Frankie Drake Mysteries: Sleuthing with Style in the Roaring Twenties

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

I was incredibly excited to watch the Frankie Drake Mysteries when the show first aired. It had an air of Murdoch Mysteries about it, just set a little further into the future.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of 1920s Toronto, the show follows the groundbreaking adventures of the city’s first female private detective agency.

The series, which aired from November 2017 to March 2021 on CBC Television in Canada, delivered four seasons of compelling mysteries and period charm.

Incidentally, those of you in the United States can catch it on PBS Masterpiece, and UK viewers can find it on Sky/Now TV.

What is it all about, and how realistic is it? Are there books? Why was it cancelled?

So many questions so I’ve donned my own amateur sleuth cap and gone in search of the answers for you…

Here Come The Girls

Frankie Drake, portrayed by Lauren Lee Smith, leads Toronto’s first female detective agency with a mix of sophistication and grit.

A former spy during the war with a complex past, Frankie excels at adapting to any situation and going undercover when cases demand it.

Trudy Clarke, played by Chantel Riley, brings multiple talents to Drake Private Detectives.

As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she initially helped support her family while caring for four younger brothers.

Her exceptional singing voice and performance abilities make her invaluable for undercover work.

Though her mother may not fully approve of her career choice, Trudy’s practical nature and sharp intellect make her an ideal detective partner.

Mary Shaw, (Rebecca Liddiard), shows significant character growth throughout the series.

Initially introduced as a somewhat naive morality officer, she evolves considerably from her black-and-white worldview in season 1.

By season 4, she faces challenges that her earlier self couldn’t have handled, demonstrating remarkable personal development.

Last but not least is Flo Chakowitz, brought to life by Sharron Matthews, who serves as the team’s connection to the city morgue.

A war widow pursuing medical school at night, Flo maintains an unusually enthusiastic attitude toward her work with the deceased.

Her detailed knowledge of pathology reports and access to crucial information about recent deaths proves invaluable to the agency’s investigations.

The four women form a uniquely capable investigative unit, each bringing distinct skills and perspectives to their cases.

Their collaborative approach allows them to tackle cases that the traditional police force either cannot or will not handle.

The series emphasizes their individual growth while maintaining focus on their collective strength as an all-female detective agency operating in 1920s Toronto.

What Is The Show About?

The show centers on Frankie Drake, portrayed by Lauren Lee Smith, who runs Drake Private Detectives alongside her partner Trudy Clarke.

Together, they tackle cases that the police either can’t solve or won’t handle. Their investigations range from stolen artifacts and murders to bank heists and international intrigue.

The show cleverly wove real historical figures into its narratives. Notable episodes featured Agatha Christie helping Frankie investigate a friend’s disappearance, while fashion icon Coco Chanel became embroiled in an assassination plot.

Civil rights activist Marcus Garvey appeared in a compelling storyline involving stolen donations from a black girls’ orphanage.

The cases ranged from sophisticated to suspenseful. The team investigated everything from contaminated water supplies to underground cabarets.

Some episodes delved into the world of bootlegging and speakeasies, while others tackled more serious matters like political intrigue and international diplomacy.

A particularly tense episode involved the hunt for a kidnapped prince, where the team had to work discreetly to prevent an international incident.

Overall, the show had a great mix of crimes that needed to be solved and always required a touch of flair from one of the four leading ladies.

The Final Episode

Called A Family Affair, the series finale of Frankie Drake Mysteries delivered several dramatic storylines that unfortunately left viewers with unresolved cliffhangers.

The main plot involved the return of Ned Drake, Frankie’s father.

Her life is turned upside down when her brother Jack arrives with news that he is alive and that he actually faked his death years ago.

The reunion was short-lived when he was ultimately killed at the hands of Desmond, a member of a secret society called the Brothers of the Crooked Dagger.

Also, in the episode, Mary risked her police career by exposing corruption in the Toronto Police Department, and Flo gained custody of her niece after confronting her sister about her drinking problem.

Trudy left Drake Private Detectives to work at an insurance company, which led to a dangerous situation and a cliffhanger ending involving a gunshot.

With no idea that Frankie Drake Mysteries would be cancelled, the episode ended with multiple unresolved plotlines, leaving us viewers without closure on several major story arcs, particularly Trudy’s fate after the final gunshot.

It was such a shame because it really was a great show that managed to combine plenty of style, mystery and 1920s fun.

Why Was It Cancelled?

The cancellation of Frankie Drake Mysteries in early 2021 came about for several reasons.

The official reason is that CBC made the decision as part of an initiative to diversify its programming lineup.

Frankie Drake Mysteries reportedly experienced declining viewership, with CBC shows hitting record low numbers during this period.

It was noted that while the series started strong, it didn’t maintain the same level of success as other CBC shows like Murdoch Mysteries.

The cancellation came as a surprise to many, including the cast and production team, especially as there were multiple unresolved cliffhangers in the final season.

Obviously, the decision sparked significant viewer disappointment, not least because it was one of the few historical cozy mystery series to be led by women – who also tend to be the genre’s biggest audience!

Fans petitioned CBC to reconsider the decision and while a special musical episode titled Frankie Drake Mysteries: Music at Midnight served as a final celebration of the series, it was not renewed.

Ironically, the show’s final episode aired on March 8, 2021, aligning with International Women’s Day!

Is It Based On A Series of Books?

No, Frankie Drake Mysteries is not based on a series of books.

The show was actually inspired by a book called Toronto Girl Problems, which was published after World War I.

Show creators Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci discovered this book while doing research for Murdoch Mysteries. The book documented how women were reluctant to return to domestic life after experiencing careers and independence during the war.

The series is entirely fictional, though it occasionally features historical figures like Ernest Hemingway in its episodes.

The creators used the post-WWI women’s movement and changing social dynamics of 1920s Toronto as inspiration to create the character of Frankie Drake and her all-female detective agency.

If You Miss Frankie Drake…

I get it, it’s tough when one of your favorite shows is given the boot and more so when you’re left on a major cliffhanger.

So, if you miss Frankie and the ladies of Toronto, I have two suggestions for alternative shows you can watch.

The first is Miss Scarlet and the Duke, a British-American period crime drama set in Victorian London in 1882.

The series follows Eliza Scarlet, portrayed by Kate Phillips, who takes over her father’s detective agency after his unexpected death leaves her nearly penniless.

Rather than accepting marriage as her only option for financial security, Eliza breaks Victorian conventions by becoming London’s first female detective.

She’s scrappy and feisty, demonstrating resilience and strength while navigating a world where odds are stacked against her.

On the other side of the ocean is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, also set in the 1920s, but this time in Melbourne, Australia.

Phryne Fisher, portrayed by Essie Davis, is a glamorous private detective who returns to Melbourne in 1928.

She’s a complex character who grew up poor but inherited wealth and title after her extended family’s deaths in World War I.

Despite her privileged position, she uses her influence to champion the downtrodden and fight injustice with cases that explore various aspects of 1920s Australian society.