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Trailer

Cardinal

2017 – 2020Show4 seasons24 episodesTV-MA

CrimeDrama
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.8Metacritic716.7Rotten Tomatoes88%81%

A slow-burning, gripping crime series about crime and mystery, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Shows with

Episodes

4 seasons · 24 episodes · best: S1E6 "Catherine" 8.2

Episodes

7.8
7.7
7.9
8.0

Story

Detective John Cardinal attempts to uncover the mystery of what happened to the missing 13-year-old girl whose body is discovered in the shaft-head of an abandoned mine. At the same time, he comes under investigation by his new partner, Lise Delorme, a tough investigator in her own right.

Feels like

  • Nordic Noir Atmosphere
  • Complex Police Procedural
  • Psychological Mystery
  • Dark Family Secrets
  • Character-Driven Drama
  • Slow-Burn Tension
  • Realistic Crime Investigation
  • Emotionally Heavy
  • Twisted Narrative Structure
  • Gritty & Somber

Cast

24 of 81 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Daniel Grou, Jeff Renfroe, Daniel Grou
Written by
Giles Blunt, Aubrey Nealon, Jennica Harper
Produced by
Jessica Daniel
Music by
Todor Kobakov

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 25, 2017 · May 11, 2020 · Ended

First aired
January 25, 2017
Last aired
May 11, 2020
Status
Ended
Length
4 seasons · 24 episodes
Age rating
TV-MA
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language, Drug Use
Genres
Crime, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
Canada
Available in
29 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Gorn, Nothing Is Scarier, It's Personal +9

  • Gorn
  • Nothing Is Scarier
  • It's Personal
  • The Show of the Books
  • Sigil Spam
  • Jurisdiction Friction
  • Mob War
  • What the Hell, Hero?
  • Fair Cop
  • Big Bad Duumvirate
  • Shown Their Work
  • Plot Armor

12 of 31 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Cardinal?"

Questions about Cardinal

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Cardinal?

HuluTubi TVHowdy

In the United States, Cardinal streams on Hulu and Howdy, and it is free with ads on Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 28 other countries.

Is Cardinal worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 71).

How long does it take to watch Cardinal?

17 h

About 17 hours: 24 episodes in 4 seasons of about 43 minutes each, aired from 2017 to 2020.

Will I feel good after watching Cardinal?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

What tropes does Cardinal use?

GornNothing Is ScarierIt's PersonalThe Show of the BooksSigil SpamJurisdiction FrictionMob WarWhat the Hell, Hero?Fair CopBig Bad DuumvirateShown Their WorkPlot Armorand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 tropes for it, including Gorn, Nothing Is Scarier, and It's Personal.