User reviews

If you had said last season that this show was a little cheesy, I would have agreed. I mean, Jake is right out of the 70's in so many ways. He hasn't really grown up but the show has grown up around him this season in my opinion. The characters are deeper, the plots more complex and interesting, and a lot of the lame situations have been benched in favour of better material.

Do Newfoundlanders really talk like that? And what's with the brightly coloured houses? Where can I get a GTO like that? Little glimpses of maritime Canada I suppose.

If you're looking for realism and big-budget effects, you won't find satisfaction here. But this show is good fun and a reliable source of entertainment. Good work!

Just watched the very last episode in the final season and the series gathered momentum from the beginning to the end. I got very attached to the characters and will miss them which showed that the characters were well developed. The stories were good as well. Sexual tension between the pairs was irritating along the way but in the end that was satisfying. The stand out acting came from Jake and Des although the whole cast was very good and convincing in their roles. Des provided much of the humour. The island setting was beautiful and colourful. The very last episode and even the few before that were riveting and the series ended on a very good note.

I've never visited the province of Newfoundland and Labrador but I consider the entire population to be my friends. I've always been intrigued by the populace due to their unique accent/dialect, their music, their food such as fish and brewis and their booze. I've watched a lot of NTV and have learned a great deal about their province. These are hardy, tough and determined people living on a rock where Canada's worst weather occurs. They love to fight. The idea of an action comedy-drama show set there is a brilliant idea.

Allan Hawco, the star, co-creator, executive producer, head writer and showrunner of Republic Of Doyle, plays Jake Doyle, a PI in St John's, NFLD&L. Doyle is a fearless man who isn't afraid to die in the line of fire for justice. He is aided by his father Malachy (Sean McGinley) and his step-mother Rose (Lynda Boyd), who usually go online to dig up dirt on his targets. He also has Des Courtney (Mark O'Brien), a stammering youth who helps/hinders him. There's also Katrina Doyle (Marthe Bernard), a cute-as-a-button, Janet Wood-type who works for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

Unlike Magnum P.I., RoD is more like typical T.V. as an entire season of story lines occur throughout its run. It's a deft mix of drama, comedy and action in the streets of the capital city. It's unique to see crime fighting take place in a smaller city like St. John's than in, say, New York, L.A. or Toronto.

If you're obsessed with Newfoundland like I am, this show is a must- watch. Even if you're not, it's much better than 85% of T.V. today and it's just only hitting its prime. It's a fun romp every time I watch. I also have to commend Mr. Hawco on his taste in women as he hires knockouts on his show. Only in RoD could some beautiful lady in a mini-dress be the mastermind behind a mad bomber.

Newfoundland and Labrador is taking over, people.

As a native Newfoundlander, my opinions on this show have to be coloured by that rather important fact, but I have tried to divorce my feelings for my home from my review of the program.

As is plainly written on the Republic of Doyle web site, this show is cut from the same mould as The Rockford Files and Magnum PI. It's mostly a comedy with just enough mystery plot to hold the whole thing together. If you are expecting CSI on the East Coast, you will be disappointed. However, if you are looking for interesting characters that are true Newfoundlanders, with all the irreverence, dry wit and lust for life that the term implies, then this show will definitely entertain you.

Shot in and around St. John's, Nfld, on admittedly the largest number of nice weather days I've seen in a row, Republic takes full advantage of the visual variety of both the city and the surroundings. Dramatic shots of steep hills and brightly coloured houses backdropped by the harbour make even unlikely car chases appear really dramatic. I've driven those streets. Car chases on those hilly, narrow and winding streets is a fast way to a trip to the hospital. Still, they look like a lot of fun, and that's the point of it all, so it works a treat.

The strength of the series, though, is the characters and their interactions. For a brand new series, the recurring characters have a sense of solidity and reality that usually takes several seasons to achieve. The humour is appropriate to the place and people. As a Newfoundlander, I "get" the humour; I can only hope that others find it just as amusing. The other thing that reads very true is the dialogue. Having listened to a great many people butcher both the accent and the common terms of speech, it is refreshing to find dialogue that really could be heard on the streets of the city on any given day.

