off in late 2025, and fans are still just as obsessed with the "Murdoch-isms" as they were a decade ago.
Bisson has managed to age with the character. In the early seasons, Murdoch was a bit more rigid, almost robotic in his devotion to logic. Now, as a father and a seasoned investigator, he feels more human. Bisson has often said that the character is like his "best self"—the version of him that is patient and always seeks the truth.
The show has survived network changes, the departure of major characters, and nearly two decades of shifting TV trends. A huge part of that is Bisson's consistency. He shows up, he wears the three-piece suit in the humid Toronto summers, and he delivers.
What to Watch If You Love Yannick Bisson
If you've already binged every episode of Murdoch Mysteries and need more Bisson in your life, you have options.
He played Martin Bartell in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries on Hallmark, though he eventually left that series because the filming schedule conflicted too much with Murdoch's 20-episode-per-year grind. You can also catch him in the 80s classic Hockey Night or his voice work in The Adventures of Napkin Man.
But let’s be real. He’ll always be the detective with the pneumatic tubes and the early forensic kits to us.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Murdoch, the best next step is to check out the Murdoch Mysteries in Concert series or listen to the official podcast hosted by Jason Mewes and Matt Goehring, which provides a ton of behind-the-scenes context on how Yannick Bisson brings the character to life every week.
Actionable Insight: To see Yannick Bisson’s range beyond acting, watch the Season 19 episode "Toronto's Smartest Man"—it’s a great example of his comedic timing and his work as a producer helping to keep the show's format fresh after 300+ episodes.