The Murder Line: Full release schedule for Minnie Driver's 'ruthless' ITV crime thriller
One star has even compared it to Ozark and Fargo
The Murder Line, a “dark and twisted” new crime thriller starring Minnie Driver, has started airing on ITV – and here’s what you need to know about it.
The first few months of 2026 have been busy on ITV. People are still begging for After the Flood series 3, we had a drama about Fergie’s killer ex-dresser Jane Andrews, and the twists and turns of Grace series 6.
However, the channel has even more to offer. Secret Service is coming next week, and ITV has also bagged another drama from across the pond.
So, if you’re curious about The Murder Line and want to know more about who’s in the cast and what it’s about, read on.
What is The Murder Line about?
The Murder Line isn’t set in Britain: it takes place in the Thousand Islands, an archipelago in Canada.
The series follows Henry Roland, a local police officer who finds evidence linking a case of missing illegal substances to his childhood best friend, Tommy Hawley. However, they share a dark secret.
According to ITV, Henry “ventures beyond the line of duty to save a childhood friend, only to have everything unravel”.
“When his plan backfires, his carefully constructed life begins to collapse, thrusting him into a dangerous collision course with backstabbing criminals, suspicious colleagues, and vulnerable civilians who need him more than ever,” it adds.
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This includes May Ferguson, the matriarch of a “ruthless” British crime family who – surprise, surprise – wants the drugs, too.
Does it have a release date?
The Murder Line premiered on ITV on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The whole series is available to stream on ITVX now, but it’s airing on ITV1 every night until its finale on Wednesday, April 22 (well, Thursday, technically… but we’ll get to that).
How many episodes are there?
There are six episodes in The Murder Line.
As noted above, you can stream the entire series on ITVX now, so don’t feel the need to wait for them all to be shown on telly.
The Murder Line release schedule and times
While The Murder Line is airing every night, it’s not always on ITV1 at the same time. So, make sure you know when to tune in if you want to watch it as it airs on TV:
- Episode 1: Saturday, April 18 at 10pm
- Episode 2: Saturday, April 18 at 11:10pm
- Episode 3: Sunday, April 19 at 10:15pm
- Episode 4: Monday, April 20 at 11pm
- Episode 5: Tuesday, April 21 at 11:15 pm
- Episode 6: Thursday, April 23 at 12am
Who’s in The Murder Line cast?
Stephen Amell, who you may recognise from his time playing Green Arrow in DC TV shows, stars in The Murder Line as Henry.
Amell also starred in Suits LA, the ill-fated revival of the legal procedural that was cancelled after one season.
Speaking to The Star, the actor compared the story to Netflix’s Ozark. “As this story gets deeper and more twisted, Henry becomes more and more exposed and laid bare,” he said.
“And that was really fun for me. Also, it’s such a crazy story that it reminds me of Ozark or the first season of ‘Fargo,’ where these crimes are so out there that you have to imbue a sense of humour into the proceedings. Otherwise, the entire thing is just too dark.”
Hamza Haq also plays Tommy. The actor previously starred in Transplant.
Minnie Driver gets to play the show’s big bad, May. The actress has no shortage of beloved projects, whether it’s Good Will Hunting, Grosse Point Blank, or Tarzan.
Elsewhere in the cast, Corrie star Thomas Craig (who played Tommy Harris across nearly 130 episodes) makes an appearance.
Full cast and characters in The Murder Line
- Tamara Podemski (Outer Range) as Erica Ross
- Katia Edith Wood (8-Bit Christmas) as Ruby
- Thomas Craig (Coronation Street) as Gaz
- Kate Corbett (Fargo) as Liv
- Anna Douglas (Mrs America) as Julie Roland
- Jeremy Watson (SurrealEstate) as Miles
- Christopher Heyerdahl (Under the Banner of Heaven) as Charlie Penner
- Christian Lloyd (The Handmaid’s Tale) as Chaz
- Natalie Liconti (Star Trek: Discovery) as Bo
- Ashton Cressman (When Hope Calls) as Adam
- Jorja Cadence (Sex/Life) as Stacey
- Gage Arbuthnot (Murdoch Mysteries) as Young Henry
- Jason Weinberg (Molly’s Game) as Walt
- Qasim Khan (Riftwood Chronicles) as Silas
- Dylan Taylor (Station Eleven) as Wade
The Murder Line comes from creator Graeme Stewart, who worked on Burden of Truth and The Detail.
How to watch The Murder Line
The Murder Line is exclusively available on ITV1 and via ITVX in the UK.
It already aired in Canada – but under a different name: The Borderline.
Read more: The 15 best ITVX dramas to watch in April 2026