All-in-all, this is an hour of your life that you will be glad you spent in Newfoundland. If you can't get "Republic of Doyle" where you live, check out the CBC web site where you can watch the episodes online.

We absolutely love it! We've only just seen the first episode, and can't wait to see the next.

Looks like very well done production, set in picturesque Newfoundland, with a humorous and engaging story. With appearances from some recognizable cast, Newfie wit, and good old fashioned chase scenes, it looks like it could be on the way to be the next Canadian produced hit.

We loved that the area the scenes were shot were clearly recognizable, to anyone who has visited the capital city. This, combined with the characters and situations that viewers will likely find some familiarity with (if not them, someone they know) makes this a very watchable start to to a new series.

Well Done!

I came to this show late, after friends praised it to me.

I'm so sorry I didn't start watching it from the beginning.

The thing with me was that it was a CBC television production. Although I love CBC radio, the majority of CBC TV shows have been ... well ... weak. There have been a few exceptions, of course, but that hasn't been the way to bet.

This show is one of those exceptions. It's light, humorous, well written, and most of all, entertaining. It's just flat out entertaining. The plots are fun and interesting and there are just enough twists to keep us guessing, and to offer a surprise every once in a while.

The actors do a great job and are all very likable. I think that may be one of the main reasons that the show does well. I heard that they scored 1.2 million viewers on the last episode. That's an impressive number.

I'm not a Newfoundler so I don't think I'm biased, although I am from Nova Scotia so I know buckets full of people from The Rock. From my outsider experience, the dialogue and the attitudes they show towards each other are very accurate.

I honestly believe Newfoundlanders are the friendliest people on earth, and you get a taste of that from this series.

Bravo to CBC for putting this on and bravo to the writers and cast for a good, enjoyable, TV show.

Well, I do not know about other viewers,especially from the United States, but I am not from Newfoundland and I love this show. Even though I am a Tom Selleck fan (Magnum P.I), this is the Canadian show to watch.

I watch not just for Allan Hawco, but for the whole entire cast. I have been to NL, and love the scenery. This is my type of action/drama TV series that I like.

The father love between Malachy and Jake is like the motherly love with my Mother. Getting to know more about each of the characters comes back for more. Just in different situations.

Thumbs up Republic of Doyle. Keep it up as I will love this series for the next several years or so.

Just stumbled upon this gem while scrolling through Netflix. Looking for something kinda like Psych...though this is not nearly as good as Psych, it has its own charm and appeal. The women in the show are adorable too, which never hurts. I'm on season 2 and the acting and stories are getting better. I say, give it a few episodes, get to know the characters, and you'll grow to really enjoy it! Peace, Dwayne

At first I was a little skeptical about this series, and certainly the concept is a pretty well-worn one. It has improved with time though as the characters established their roles and the balance between the comic and the serious has settled into something a bit less predictable than it was at the start. Some nice guest roles have helped out as well (Gordon Pinsent, Russell Crowe). If nothing else the series is a wonderful advertisement for the fantastic world of Newfoundland: the houses, the vistas, and most definitely the crazy half-Irish/half-Canadian accents add to the appeal. All in all worth watching, though some might find it a slow burn at first.

Plus, beautiful scenery. Don't mistake this for quality drama, comedy or deep plots. Most of the leads are solid and likable folks. Stories range from incredulous to completely absurd. The local police, especially the females are incompetent drama queens. The character of Leslie Bennet is the worst. She is a one dimensional dimbulb whose partner is a needlessly gruff jerk who has a healthy dislike for the star of the show. Probably because they would NEVER close a case w/o Jake and Malachy's help! Still, a humorous bit of benign entertainment ain't the worst thing in the world, I guess.

I found this lovely gem of a show on Netflix and I must a it's truly excellent! With such a well-balanced, vibrant and stellar cast, I can't figure out why I didn't come across this show sooner.

Allan Hawco does such an amazing job with his portrayal of ex-cop turned private investigator who has an extraordinary knack for solving cases but has more growing up to do when it comes to women. Also, his chemistry with Krystin Pellerin is natural and electric.

