Pretty Hard Cases
Pretty Hard Cases is a Canadian police procedural crime comedy-drama television series created by Tassie Cameron and Sherry White that premiered on CBC Television on 3 February 2021 and ran for three seasons until its cancellation in 2023.[1][2] The series centers on the partnership between two Toronto Police Service detectives in their early forties: Samantha "Sam" Wazowski, portrayed by Meredith MacNeill as a disciplined, by-the-book guns and gangs specialist, and Kelly Duff, played by Adrienne C. Moore as a street-smart, unorthodox narcotics investigator, who initially clash but develop a strong professional bond while tackling organized crime cases.[3][4] Blending high-stakes action sequences with sharp humor and personal drama, Pretty Hard Cases explores the protagonists' professional triumphs and private challenges, including family dynamics, romantic entanglements, and the demands of law enforcement careers, presenting an aspirational view of dedicated officers navigating complex urban threats.[5][3] The production, influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement during development, incorporated heightened sensitivity to issues of police conduct and systemic accountability, shifting from a purely lighthearted buddy-cop premise toward deeper social reflections without compromising its core entertainment value.[6] Critically well-received for its genre fusion, authentic character portrayals, and comedic timing, the series garnered a 100% critic approval rating for its first season on Rotten Tomatoes and achieved notable recognition, including wins at the Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards and three victories alongside 32 nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards.[7][8][9] It also secured U.S. distribution via IMDb TV and Amazon platforms, extending its reach beyond Canada.[10]Series Overview
Premise and Format
Pretty Hard Cases centers on Detectives Samantha "Sam" Wazowski and Kelly Duff, mid-career officers in the Toronto Police Service who operate in specialized units—Wazowski in Guns and Gangs, adhering to strict protocols, and Duff in Narcotics, relying on instinct and undercover experience.[11] Their partnership emerges from overlapping investigations into violent crime networks, exploring how their divergent approaches—Wazowski's methodical precision versus Duff's adaptive risk-taking—generate conflict and effectiveness in disrupting gun trafficking and drug operations.[10] The narrative underscores the dual lives of these women in their early 40s, juxtaposing high-stakes police work against personal struggles like family responsibilities and workplace biases.[12] The series adopts a hybrid procedural structure, combining episodic case resolutions with serialized character arcs across three seasons totaling 24 episodes.[13] Each installment, averaging 42-44 minutes excluding commercials, follows a template of initial crime scenes, suspect pursuits, evidentiary builds, and climactic confrontations, interspersed with comedic dialogue and interpersonal drama to humanize the protagonists.[14] This format draws from police drama conventions but infuses levity through the leads' banter and situational ironies, while grounding depictions in Toronto's urban context without romanticizing law enforcement outcomes.[15] Broadcast weekly on CBC Television starting February 3, 2021, the show maintains a consistent rhythm of action-oriented sequences balanced by reflective moments on procedural ethics and officer resilience.[11]Main Characters and Casting
Detective Samantha "Sam" Wazowski is a Guns and Gangs unit specialist characterized by her rigid adherence to protocol, pencil-pushing precision, and no-nonsense demeanor, often navigating personal challenges as a single mother while prioritizing procedural integrity in investigations.[16][14] In contrast, Detective Kelly Duff operates in the Drug Squad with a tough, unapologetic style rooted in street smarts and instinctual decision-making, frequently bending rules to achieve results amid high-stakes narcotics cases.[4][3] The series' narrative revolves around their partnership, which bridges their early-40s contrasting personalities—Sam's uptight formality against Kelly's rough-edged pragmatism—to tackle interconnected crimes in Toronto.[11][15]| Character | Actor | Role Details |
|---|---|---|
| Samantha "Sam" Wazowski | Meredith MacNeill | Guns and Gangs detective; by-the-book investigator with comedic timing from prior roles in Baroness von Sketch Show.[16][17] |
| Kelly Duff | Adrienne C. Moore | Narcotics detective; streetwise operative experienced in dramatic portrayals like Orange Is the New Black.[4][17] |
| Taai Nazeer | Al Mukadam | Supportive detective embodying a modern, Toronto-native policing perspective.[18][17] |
Themes and Narrative Style
