A second batch of the revamped Murdoch Mysteries Victorian-era crime series has been ordered by Citytv.

In the first season with Yannick Bisson in the lead role, the series increased its audience by 70% over the last season, which starred Peter Outerbridge, according to BBM ratings.

‘It is hugely gratifying to reach such a large audience for Citytv,’ says Christina Jennings, chairman/CEO of Toronto-based Shaftesbury Films, which produces the one-hour show based on Maureen Jennings’ critically acclaimed Detective Murdoch Mystery novels.

Shaftesbury also announced yesterday that it will produce the third installment in an ongoing series of movie specials based on the Booky novels by Bernice Thurman Hunter. Slated to air on CBC next February, the two-hour Booky’s Crush will retain Megan Follows in the starring role as a Toronto mother in the 1930s.