This series is loaded with solid plots, great humor, and excellent writing. It's quite frankly a lot better than most American mystery procedural shows that are currently still airing for some reason. If you're looking to binge watch a hidden gem on Netflix then this Canadian produced crime show is definitely worth the time as well as the laughs.

P.S. Look for a few amazing guest star appearances throughout the series run.

The character played by Mark O'Brien, "Des Courtney" ruins the show. Nobody, I mean nobody, would keep such a dullard around them and certainly not in such business as private investigation. It was okay when he was a punk who was into graffiti, but they adopt a grown up who has the character of a 6 year old. After over 3 years, his character hasn't grown and is only more annoying. At the end of the second season I actually cheered when he got shot and there was the likely possibility that he'd die. Aside from that annoying garbage, the rest of the show actually is quite good and would be worth a few more stars. But people like me will fast forward through anything that has him in it. Really-really ruins the show.

Other criticisms. The convenient and annoying cell phone calls in every segue. They need new mechanics. The family uses each other, lies to each other, and the lead character is the only likable character who gets dumped on all the time ... which gets old too. I'm surprised that this ran as long as it did.

The shows worth a watch if you're bored, but as far as great PI shows? No. Not even close.

Canadian actor, Allan Hawco, is a likable PI in this series that ran for six years and can now be seen on Netflix. In partnership with his father, Jake (Hawco) and Malachy Doyle (Sean McGinley) investigate murder, robbery, and other crimes in picturesque St. Johns, Newfoundland. The hour-long show has plenty of action, and lots of humor, a la The Rockford Files with Hawco a younger and studlier version of James Garner. This guy is catnip to women, and skirts the edge of the law to beat the bad guys at their own game. Lots of action, involving the Doyle clan, who are the ultimate crime-solving family. One character, however, consistently strikes a false note and that is Des, a kid who has become part of the family. He's a consistent idiot as a character, highly unfunny simply in the way. Otherwise, this show makes for wonderful binge watching.

Being from Newfoundland originally, I am a bit biased. It is definitely a east coast taste of Starsky and Hutch or Magnum PI. I do love seeing backdrops of home and hearing words from my youth :) The actors do a great job portraying our culture and way of life. It is also great seeing other Newfoundland celebrities and friends of our wonderful province (Russell Crowe for example) on the episodes as guest stars. They all did a wonderful job on their respective episodes!

To a previous reviewer, Chris H.: When you leave Newfoundland, you are never an "ex-Newfoundlander", we always consider Newfoundland and Labrador our home, no matter where we live. It holds a special place in our hearts and anyone who visits there or meets someone from "The Rock".

Great job CBC, you have definitely been putting out some great shows lately!

Absolutely love love the show. Fabulous cast. I am Canadian but never been to newfoundland. The scenery amazing. My favorite show.

I'm in the middle of Season 2 and am enjoying every minute of it. What a wonderful series, especially refreshing because the writing is such a departure from the typical canned, predictable script. The characters are strong, three-dimensional, and charismatic.

The setting is St. Johns, Newfoundland, unique and picturesque. I love the aerial views of the city, especially the shot in the introduction where the camera zooms over the water as it approaches a narrows between two mountainside cliffs.

Jake Doyle is the lead character, a cute and charming ne'er-do-well PI who is always trying to get out of scrapes that are generally of his own making. The series begins with him living at home with his dad (Malachy) and dad's live-in girlfriend (Rose) and somewhat surly teenage niece (Tinny). Additionally, he has to deal with a would-be apprentice, Des, a goofy, awkward, and geeky (smart) lad who is in love with Tinny.

The only problem I had with the series initially was with the female characters, who seemed to be deemed interesting only because of their looks and willing participation in Jake's sexual escapades. The ex-wife was not especially strong, particularly as her ambivalence about Jake became a bit confusing. However, as the series develops, the female characters indeed become three-dimensional, interesting, and strong: Leslie, the female police sergeant; Tinny, whose teenage angst morphs into remarkable self-possession; and the Crown attorney whose name I cannot recall.