The series centers on themes of interpersonal partnership and contrasting professional philosophies within law enforcement, as embodied by the protagonists' divergent approaches: Detective Sam Wazowski's adherence to protocol and optimism clashes with Detective Kelly Duff's pragmatic, experience-driven tactics honed in narcotics investigations.[14][20] This dynamic underscores the value of complementary skills in tackling organized crime, including gun trafficking and drug operations in Toronto, while exploring the interpersonal growth required for effective collaboration.[11] The narrative also delves into personal redemption and familial obligations, portraying characters confronting past traumas and protective instincts amid high-stakes cases.[21] Influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement during its development in 2020, the show adopts an aspirational lens on policing, emphasizing ethical decision-making, community accountability, and avoidance of systemic abuses, which led to script revisions for greater sensitivity in depicting police conduct.[6][3] Themes of racial and gender dynamics emerge through the interracial female leads' friendship, highlighting mutual respect and shared vulnerabilities in a male-dominated field without overt didacticism.[22] Narratively, Pretty Hard Cases employs a dramedy structure blending episodic case resolutions—typically involving procedural investigations into violent crimes—with serialized character arcs focused on relational banter and emotional depth, distinguishing it from traditional police procedurals through infused humor and improvisational dialogue.[23][24] The style evokes buddy-cop tropes but prioritizes witty, character-driven comedy over unrelenting grit, incorporating physical action sequences, romantic subplots, and light-hearted rivalries to balance tension with levity, as seen in the leads' on-set improvisations that enhance authentic interpersonal clashes.[14][25] This hybrid approach yields a tone that is candid about the psychological demands of detective work while maintaining an upbeat, resilient portrayal of its officers.[26]Episodes
Series Overview
Pretty Hard Cases consists of three seasons totaling 26 episodes, broadcast weekly on CBC Television. Season 1 comprises 10 episodes and premiered on February 3, 2021, introducing the core partnership between Guns and Gangs detective Samantha Wazowski and Narcotics detective Kelly Duff as they tackle interconnected cases involving firearms trafficking and drug operations.[27] [28] Season 2 features 8 episodes, airing from December 2021 into early 2022, with storylines expanding on personal challenges and undercover operations amid escalating threats from criminal networks like the Coyotes gang.[29] Season 3, also 8 episodes, began on January 4, 2023, and concluded the series, focusing on high-stakes investigations including undercover bridesmaid assignments and pursuits of elusive suspects, marking the detectives' final joint endeavors.[12] [30] Each season maintains a procedural format, with episodes typically resolving individual cases while advancing overarching narratives on corruption, mental health in policing, and interpersonal dynamics.[11]Season 1 (2021)
The first season of Pretty Hard Cases consists of 10 episodes and aired weekly on CBC Television from February 3, 2021, to April 7, 2021.[31] It introduces the core partnership between Guns and Gangs Unit detective Sam Wazowski, played by Meredith MacNeill, and Drug Squad detective Kelly Duff, played by Adrienne C. Moore, who are assigned to collaborate on a high-stakes investigation into the Stockwood Gang's operations involving firearms trafficking and narcotics distribution in Toronto.[32] The narrative blends procedural elements with personal stakes, as the detectives navigate contrasting investigative styles—Wazowski's methodical rule-following versus Duff's improvisational risk-taking—while confronting operational hazards like undercover assignments and hostage scenarios.[32] Throughout the season, the investigation escalates from initial joint case coordination to targeting key figures within the gang, including arrests and pursuits that test the protagonists' professional rapport and personal lives.[32] Wazowski grapples with her teenage son Elliot's involvement in risky behaviors linked to gang peripheries, while Duff contends with interpersonal tensions in her romantic relationship and ethical quandaries arising from the case.[32] The storyline culminates in a finale focused on rescues and apprehensions, solidifying the detectives' evolving friendship amid ongoing threats from criminal elements.[32] Critics praised the season for its hybrid of cop procedural, comedy, and character-driven drama, earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews.[7]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Bananas | February 3, 2021[31] | ||
| 2 | 2 | Dealz | February 10, 2021[31] | ||
| 3 | 3 | Nuts | February 17, 2021[31] | ||
| 4 | 4 | Feathers | February 24, 2021[31] | ||
