Copyright Rex Shutterstock 2016;37428708;2832;4256;1465913923;Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:18:43 GMT;0
BURBANK, CA — The CW is doubling down on its partnership with Jason Priestley. Following the success of Wild Cards, the network announced on Monday, April 27, 2026, that it has officially picked up Private Eyes West Coast, a high-stakes spinoff of the beloved Canadian procedural Private Eyes.
The 10-episode first season will see Priestley and Cindy Sampson reprising their iconic roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett. The series is slated to anchor The CW’s Fall 2026 schedule in the United States, while airing on Global in Canada.
A Fresh Start in Victoria
After five seasons of navigating the streets of Toronto, Shade and Angie have traded the “416” for the scenic ruggedness of Victoria, British Columbia. The series begins with the duo attempting to settle into a “quieter life,” but their retirement from the P.I. world is cut short almost immediately.
- The Catalyst: A night out lands them at the scene of a gruesome murder where a woman is found holding a bloody steak knife over her dead boyfriend. Believing in her innocence, the pair is pulled back into the world of high-stakes investigation.
- New Challenges: Without their established Toronto network of sources and police contacts, Shade and Angie must build a new community from scratch while juggling the logistical hurdles of opening a firm in a new city.
- West Coast Vibe: The production has shifted to locales like Victoria and Tofino, promising cases that range from tracking missing students in the B.C. wilderness to extracting confessions from surfers on the coast.
The “Wild Cards” Connection
The move to pick up the spinoff is a strategic one for The CW Network President Brad Schwartz, who has been steering the network toward character-driven “crimedy” procedurals.
- Familiar Faces: Priestley has become a staple of the “new” CW, currently starring in Wild Cards—the network’s most-watched scripted series of the year.
- The Production Team: The show comes from Lionsgate Canada and the Piller/Segan team (Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan), the same creative force behind Wild Cards.
- Creative Control: In addition to starring, Priestley will serve as an executive producer and is confirmed to direct at least two episodes of the first season.
”We are thrilled to welcome Private Eyes West Coast to our fall lineup,” said Brad Schwartz. “Jason and Cindy have an undeniable chemistry that fans have missed, and the Piller/Segan team has a proven track record of creating shows that are packed with humor and action.”
Building a Global Franchise
The original Private Eyes ran from 2016 to 2021 and was a massive international success, selling to over 180 markets. By commissioning a spinoff with the original leads, Corus Entertainment and Lionsgate are banking on built-in global nostalgia while injecting “fresh, West Coast energy” into the franchise.
With The Boys ending next month and many streamers moving toward darker “prestige” dramas, The CW is positioning Private Eyes West Coast as the “light, breezy, and comfortable” alternative for fans of classic detective banter.
About the Author
Discover more from Geek Digest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
