Private Eyes West Coast available on one streaming service before revival

The CW is gearing up to bring back the popular Canadian crime show Private Eyes, but here’s the catch – you can only stream the original series on one platform. It may seem a bit strange, right? These days, everyone is talking about reboot and sequel TV shows, but it’s not every day that you see a sequel to a series that just ended five years ago. The CW has snagged the U.S. broadcast rights to Private Eyes West Coast, which is a follow-up to the 2016-2021 Canadian crime drama Private Eyes. The first season has already aired in Canada, and fans of the original series are excited to see where the story goes next.

For those who might not be familiar with Private Eyes, let’s do a quick recap. The show follows former pro hockey player Matt Shade, played by Jason Priestley, who is forced to retire early due to injuries. He’s a divorced father to his visually impaired daughter Jules, and he transitions into the world of sports agenting. When a client overdoses on drugs, Matt’s investigative instincts kick in, and he crosses paths with tough private eye Angie Everett, played by Cindy Sampson. Despite their differences, the two team up to crack cases that range from cheating spouses to murder mysteries. The show is a mix of crime-solving, humor, and heartfelt moments, which kept viewers coming back for five seasons until the finale in 2021.

Now, Priestley and Sampson are back in action as Matt and Angie in the West Coast version of the series. Set in Vancouver, the new series promises to bring fresh mysteries while exploring the evolving dynamics between the two characters. The show has already been greenlit for a second season, which is set to premiere on Canadian TV later this year.

Given the anticipation surrounding the sequel, you’d think that the original series would be readily available for binge-watching. While Private Eyes did air on the ION channel in the U.S., Hallmark+ is currently the sole platform offering the show for streaming. Hallmark+ may seem like an unexpected choice, but it’s home to several other popular Canadian shows, such as The Spencer Sisters and When Calls the Heart franchise. It’s possible that Hallmark+ simply made a better offer for Private Eyes compared to other streaming services, considering the complex rights issues involved in licensing TV shows.

As we eagerly await the arrival of the new Private Eyes West Coast on the CW, now might be the perfect time to catch up on the original series before the revival hits the small screen. Who knows, Hallmark+ might just become your go-to platform for underrated crime dramas!