A con woman turned police consultant solves crimes with a disgraced cop in this fun Canadian comedy/crime series set in Vancouver.The bottom line: Can he trust her? Will she get her theme song?
Max Mitchell, an astute young woman, is a thief and a grifter who gets arrested in a bank on her latest "job". Cole Ellis is a gruff demoted police detective forced to work in the maritime unit. They meet at the police station and, later, she phones him while in custody to predict the next move of an elusive criminal nicknamed "The Infinity Thief". Pressured by the mayor, who wants results, the commissioner assigns them on the investigation. Much to the irritation of Chief Li, the detectives' boss, and the other colleagues of Ellis.
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Wild Cards was created by Canadian scriptwriter and producer Michael Konyves (Law & Order: Organized Crime, Bad Blood, Barney's Version). It was commissioned by Canadian pubcaster CBC and U.S. network The CW joined as a co-producer. 10 x 60-minute episodes were aired in Canada and the United States between January and March 2023. The crime solving duo of Wild Cards is played by Vanessa Morgan (Riverdale) as Max and Giacomo Gianniotti as Cole. This Italian-Canadian actor is known for his role in Grey's Anatomy from 2015 to 2021 but he was also the title character in the films Diabolik – Ginko all'attaco! (2022) and Diabolik chi sei? (2023), based on the cult Italian comic book series created by Angela and Luciana Giussani (1).
Cole Ellis was a robbery-homicide detective who paid his tenacity when cocaine was planted in his car. Some thought he was set up and his hierarchy knocked him down to water cop. His brother, murdered in an apparent mugging, left him a boat where Cole now lives and a cat called Marc (a Devon Rex). Max Mitchell resides in lavish mansions with her loyal and enigmatic butler Ricky. George Graham, her con artist father, is in prison but helps his daughter through his connections. Jason Priestley (Private Eyes, Call Me Fitz, Beverly Hills, 90210) plays George.
Following their first case, the commissioner arranges a rehabilitation programme for Max Mitchell and Cole Ellis. Max will use her "particular skill set" as a consultant to avoid prison and Cole will have the possibility to be a full-time detective again. However, Chief Li send them to do a community outreach about package thieves. After an old lady tells them that there's a "ghost" in her neighbour's appartment, the unlikely partners discover the dead body of a sports agent. Wild Cards has been rightfully compared to White Collar (2009-2014) and Psych (2006-2014), two series from the golden era of USA Network, or to Castle (ABC, 2009-2016).
The charm of Wild Cards lies in its sparkling duo, the dialogues (Max's pop culture references) and good plots punctuated by amusing situations. Vanessa Morgan is fabulous as Max and the series is a showcase of Giacomo Gianniotti's versatile talent after his two Diabolik movies. The rest of the regular cast is excellent: Terry Chen (Chief Li), Michael Xavier (Detective Simmons), Amy Goodmurphy (Detective Yates), Fletcher Donovan (Ricky), Karin Konoval (Commissioner Russo), etc. Produced by Blink49 Studios and Front Street Pictures with Piller/Segan (Private Eyes) in association with The CW.
Marcus Robinson and Robert Petrowicz are the co-executive producers. Exec produced by James Genn, Alexandra Zarowny, James Thorpe, Morwyn Brebner, Noelle Carbone, Michael Konyves, Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan. Co-produced by Sabrina Sherif and Shawn Mendel. Produced by Charles Cooper and Virginia Rankin. Music composed by Shawn Pierce and David Genn. Cinematography by Eric Cayla, CSC (Episodes 1 and 2) and Lindsay George (Episode 1). Editing by Stein Myhrstad (Episode 1), Allan Lee (Episode 2).
Guest starring Fulvio Cecere, Zach Smadu, Meghan Heffern, Giacomo Baessato, etc. (Episode 1) and Robert Moloney, BJ Harrison, Nicole Muñoz, Aliya Boulanger, Ash Lee... (Episode 2). Marc is played by Jonesy the cat. An episode of Wild Cards will be presented on Sunday, April 7 at the Canneseries festival, followed by a conversation with Vanessa Morgan, Giacomo Gianniotti and Jason Priestley. The event will be moderated by French journalist and TV series specialist Romain Nigita. Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Blink49 Studios and globally by Fifth Season (a CJ ENM company).
Episode 1 written by Michael Konyves and directed by James Genn. Episode 2 written by Morwyn Brebner and helmed by James Genn.
(1) Luca Marinelli played the title role in Diabolik (2021), the first film of the great trilogy directed by Marco and Antonio Manetti (aka Manetti Bros.).
https://deadline.com/2024/02/the-cw-eyes-wild-cards-renewal-season-2-1235827824/