| 5 | 5 | Kids | March 3, 2021[31] | ||
| 6 | 6 | Guns | March 10, 2021[31] | ||
| 7 | 7 | Ritz | March 17, 2021[31] | ||
| 8 | 8 | Flowers | March 24, 2021[31] | ||
| 9 | 9 | Gliders | March 31, 2021[31] | ||
| 10 | 10 | Jellybeans | April 7, 2021[31] |
Season 2 (2022)
Season 2 of Pretty Hard Cases premiered on CBC Television on January 5, 2022, and ran weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET until its finale on April 13, 2022, consisting of 12 episodes.[31] The season shifts focus to investigations involving advanced criminal tactics, such as 3D-printed firearms used in attacks on police and the proliferation of synthetic drugs like pink cocaine, while continuing to emphasize guns-and-gangs unit operations over routine homicides.[33] Detectives Samantha Wazowski and Kelly Duff encounter heightened personal stakes, including strained partnerships with former colleagues and risks to their careers amid suspicions of internal corruption.[29] The narrative incorporates undercover operations, such as infiltrating drug routes disguised as flight attendants and posing as low-level criminals, highlighting tactical improvisation in Toronto's organized crime landscape.[34] A mid-season hiatus occurred after episode 4, with production resuming in February amid ongoing COVID-19 protocols affecting filming schedules.[31] IMDb TV served as a co-producer for this season, facilitating a delayed U.S. streaming release starting April 22, 2022, which featured episodes out of sequence relative to the Canadian broadcast.[35]Episode list
| Ep. | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pencil Skirts | January 5, 2022[31] |
| 2 | Plastic Teeth | January 12, 2022[31] |
| 3 | Dirty Laundry | January 19, 2022[31] |
| 4 | Dog Treats | January 26, 2022[31] |
| 5 | Rubber Lining | February 23, 2022[31] |
| 6 | Life Jacket | March 2, 2022[31] |
| 7 | Pigeon Party | March 9, 2022[31] |
| 8 | Bug Spray | March 16, 2022[31] |
| 9 | Crystal Ball | March 23, 2022[31] |
| 10 | Worm Drive | March 30, 2022[31] |
| 11 | Chipped Nails | April 6, 2022[31] |
| 12 | Ribbon Cutting | April 13, 2022[31] |
Season 3 (2023)
Season 3 of Pretty Hard Cases consists of 10 episodes and premiered on CBC Television and CBC Gem on January 4, 2023, airing weekly on Wednesdays until the finale on March 8, 2023.[30] The season reunites Detectives Sam Wazowski and Kelly Duff as partners in the Guns and Gangs unit following an eight-month separation, shifting their focus to high-risk operations against organized crime, including the distribution of a dangerous synthetic drug referred to as "purple rain."[30] Alongside the central gang takedown, the narrative incorporates parallel investigations into drug thefts, gun violence amid urban gentrification, and undercover stings, while delving into interpersonal tensions, health struggles, and ethical dilemmas within the Toronto Police Service.[30] The episodes feature recurring elements such as collaborations with detectives Naz and Nathan, risky undercover roles ranging from bridesmaids to nudist colony infiltrations, and escalating threats from gang affiliates.[30] Production emphasized Toronto locations to maintain authenticity in depicting police procedural work.[38]| No. in season | Title | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Always a Bridesmaid | January 4, 2023 | Sam and Kelly reunite after eight months, going undercover as bridesmaids to secure a murder confession.[30] |
| 2 | Ten Thousand Steps | January 11, 2023 | Sam and Kelly investigate a ketamine theft at an animal sanctuary; Naz and Nathan target a dealer of a dangerous new synthetic drug.[30] |
| 3 | Red Velvet Durag | January 18, 2023 | Sam and Kelly probe a surge in gun violence linked to gentrification, leading them to a Caribana mas camp.[30] |
| 4 | Bare Naked Ladies | January 25, 2023 | Kelly works with Nathan on the purple rain case; Sam goes undercover at a nudist colony with Naz's girlfriend.[30] |
| 5 | Fish Called David | February 1, 2023 | Sam poses as a koi fish aficionado in an undercover operation; Kelly develops a key connection within the gang.[30] |
| 6 | Spin Me Round | February 8, 2023 | The team stages a purple rain takedown at a roller-skating rink; Kelly encounters a police altercation en route.[30] |
| 7 | Hot Pepper Jelly | February 15, 2023 | Kelly searches for the purple rain chemist in Guelph; Sam, delayed by health issues, arrives to find her in an explosive situation.[30] |
| 8 | Badge Bitch Party | February 22, 2023 | After a compromised purple rain operation, Sam and Kelly revisit the case's origins to resolve it.[30] |
| 9 | Right Hand Red | March 1, 2023 | Sam and Kelly set up a fake informant operation for purple rain, which is disrupted when Naz becomes a murder suspect.[30] |
| 10 | Creatures of Habit | March 8, 2023 | The team efforts to exonerate Naz and halt purple rain distribution; Kelly and Nathan go undercover while Sam contacts an old associate.[30] |