I love seeing the evolution of the characters over the episodes, and the interweaving of plot lines throughout the series. The father and Rose seem to be a bit more flatly portrayed, more static rather than dynamic characters.

And about that action: there are plenty of rough-and-tumble fight scenes recalling the good old days of television, as opposed to bang-bang-you're-dead, where the presence of guns tends to dampen the fun.

I love the corny humor (thank you, Des), the unusual accents, Hawco's sweet rubbery babyface, the sense of loyalty and affection among the characters, the whole thing, actually. Highly recommend.

I just finished binge watching Republic of Doyle! All in all, I found the series to be very refreshing! More than anything, I loved the shows strong family values as well as doing the right thing when the world is against you! Strong morals throughout! There are a number of attractive leading ladies throughout the series. Most of them are interested in getting closer with Jake. However, Jake only has eyes for Leslie. For some reason, it takes all 6 seasons for Jake and Leslie to be a family! The main issue I had with the show is the police force has problems with Jake and Doyle & Doyle PI investigations! They regularly serve up solved cases to the police on a silver platter, yet no gratitude to be seen. Various officers are promoted thanks to the Doyles, yet the police consider them enemies! My one gripe is the joke of firearms. Jake doesn't like and doesn't believe in firearms. He doesn't use them and I don't recall him firing one shot throughout the show. As soon as he takes a gun away from a criminal, he empties it immediately. If you watch closely, the firearms rarely have any rounds in them. Safeties are keep on and single action only firearms (1911) aren't often cocked and ready! More than anything, I love the accepting attitude of the Canadians, and willingness to give people second chances! The non-judging values are very healthy and help others to even see the good in themselves!! Did someone say Season 7??

Good show, and mostly all around good acting. Decent stories, intrigue...

Could do without Des... kid annoys me.

lol and from the first time I heard that theme song I had a feeling it would get on my nerves, but it actually makes me laugh at home bad it is... Oh yeah! lol

Still, I watched it all and no regrets...

The characters are what drive this tv show to near perfection, they are all well cast and well acted. The main characters have great chemistry that makes the banter and humor feel effortless. I love Dez so much! Like most shows, some good story arcs some not so good. At times the storyline gets a bit muddled bringing in bigger agencies and conspiracies. But the average one off episodes have well developed storylines. A great show!

Where can I get cool black jacket like Jake Doyle's?

Bad acting, sad 70s plots, how does this stuff get an audience?

It's a great show to watch. It is not too serious, they didn't have to kill off characters to keep it interesting like some. There is some comedy and good actors. You have to use your imagination a little because obviously they cannot fit everything into one show. It's a show you can skip some and continue watching without worrying you missed something. I really enjoyed learning about Newfoundland and it was interesting how the culture is different from where I live. I am watching the whole series a second time. I wish there were more shows out there like this one. Too bad it ended but that way they didn't ruin the story either. I think I would like to visit Newfoundland now that I have seen some of it on this show.

I thoroughly enjoyed this show, and was surprised that I did. The main character, the city of St. John's, Newfoundland, (is a a republic?) was wonderful. The place, the language, the scenery, the homey feel, the small town everyone knowing everyone's business. Watched all 6 seasons, laughed out loud several times which I don't often do, so they pulled off the comedy part really well. Over the course of the sic seasons, the characters go through al ot, and the character arcs are really good. The plot lines of returning characters crescendos in the last two seasons, and speaks to lots of concerns about power grabbing behind the scenes machinations taking over governments, corruption everywhere. Our Republic of Doyle is governed by good ideals, heroes all, though the characters are flawed in many ways. How that plays out in relationships of all kinds is fascinating. There are heart wrenching twists, and soul crushing events a plenty, fights, great cars and car chases, and even though our heroes hate guns and hardly ever use them, there are gun fights, too. The show is both modern and a throw back, a little Magnum PI, some Castle in there as well. The show was fun entertainment, a visit to another land, and facing lots of issues as well. Well worth the watch.