Watch Coroner

Coroner is an intense drama series aired by CBC in 2019, exploring the complexity of life and death. The show is based on the bestselling book series by M.R. Hall, and centers around Jenny Cooper, a recently widowed Toronto coroner who returns to the field after taking a break. The show unravels the dark complexities of death with its array of cases ranging from suicides, drug overdoses, murders, and accidents.

The lead character Jenny Cooper, portrayed by Serinda Swan, is an intelligent and complex character who is still struggling to find her footing after the death of her husband. Jenny's character brings a sense of realism to the show, portraying the struggles of a single mother dealing with her own mental health issues while balancing a challenging career. Her character development takes a deeper dive throughout the show, as she struggles to come to terms with her own personal demons.

The show takes the audience through the process of a coroner's job, which is not limited to just the physical examination of the dead. The storyline explores how being a coroner involves investigating everything that led to the person's death. This means understanding the person's mental state, their relationships, their past, and even how current societal issues play into their deaths. Roger Cross, who plays Detective Donovan McAvoy in the show, offers a complementary role alongside Jenny. McAvoy acts as Jenny's partner on numerous cases, providing investigative support, and acting as a grounding force in Jenny's life.

The show tackles tough societal issues such as drug abuse and the opioid crisis, among others. The writers of the show do an excellent job of sensitively handling these issues, avoiding any unnecessary glorification, and instead, raising awareness while providing a platform for dialogue. Airing on CBC, the show also tackles pertinent issues such as police brutality and traces how societal structures prevent marginalized communities from attaining justice, emphasizing the importance of reform.

The show's success can be attributed to its excellent cast who bring the complex characters to life. Swan's portrayal of Jenny Cooper is both heartfelt and gripping, complementing the show’s great writing. Cross brings a sense of calm to the chaos, offering a counter-personality to the emotionally-fragile protagonist. The supporting cast is also great, providing the needed drama to push the storyline forward.

The show provides a unique perspective about life and the process of departing it, making it a must-watch for anyone and everyone. The show takes a much deeper approach than other procedurals by humanizing the victims; it brings out problems like social injustice and highlights the importance of reforming a broken societal structure. The show provides an insight into the aftermath of death and how different coping mechanisms play out. The show is not limitative, it poses difficult questions, and it provokes discussions among its viewers. By doing so, it acts as a breath of fresh air in the saturation of similar procedurals.

In summary, Coroner is a must-watch show, essential for anyone who prefers storylines beyond the typical police procedural. The writing, acting, and directing combine to create a riveting and thought-provoking show that explores the complexities of human experience, societal problems, and personal trauma. The show creates a sense of urgency around important social matters, without feeling preachy or unrealistic. Most importantly, it provides an avenue for discussion and creates a deeper connection with its audience.

Coroner is a series that ran for 4 seasons (46 episodes) between January 7, 2019 and on CBC