Murder in a Small Town Returns for Season 3 on Fox with Peter Gallagher Joining the Cast
Fox Renewed for Season 3 of ‘Murder in a Small Town’
Fox has officially renewed its mystery drama, Murder in a Small Town, for a third season, which will consist of 10 new episodes. The upcoming installment will see returning stars Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk joined by Peter Gallagher, recognized for his roles in The O.C. and Grace and Frankie, as a series regular. Filming for the new season is already in progress.
While the drama has maintained a low profile since concluding its second season in early December, its renewal was anticipated. Murder in a Small Town has proven to be a solid performer for Fox, standing out in terms of viewership and cost-effectiveness for the network.
In fact, Season 2 recorded an 11% increase in its 7-day multiplatform viewership compared to Season 1, achieving series highs in both multiplatform and streaming metrics, particularly on Hulu. The show even marked a rare increase in linear viewership year-over-year.
Produced by Sepia Films in association with Fox Entertainment and Future Shack Entertainment, the Canadian-made series operates under a low-cost production model, aligning with Fox’s international content strategy.
Based on the nine-book series by L.R. Wright, Murder in a Small Town follows the story of Karl Alberg, portrayed by Sutherland, who relocates to a tranquil coastal town to recover from the stresses of his former big-city police work. There, he forms a relationship with the local librarian, Cassandra, played by Kreuk.
In this season, Gallagher will portray Rod Finlayson, a charismatic but unpredictable character whose arrival at the Gibsons’ marina disrupts the lives of Alberg and Cassandra.
Gallagher’s casting is part of Fox’s strategy to attract viewers by introducing a well-known actor each season alongside fresh storylines. This approach has previously been utilized effectively in other Fox dramas, including Murder in a Small Town, which featured Marcia Gay Harden in Season 2.
Brooke Bowman, Executive Vice President of Drama Programming and Development at Fox Television Network, expressed enthusiasm for the renewal, stating, “We love bringing this cozy and delightful mystery to Fox fans, and we’re thrilled Murder in a Small Town has continued to resonate with our audience. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Sepia Films and Future Shack on Season 3, alongside our exceptional cast led by Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk and soon to include the incomparable talent of Peter Gallagher as their newest adversary.”
The series is executive produced by Ian Weir, Amanda Tapping, Morris Ruskin, Sharon Wisnia (Mojo Global Arts), Tina Pehme, Kim Roberts (Sepia Films), and Jeff Wachtel, Jared Berenholz (Future Shack). Initially conceived as a direct adaptation of the book series, the television show has increasingly leaned on original storylines while incorporating characters from the novels.
On Fox’s 2026-27 schedule, Murder in a Small Town joins recently renewed dramas Doc, Best Medicine, and Memory of a Killer, as well as the returning comedy Animal Control and the network’s animated programming.
Gallagher’s extensive credits include notable films like American Beauty and Short Cuts, for which he received a SAG Award and a Golden Globe Award, respectively. His television work encompasses a diverse range of shows, including Grace and Frankie, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Grey’s Anatomy, and Law & Order: SVU. He is represented by Gersh.
