TORONTO — Astronaut Chris Hadfield's next adventure will be a blast to the past with an upcoming guest role on "Murdoch Mysteries."
The retired space veteran will add another notch to his modest acting career through a small part on an episode of the detective series set to air Monday on CBC and CBC Gem.
The storyline follows the pending arrival of Halley’s comet which has left Constable George Crabtree and the constabulary to contend with hysterical citizens portending the end of the world, and a doomsayer who is murdered.
Hadfield plays a self-proclaimed “Rocketman,” who thinks that the populace should instead be embracing the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Hadfield, a former commander of the International Space Station, adds to his small number of TV and film cameos that include roles in “The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Kids in Space,” “Trailer Park Boys: Out of the Park,” and “Corner Gas Animated.”
In a promotional clip, Hadfield says being outfitted in clothing from the 1900s is “a piece of cake" compared to wearing a spacesuit.
“I’ve flown to space three different times with people from many different backgrounds and specialties, languages and cultures, and what you're always looking for is someone who puts the goal ahead of themselves — it's almost like a mystery you're always solving,” he said.
“Can we learn enough in advance and see the symptoms developing that maybe we can head off something really bad happening? I think Murdoch would be a great crewmate on board a spaceship.”
Based on novels by Maureen Jennings, "Murdoch Mysteries" follows young detective William Murdoch in a series of stories taking place in Toronto during the 1890s and early 1900s.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2023.
Noel Ransome, The Canadian Press
